United States · United States Congress · 2 June 1992
Community Bank Regulatory Relief Act of 1992 - Title I: Regulatory Burden Relief - Amends the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 to exempt from its requirements certain small-sized banks located in small towns. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 to exempt certain small-sized banks from its data gathering requirements with respect to their small business and small farm lending practices. Directs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the Board) to complete a study of the costs and benefits of compliance with such data-gathering requirements. Prohibits a bank regulatory agency from prescribing standards or regulations that set a specific level or range of compensation for bank personnel. Amends the Truth in Lending Act to: (1) exempt from its requirements credit transactions involving consumers with certain high incomes or net worth (sophisticated consumers); (2) preclude rescission in a transaction containing an unintentional error that does not substantively affect the terms of the extension of credit; and (3) deny standing to sue creditors to anyone but an individual aggrieved by a violation of the Act (thus eliminating class actions). Amends the Federal Reserve Act to: (1) exempt from its interbank liability scheme exposures between certain adequately capitalized small-sized depository institutions; and (2) exempt from its aggregate limits on credit extensions certain transactions by a member bank with senior executive personnel or principal shareholders (insider lending). Amends the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 to authorize Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies and the Resolution Trust Corporation to establish a threshold level below which a certified or licensed appraiser is not required to perform appraisals in connection with federally related transactions. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to repeal: (1) the independent public accountant attestation requirement; and (2) the asset quality, earnings, and valuation requirements. Declares that during a 15-month moratorium no regulations issued under the Truth in Savings Act shall apply to certain small-sized depository institutions. Requires the Board to conduct a full cost benefit analysis of the compliance of such institutions with the Act. Requires a detailed corroboration to accompany any Federal banking regulatory agency certification that a proposed or final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of all small depository institutions. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to require Federal banking regulatory agencies to: (1) undertake a coordinated review of regulations promulgated by them; and (2) ensure that their regulations are uniform with those of their Federal counterparts. Title II: Secured Creditor Protection - Asset Conservation and Deposit Insurance Protection Act of 1992 - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to set forth conditions under which the liability of an insured depository institution or mortgage lender for the actual or threatened release of petroleum or hazardous substances in connection with certain property is limited to the actual benefit conferred upon them by the remedial action undertaken by another party. Shields an insured depository institution or mortgage lender from liability for such hazards if their relationship to the affected property stems solely from foreclosure, fiduciary capacity, or certain credit transactions. Requires the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to promulgate regulations to require insured depository institutions and mortgage lenders to develop and implement procedures to evaluate environmental risks that may arise from property before making an extension of credit involving a security interest in the property. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to shield Federal banking and lending agencies from liability under any law imposing strict liability for the actual or threatened release of petroleum or a hazardous substance from property acquired in connection with the exercise of receivership or conservatorship authority, the provision of financial assistance, or receipt of property in a civil or criminal proceeding. Extends such liability limitation to certain subsequent first purchasers of such property. Exempts: (1) such property from any liens for damages associated with actual or threatened petroleum or hazardous substance release; and (2) Federal banking or lending agencies from covenants to remediate.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1992
Mike Mansfield Fellowship Act - Establishes the Mike Mansfield Fellowship Program. Directs the Secretary of State (Secretary) to make grants to the Mansfield Center for Pacific Affairs (Center) to award two-year fellowships to eligible Federal employees. Requires fellowship recipients (Mansfield Fellows): (1) during their first year, to study, in Washington, D.C., the Japanese language and political economy; and (2) during their second year, to serve as a Fellow in a parliamentary office, ministry, or other agency of the Government of Japan, or, subject to Center approval, a nongovernmental Japanese institution associated with the recipient's interests. Requires the Center to comply with specified program requirements in order to be eligible for such grants. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into an arrangement with the Government of Japan to place Fellows in that Government. Authorizes the Foreign Service Institute to assist in carrying out Japanese language training by the Center through providing classroom space, teaching materials, and facilities, insofar as this is not detrimental to the Institute's other responsibilities. Authorizes the Center to accept and use gifts from private sources for such program, subject to review and approval of the Mansfield Fellowship Review Board. Provides that specified amounts from Department of State funds shall be available to the Secretary to make program grants to the Center for FY 1993 through 1996. Sets forth program requirements. Requires that the Federal employees eligible for such fellowships have: (1) at least two years experience in any branch of the U.S. Government; and (2) a strong career interest in U.S.-Japan relations and a commitment to further Federal service. Requires that at least ten such fellowships be awarded annually. Prohibits Mansfield Fellows from engaging in any intelligence or intelligence-related activity on behalf of the U.S. Government. Allows Federal agencies to separate from service such Fellows for a specified period, but requires that: (1) Fellows be reemployed or reinstated in an appropriate position and with all attendant rights and benefits as they would have acquired if they had not been so separated; and (2) they continue to participate during the fellowship period, as if they were not separated, in specified programs for health and life insurance, workers' compensation leave, and retirement (with employer contributions to be made by the Center, and employee deductions to be taken from fellowship stipends). Establishes the Mansfield Fellowship Review Board to review program administration and submit annual reports. Authorizes appropriations for the Board.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1992
Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research on Space and Aeronautics Act - Directs the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), using the National Science Foundation infrastructure, to make grants (and supplemental grants) to eligible States in areas of research important to NASA. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1992
Economic Growth and Affordable Housing Act of 1992 - Title I: First-Time Homebuyer Credit - Allows a first-time homebuyer who purchases a principal residence a tax credit of ten percent of the purchase price, not to exceed $5,000. Limits such credit to one residence and requires acquisition between December 31, 1992, and January 1,1993. Title II: Modifications of Passive Loss Rules - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the treatment of rental and nonrental real estate activities under the limitations on losses from passive activities. Title III: Penalty-Free Distributions From IRA's for First Homes - Allows penalty-free withdrawals from individual retirement plans for a first-home purchase. Title IV: Low-Income Housing Credit and Qualified Mortgage Bonds - Makes the low-income housing credit permanent law. Expands the ten-year anti-churning rule waiver to certain projects substantially assisted, financed, or operated under the National Housing Act. Allows units occupied by certain full-time students to qualify for such credit. Authorizes the Treasury Department to waive penalties for certain de minimis errors and recertifications. Requires that certain community service facilities in projects in qualified census tracts be included in the eligible basis as functionally related and subordinate facilities. Permanently extends the period during which qualified mortgage bonds and mortgage credit certificates may be issued. Title V: Enterprise Zones - Subtitle A: Designation of Enterprise Zones - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to designate enterprise zones for purposes of providing tax and regulatory relief and improving local services. Limits choices to areas nominated by States and local governments. Limits the total number of areas that may be designated, and the time period of the designation. Authorizes the Secretary to designate a zone only if the area meets certain locational, demographic, unemployment, and poverty criteria. Requires nominating local governments, as a condition of the Secretary's designation, to agree in writing to follow a course of action that may include reducing tax rates, improving local services, simplifying or streamlining regulation of business, and providing job training to area residents. Describes areas to which the Secretary must give preference in selecting areas for designation. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress every two years on the effects of such enterprise zones' designation in accomplishing the purposes of this Act. Subtitle B: Federal Income Tax Incentives - Allows a nonrefundable income tax credit to enterprise zone employees for five percent of any wages earned that do not exceed a specified amount. Phases out such credit. Provides for the nonrecognition of capital gain on the sale of enterprise zone property. Allows a taxpayer a deduction on the aggregate amount paid for the purchase of enterprise stock on its original issue by a qualified issuer. Requires any gain from the disposition of the stock to be treated as ordinary income. Excludes enterprise zone capital gains from income computation of alternative minimum taxes. Subtitle C: Regulatory Flexibility - Amends Federal law to revise the definition of "small entity" for purposes of the analysis of regulatory functions to include qualified business, government, and nonprofit enterprises operating within enterprise zones. Authorizes Federal agencies, upon request by a designating government, to waive or modify rules and regulations pertaining to the implementation of projects or activities within an enterprise zone. Requires agencies to approve the request if the resulting benefits of job creation, community development, or economic revitalization outweigh the public interest in retaining the rule unchanged. Disallows waiver or modification of a rule that would directly violate a statutory requirement or present a danger to the public health and safety. Subtitle D: Establishment of Foreign-Trade Zones in Enterprise Zones - Requires the Foreign-Trade Zone Board to consider on a priority basis and to expedite the processing of applications for the establishment of foreign-trade zones within enterprise zones. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to give priority to, and expedite applications for, the establishment of ports of entry necessary to establish such zones. Subtitle E: Repeal of Title VII of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987 - Repeals title VII (enterprise zone development) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1992
Designates August 1, 1992, the 17th anniversary of the signing of the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (the Helsinki accords), as Helsinki Human Rights Day. Calls upon the President to: (1) issue a proclamation reasserting the U.S. commitment to full implementation of the Act, urging all signatory states to abide by their obligations under the Helsinki accords; (2) continue his efforts to achieve full implementation of the human rights and humanitarian provisions of the Helsinki accords by raising the issue of noncompliance on the part of any signatory State which may be in violation; (3) convey to all signatories that respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms continues to be a vital element of further progress in the ongoing Helsinki process; and (4) in view of the considerable progress made to date, develop new proposals to advance the human rights objectives of the Helsinki process, and in so doing address the major problems that remain.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1992
Designates February 21 through February 27, 1993, as American Wine Appreciation Week. Commends the winegrape and fruit growers and vintners of the United States for the production of high quality agricultural products.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1992
Nonconventional Fuels Act of 1992 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the limitation on the use of the credit for producing fuel from a nonconventional source. Permits carryforwards of unused credits. Makes such credit permanent.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1992
Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue a specified number of one-dollar silver coins to commemorate the heroic service of veterans who served during the Vietnam War and the 10th anniversary of the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Sets forth certain features of such coins and provides for their design, issuance, and sale. Requires that all sales include a surcharge of $7 per coin. Requires that all surcharges be paid to the Vietnam Veterans Assistance Fund for specified veteran programs and services.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1992
Title I: Extension of Unemployment Benefits - Amends the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 1991 (Public Law 102-164, as amended) to extend the emergency unemployment compensation (EUC) program. Changes the EUC program termination date (currently July 4, 1992) to March 6, 1993. Provides for phaseout reductions of such benefits for weeks beginning after June 12, 1992, and for weeks beginning after January 3, 1993. (Provides, therefore, up to: (1) 33 weeks of EUC benefits in certain high-unemployment States and 26 weeks in all other States, respectively, for claimants for weeks beginning prior to June 13, 1992; (2) 20 or 13 weeks, respectively, for new claimants for weeks beginning on or after such date; and (3) 10 or 7 weeks, respectively, for new claimants for weeks beginning on or after January 3, 1993, until March 6, 1993.) Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to authorize certain advances to the extended unemployment compensation account to pay for emergency unemployment compensation benefits. Amends SSA to require the first Advisory Council on Unemployment Compensation to study and report with recommendations (by February 1, 1993) on certain proposed permanent changes in the extended benefits program under the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970. Title II: Revenue Provisions - Subtitle A: General Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to apply mark-to-market accounting method rules for certain securities held by dealers in securities (with specified exceptions for certain types of securities such as those held for investment or as a hedge). Requires taking into account for tax deduction determinations: (1) certain Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation (FSLIC) assistance as compensation for loss; and (2) any FSLIC assistance for any debt for determining whether such debt is worthless and in determining the amount of any addition to a reserve for bad debts arising from such worthlessness or partial worthlessness. Revises the IRC for individual estimated tax payments. Changes (for taxable year years 1993 through 1996) from 100 to 115 percent of the preceding year's tax liability the amount of the timely estimated payaments which an individual must make to qualify for a "safe harbor" alternative in making such estimated payments. Repeals special rules which denied the use of such last year's liability safe harbor for certain individuals with significant increases in tax liability from one year to the next. Subtitle B: Alternative Taxable Years - Revises the IRC with respect to electing alternative taxable years. Allows a partnership, S corporation, or personal service corporation to elect a taxable year other than the required taxable year if the annual financial statements (if any) of the entity used for credit purposes or provided to the partners, shareholders, or other proprietors of the entity are based on a fiscal year ending in the same month as the taxable year elected. Increases the amount of the required payment that must be made by a partnership or S corporation that elects a taxable year other than the required taxable year. Requires an additional payment for any taxable year that a partnership or S corporation first makes or changes a taxable year election to increase the deferral period.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1992
Senior Home Care Choice Fairness and Improvement Act of 1992 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) provide for the application of Medicaid spousal impoverishment rules to spouses of individuals receiving home- or community-based services; (2) increase the number of individuals allowed to receive such services; and (3) require hospitals to inform Medicaid patients of the availability of home care services and, in a State operating under a waiver program, to inform them of the availability of home- and community-based services. Mirrors such requirement with respect to Medicare (SSA title XVIII) patients. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study and report to the Congress on the costs of home health care.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1992
Equitable Health Care for Severe Mental Illnesses Act of 1992 - Declares that it is the policy of the United States that: (1) persons with severe mental illnesses must not be discriminated against in health care; and (2) health care coverage, provided through any financing, must provide for the treatment of severe mental illnesses in a way that is equitable and commensurate with that provided for other major illnesses. Designates as consistent with that policy any plan which incorporates specified elements.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1992
Medicare Geographic Data Accuracy Act of 1992 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to consult with State medical societies in revising the geographic adjustment factors used to determine reimbursements for physician services under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of Medicare. Requires the Secretary to base geographic-cost-of-practice indices under Medicare upon the most recent available data.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1992
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to allow, on order of a veterinarian: (1) a new animal drug approved for one use to be used for a different purpose; and (2) a new drug approved for human use to be used in non-food producing animals.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1992
Congratulates the residents of Jerusalem and the people of Israel on the 25th anniversary of the reunification of that city. Urges that: (1) Jerusalem remain an undivided city in which the rights of every ethnic and religious group are protected; and (2) the President and Secretary of State issue an unequivocal statement in support of such principle.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1992
Petroleum Marketing Practices Act Amendments of 1992 - Amends the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act to allow as grounds for nonrenewal of a franchise relationship the failure of the parties to agree to changes to the franchise provisions as long as such failure is not the result of the franchisor's insistence for the purpose of converting a franchisee operation into one operated by the franchisor's employees or agents (that is, turning the franchise into a company-owned station). Prohibits a State or any political subdivision from implementing any law or regulation which requires payment for a franchisee's goodwill upon either termination or nonrenewal of a franchise. Permits State law to specify the terms and conditions under which a franchise or franchise relationship may be transferred to a franchisee's designated successor upon the franchisee's death. Requires a franchisor that does not wish to exercise its underlying lease options to lease or purchase the marketing premises, to offer to assign them to the franchisee as a prerequisite to termination or nonrenewal of the franchise relationship. Bars a franchisor from requiring, as a condition of the franchise relationship, that the franchisee waive or release its rights under Federal or State law. Declares invalid and unenforceable any franchise provision which specifies that franchise interpretation or enforcement shall be governed by the law of any State other than the one in which the franchisee has its principal place of business.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1992
Amtrak Authorization Act of 1992 - Amends the Rail Passenger Service Act to authorize FY 1993 through 1995 appropriations for the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK), including funds for: (1) operating expenses for the core system and new State-supported service; and (2) mandatory payments for railroad retirement benefits and railroad unemployment insurance obligations in excess of those calculated on an experience-rated basis. Requires that one of the two members of the AMTRAK Board of Directors who are appointed by the preferred stockholders be: (1) specially qualified to represent the interests of rail passengers (consumers); and (2) selected from among three qualified nominees of the National Association of Railroad Passengers. Changes the designation "President" of AMTRAK to "Chief Executive Officer." Eliminates the requirement that AMTRAK's articles of incorporation be amended for issuance of preferred stock required to be issued annually to the United States. Extends to subsidiaries and lessors and lessees (thus permitting sale/lease back transactions) AMTRAK's current exemption from additional taxes for expenditures to acquire or improve real property, equipment, facilities, or rights-of-way material or structures used in the provisions of rail passenger service. Authorizes AMTRAK to consider discontinuance, modification, or adjustment of any commuter service which, on or after October 1, 1993, exceeds in any previous six-month period the average loss per passenger mile for short-distance AMTRAK route service during such period. Requires AMTRAK to solicit public comment on alternatives to any such action before taking it. Directs AMTRAK to: (1) develop, and report to the Congress on, a plan for demonstrating high-speed rail technologies; and (2) give technical assistance to State and regional partnerships, study groups, private sector representatives, and other entities that seek to advance high-speed rail service through equipment upgrades and incremental infrastructure improvements on existing railroad facilities used by AMTRAK outside the Northeast Corridor. Requires AMTRAK periodically to recommend eliminating highway at-grade crossings to the Secretary of Transportation. Requires the Secretary to develop a plan for eliminating all such crossings along the main line of the Northeast Corridor, except in specified circumstances, by December 31, 1997. Requires AMTRAK to pay 20 percent of the cost of such eliminations. Directs AMTRAK to form a task force to consider recommendations for improving emergency training and performance (including first-aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, passenger evacuation, and disaster reponse) of on-board service and operating crew members. Requires a report to the Congress of task force findings and actions taken and recommended.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1992
High Value Economic Growth Act of 1992 - Title I: Economic Growth Incentives - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a first-time homebuyer who purchases a principal residence a tax credit of ten percent of the purposes price of such residence. Limits the credit to $5,000. Requires married individuals filing jointly to both be first-time homebuyers. Makes this credit applicable to residences acquired after February 1, 1992, and before January 1, 1993, or for which a binding contract is entered into during such period. Allows an additional depreciation deduction of 15 percent of the adjusted basis of equipment: (1) for which the original use commences with the taxpayer on or after February 1, 1992; (2) which is acquired by the taxpayer on or after February 1, 1992, and before January 1, 1993; and (3) which is placed in service before July 1, 1993. Requires such deduction to be taken in the taxable year after the year property was placed in service. Allows the special deduction in computing the alternative minimum tax. Allows penalty free-withdrawals from qualified retirement plans during 1992 for: (1) the acquisition costs of a principal residence of a first-time homebuyer who is the taxpayer or the child or grandchild of the taxpayer; or (2) the purchase of a new passenger automobile. Excludes certain rental real estate activities from treatment as a passive activity for purposes of determining passive activity losses and credits. Modifies exceptions to the exclusion of real property acquired by a qualified organization from the meaning of acquisition indebtedness. Makes certain exceptions inapplicable to sales out of foreclosure by a financial institution. Applies the meaning of acquisition indebtedness to investments in certain large partnerships where the principal purpose of partnership allocations is not tax avoidance. Repeals the special rule for publicly traded partnerships with respect to the treatment of unrelated business taxable income. Title II: Revenue Offsets - Subtitle A: General Provisions - Amends the Higher Education Technical Amendments of 1991 to eliminate the statute of limitations on the collection of guaranteed student loans. Increases the base tax rate on ozone-depleting chemicals. Eliminates the different rates for initially listed chemicals and newly listed chemicals. Requires dealers in stock or securities to use the mark to market inventory accounting methods. Disallows interest on overpayments when certain refunds have been made. Subtitle B: Electromagnetic Spectrum Function - Emerging Telecommunications Technologies Act of 1992 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce and the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), at least semiannually, to conduct joint spectrum planning meetings with respect to: (1) future spectrum needs; (2) the spectrum allocations necessary to accommodate those needs; and (3) actions necessary to promote the efficient use of the spectrum. Directs the Secretary and the Chairman to report annually to the President on the joint spectrum planning meetings and any resulting recommendations. Directs the Secretary to submit to the President a report identifying bands of frequencies that: (1) are allocated on a primary basis for Federal Government use and eligible for licensing pursuant to the Communications Act of 1934 (the Act); (2) are not required for the present or identifiable future needs of the Government; (3) can feasibly be made available during the next fifteen years for use under the Act for non-Government users; (4) will not result in excessive losses to the Government in relations to benefits that may be obtained through non-Government users; and (5) are likely to have significant value for non-Government users under the Act. Sets forth criteria for identifying, and recommending for reassignment, such frequencies. Requires the Secretary to submit to the President a report which makes a preliminary identification of reallocable bands of frequencies. Directs the Secretary to convene a private sector advisory committee to: (1) revise the bands of frequencies identified in the preliminary report; (2) advise the Secretary with respect to the bands of frequencies which should be included in the final report; (3) receive public comment on the reports; and (4) prepare and submit such report. Directs the advisory committee to submit to the Secretary, the FCC, and specified congressional committees recommendations for the reform of the process of allocating the electromagnetic spectrum between Federal and non-Federal use. Directs the Secretary, as part of the final report, to include a time-table for the effective dates by which the President shall, within 15 years, withdraw or limit assignments on frequencies specified in the report. Directs the President, after receiving the final report from the Secretary, to: (1) withdraw or limit the assignment to a Government station of any frequency which such report recommends for reallocation; (2) withdraw or limit the assignment to a Government station of any frequency which such report recommends to be reallocated or made available for mixed use; (3) assign or reassign other frequencies to Government stations as necessary to adjust to such withdrawal or limitation of assignments; and (4) publish in the Federal Register a notice and description of all such actions taken. Authorizes the President to substitute alternative frequencies in the interest of national security, important Governmental needs, public health or safety, or Federal financial considerations. Provides for the reimbursement to non-Government licensees, or non-Government entities operating on behalf of a Government licensee, for the incremental costs directly attributable to the loss of the use of the frequency reassigned or otherwise limited under this Act. Authorizes appropriations to provide such reimbursements. Directs the FCC, at specified intervals, to: (1) complete a public notice and comment proceeding regarding the allocation of the initial spectrum to be reassigned, and to formulate a plan to assign such spectrum pursuant to competitive bidding procedures; and (2) complete a public notice and comment proceeding, and prepare and report to the President a plan for the distribution under the Act, of the frequency bands reallocated pursuant to this Act. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to officially authorize the FCC to assign the frequencies reallocated from Government to non-Government use under this Act. Makes certain frequency reassignments available only to the extent provided in appropriations Acts. Authorizes the President to reclaim reassigned frequencies for reassignment to Government stations. Sets forth procedures for reclaiming frequencies. Directs the FCC to use competitive bidding procedures during spectrum reallocation pursuant to this Act. Outlines other procedures to be followed by the FCC with regard to permits and licenses relating to such frequency reallocation awards. Outlines specified instances when competitive bidding procedures shall not be required. Subtitle C: Other Provisions - Amends Federal law to extend provisions regarding lump sum withdrawal of retirement contributions for civil service retirees from October 1995 to October 1996. Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 to extend the collection of Patent and Trademark Office user fees from 1995 to 1996. Establishes the amount to be collected in 1996. Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 to provide an extension of customs user fees from 1995 to 1996. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the requirement for information returns on veterans benefits from September 30, 1992, until September 30, 1998. Revises military law with respect to housing loan default procedure to take into account losses sustained on the resale of property. Amends the Social Security Act and Federal law to apply certain Medicare limits to the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program for enrollees aged 65 or older.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1992
Rural Health Care Improvement Act of 1992 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish a program of grants for residency or service by primary care or general practice physicians in rural medically underserved areas. Authorizes appropriations. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to phase out incentive payments for physicians' services furnished in areas previously designated as health professional shortage areas which no longer meet the requirements to be so designated. Requires that any individual receiving assistance under any Federal educational loan program who enters a medical residency program and provides primary care in a rural area receive a deferment on loan repayment until completion of the residency. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax deduction for interest on educational loans under certain provisions of the Social Security Act which accrues while a physician is serving in a health professional shortage area. Amends the Social Security Act to extend the termination date of provisions regulating Medicare payments to small, rural, Medicare-dependent hospitals. Modifies requirements for qualifying as such a hospital during the extended period.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1992
Child Support Tax Equity Act of 1992 - Declares that nothing in this Act should be construed to affect the right of an individual or State to receive child support payments or the obligation of an individual to pay child support. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a nonbusiness bad debt deduction for unpaid child support payments. Limits such deduction to $10,000 per child. Allows such deduction to taxpayers whose gross income does not exceed $40,000 and who are owed payments of at least $500. Requires payments to be delinquent during the entire taxable year. Provides a cost-of-living adjustment for amounts under this Act. Requires subsequent payments to be included in the gross income of the recipient. Requires any taxable unpaid child support payments of a taxpayer to be treated as amounts includible in gross income by reason of the discharge of indebtedness of the taxpayer. Allows a deduction for subsequently made payments.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1992
John Heinz Competitive Excellence Award Act of 1992 - Establishes the John Heinz Excellence Award, to be evidenced by a national medal coined and provided to the U.S. Senate by the U.S. Mint. Allows two such separate awards to be presented annually (one to a qualifying individual, including Federal, State, or local government employees, and one to a qualifying organization, institution, or business). Prohibits presentation of an award within a category in a given year if there is no qualified individual, organization, institution, or business recommended by the selection panel established by this Act. Sets forth qualification criteria for such awards. Requires the Senate majority and minority leaders to present such award to an individual and an organization, institution, or business that has demonstrated excellence in promoting U.S. industrial competitiveness in the international marketplace through technological innovation, productivity improvement, or improved competitive strategies. Directs the Office of Technology Assessment to: (1) ensure that all nominees receive a detailed summary of any evaluation conducted of such nominee; and (2) make available to the nominee and the public a summary of each award winner's competitiveness strategy (excluding proprietary information unless the award winner consents).
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1992
Declares that the Congress supports the presentation of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor on April 26, 1992, to initiate the centennial celebration of the opening of the Island.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1992
National Children's Advocacy Program Act of 1992 - Requires the Director of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, in coordination with the Director of the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, to establish a national children's advocacy program of centers to provide information, services, and assistance so that communities can establish multidisciplinary programs that respond to child abuse. Provides for solicitation of proposals from applicants to operate such centers, proposal criteria, management plans, selection of proposals, funding of the centers, and program coordination. Requires regular monitoring and evaluation of each center's activities, annual reports, discontinuation of funding in cases of failure to implement program activities, and solicitation of new proposals upon discontinuation of funding for any center. Requires the two Directors to: (1) establish a children's advocacy advisory board to develop identified goals and program objectives; and (2) review annually the solicitation and selection process and program activities of each center. Directs the Attorney General and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to send to the Congress an annual, detailed review of the progress of such program activities. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1992
National Triad Program Act - Requires the Director of the National Institute of Justice to conduct a national assessment of: (1) the nature and extent of crimes against the elderly; (2) the needs of law enforcement, health, and social service organizations in working to prevent, identify, investigate, and provide assistance to victims of such crimes; and (3) promising strategies to respond effectively to those challenges. Specifies that such assessment shall address: (1) the analysis and synthesis of data from a range of sources; (2) the problems of elderly who are living alone or in high crime areas and who are abused and neglected, and the fear of victimization; (3) the identification of strategies and techniques that have been shown to be effective or which show promise; (4) the analysis of the factors that enhance or inhibit development of a coordinated response by law enforcement, health care, and social service providers; and (5) the research agenda needed to develop a comprehensive understanding of the problems of crimes against the elderly. Requires the Director to disseminate the results of such assessment. Authorizes the Director to make awards to coalitions of local law enforcement agencies, victim service providers, and organizations representing the elderly for pilot programs and field tests of promising strategies and models for forging partnerships for crime prevention and service provision. Specifies that pilot programs funded under this Act may include existing general service coalitions of law enforcement, victim service, and elder advocate organizations that wish to use additional funds to work at a particular problem in their community or to target a particular geographic area in need of intensive services. Authorizes the Director to make awards to: (1) coalitions of national law enforcement, victim service, and elder advocate organizations for training and technical assistance in implementing pilot programs; (2) research organizations to investigate the types of elder victimization shown by the assessment to present particularly critical problems or emerging crimes about which little is known, to evaluate the effectiveness of selected pilot programs, and to conduct research and development identified as being critical; and (3) public service advertising coalitions to increase public awareness of, and promote ideas or programs to prevent, crimes against the elderly. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1992
Medicare-Dependent Hospital Relief Act of 1992 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend through March 31, 1994 (currently, 1993) special payments under part A of Medicare for the operating costs of inpatient services of small, rural Medicare-dependent hospitals.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1992
Every Fifth Child Act - Makes appropriations for FY 1993, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, in specified amounts to begin a phase-in toward full funding of: (1) the special supplemental food program for women, infants, and children (WIC) under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966; (2) Head Start programs under the Head Start Act; and (3) the Job Corps program under the Job Training Partnership Act. Expresses the sense of the Congress that such programs should receive specified minimum levels of funding to allow: (1) the WIC program to be fully funded through FY 1996; (2) Head Start programs to be fully funded through FY 1998; and (3) the Job Corps to establish at least 50 additional centers and serve at least 50 percent more of low-income disadvantaged youth by the year 2000.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1992
Declares that it is the purpose of this Act to acquire a dedicated communications satellite system on which instructional programming can be colocated and free from preemption. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to guarantee any lender against loss of principal or interest on a loan made by the lender to a non-Federal, nonprofit, public corporation: (1) in existence as of January 1, 1992; (2) whose charter is designed for affiliation with State and local instructional institutions and other instructional resource providers; (3) whose governing board includes members representing specified types of education and institutions; and (4) whose sole purpose is to acquire and operate a communications satellite system dedicated to transmitting instructional programming. Sets forth conditions on such loans as well as limitations on amounts. Requires lenders, in order to receive guarantees, to agree to assign to the United States any right or interest in the system that such lender possesses upon payment by the Secretary on the guarantee. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1992
Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to make it unlawful for owners or operators of landfills, incinerators, or other waste disposal facilities in a State from receiving municipal solid waste generated outside the State unless they obtain authorization from the affected local government or meet other conditions under this Act. Requires local governments to notify the State Governor of such authorization. Permits a State Governor to disapprove an authorizations if the authorization will result in the disposal of municipal solid waste generated outside of the State in an amount exceeding 30 percent of the total volume of such waste disposed of in the State in the preceding year. Authorizes local governments, in issuing such authorizations, to impose fees and limitations on the amount of waste received for disposal. Terminates an authorization if a facility's operating permit is revoked or suspended or if a permit renewal application is denied. Exempts from this Act's prohibition owners or operators of landfills that: (1) meet certain State and Federal requirements concerning design standards, leachate collection, groundwater monitoring, and financial assurance for closure and corrective action; (2) received waste generated outside the State in a manner consistent with a written contract during February 1992; and (3) for each year between 1992 and 1996, did not receive municipal solid waste generated outside the State in an amount exceeding the total amount received in 1991. Exempts owners or operators of incinerators or other waste disposal facilities that meet the contract requirements and amount limitations applicable to landfills, as well as new source performance standards and other requirements of the Clean Air Act. Considers expansions of landfills, incinerators, or waste disposal facilities to be separate facilities requiring authorization. Exempts owners or operators of such facilities from the requirement to obtain additional authorizations if: (1) at the time they obtained authorization, they owned or possessed an option to purchase the land on which the expansion is proposed to occur; and (2) the area of expansion was indicated in documents filed with the affected local government before obtaining authorization. Directs State Governors to submit State municipal solid waste management plans to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Requires such plans to cover a period of at least ten years and to be reviewed by the Governor at least every five years. Makes it unlawful for owners or operators of landfills, incinerators, or other waste disposal facilities to receive municipal solid waste generated in another State if the exporting State does not have an approved plan. Permits such owners or operators located in a State without an approved plan to receive municipal solid waste generated outside the State if the exporting State has a plan in effect. Prescribes civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Authorizes States to impose fees for the disposal of solid waste generated outside the State if the fee does not exceed $10 per ton of waste disposal and the State uses such amounts to fund solid waste management activities.
![Official portrait of Sen. Burns, Conrad R. [R-MT]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b001126_200.jpg)