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United States · Official source
2,937 records where Rep. Cohen, William S. [R-ME-2] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1996
Designates November 1996 as National American Indian Heritage Month.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1996
Designates the U.S. Post Office building located at 22 Parkway South, Brewer, Maine, as the Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain Post Office Building.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1996
Jackie Robinson Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) mint and issue one-dollar silver coins emblematic of Jackie Robinson in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the breaking of the color barrier in major league baseball; and (2) distribute surcharge proceeds to the Jackie Robinson Foundation to enhance its education and youth leadership programs, and increase the availability of scholarships for economically disadvantaged youths. Prescribes conditions for payment of such surcharges, including a proscription against Foundation compensation to any agent or attorney for services rendered to support or influence legislative action of the Congress relating to the coins minted and issued under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1996
Highway Funding Fairness Act of 1996 - Requires the Secretary of Transportation, for FY 1997, to determine the Federal-aid highway apportionments and allocations to a State without regard to the approximately $1.596 billion credit to the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) of estimated taxes paid by States that was made by the Secretary of the Treasury for FY 1995 in correction of an accounting error made in FY 1994. Requires the Secretary, for each State, to: (1) determine whether the State would have been apportioned and allocated an increased or decreased amount for Federal-aid highways for FY 1996 if such error had not been made; and (2) adjust such amount for FY 1997 by the amount of the increase or decrease and to adjust accordingly the obligation limitation for Federal-aid highways distributed to the State under provisions of the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1997. States that nothing in this Act shall affect any apportionment, allocation, or distribution of obligation limitation, or reduction thereof, to a State for Federal-aid highways for FY 1996.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1996
Commends Operation Sail and encourages its continuation into the next millennium. Encourages all individuals to join in the celebration of the 224th birthday of the United States of America and the international camaraderie that Operation Sail and the International Naval Review will foster.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1996
Designates room S. 131 in the U.S. Capitol Building as the Mark O. Hatfield Room.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1996
Designates October 18, 1996, as National Mammography Day.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1996
Agricultural Trade Reform Act of 1996 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to include within the definition of "domestic industry" the producers of a like or directly competitive perishable agricultural, citrus, or potato product, in a specific geographic area of the United States whose collective production of such article constitutes a significant proportion of its total domestic production. Authorizes the International Trade Commission (ITC) to treat as a domestic industry only that portion of the production of such products located in such geographic area. Amends provisional relief guidelines to require the ITC to expedite its determination procedure upon request by either the President or the U.S. Trade Representative (or a resolution adopted by either of two specified congressional committees), stating that provisional relief may be necessary to prevent or remedy actual or threatened serious injury to the domestic industry. Cites conditions under which the ITC may waive the 90-day monitoring requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1996
Requires a referendum to be held by December 31, 1998, on Puerto Rico's path to self-determination either through preserving its current political status, U.S. statehood, or separate sovereignty (independence or free association). Sets forth specified requirements with respect to the referendum and congressional procedures for consideration of legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1996
Medicare Hospice Benefit Amendments of 1996 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to hospice care to: (1) restructure the hospice care benefit period; (2) cover ambulance services, diagnostic tests, and anticancer chemotherapy and radiation therapy services; (3) permit contracting with independent physicians or physician groups for hospice care services; (4) allow waiver of certain staffing requirements for hospice care programs in non- urbanized areas; (5) define coverage denial, with respect to the limitation on the liability of beneficiaries and providers, to mean a determination that an individual is not terminally ill; and (6) extend the period for physician certification of an individual's terminal illness.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1996
Commends Operation Sail and encourages its continuation into the next millennium. Encourages all individuals to join in the celebration of the 224th birthday of the United States of America and the international camaraderie that Operation Sail and the International Naval Review will foster.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1996
Designates October 10, 1996, as the Day of National Concern About Young People and Gun Violence.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1996
Emergency Safeguard Act of 1996 - Declares that: (1) no more than 50 percent of the total square meter equivalents of wool apparel assembled in Canada and eligible for preferential duty treatment under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption during any year shall be tailored wool; and (2) no more than 50 percent of such sublimit shall be men's and boys' wool suits, wool sport coats, or wool slacks. Grants nondiscriminatory (most-favored-nation) treatment of Canadian tailored wool apparel that is eligible for preferential duty treatment under NAFTA.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1996
Commission on Retirement Income Policy Act of 1996 - Establishes the Commission on Retirement Income Policy to study and report to the President and Congress on: (1) trends in retirement savings in the United States; (2) existing Federal incentives and programs to encourage and protect such savings; and (3) new Federal incentives and programs needed for such purpose. Requires the Commission to address specified issues and to include in its recommendation measures addressing specified needs of future retirees. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1996
Customs Enforcement and Market Access Act of 1996 - Directs the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), whenever the United States negotiates a protocol for accession of a country to the World Trade Organization (WTO), to negotiate for inclusion in that protocol: (1) provisions for effective market access to that country's domestic markets for U.S. textile and apparel products; and (2) provisions allowing the suspension or revocation of paragraph 14 (relating to increasing import levels based on growth rates) of the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing, if the country has failed to enforce such market access provisions. Requires negotiation of bilateral agreements containing similar provisions with countries that are not WTO members. (Sec. 3) Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to direct the USTR to identify annually, report to the Congress, and publish in the Federal Register the names of priority foreign countries that deny fair and equitable market access to U.S. persons producing or selling textile or apparel products. (Sec. 4) Establishes in the Treasury a Textile Global Competitiveness Research Fund, consisting in part of fines levied under this Act, and whose amounts shall be available: (1) for programs aimed at enhancing the international competitiveness of the United States textile and apparel manufacturers; and (2) to the Customs Service for the enforcement of laws governing trade in textile and apparel goods. (Sec. 5) Directs the USTR to take necessary steps to negotiate a quota agreement with any non-WTO country whose exports to the United States exceed $100 million annually, or are creating serious damage or the actual threat of it to the U.S. textile and apparel industry. Specifies: (1) a quota formula for new textile agreements with non-WTO countries which already have a textile agreement with the United States; and (2) provisions for inclusion in the accession protocol of countries acceding to the WTO. (Sec. 6) Requires the USTR to ensure that any protocol under negotiation for accession to the WTO of a non-WTO country with a textile import bilateral agreement with the United States, as well as any subsequent agreement, provides for a reduction in the quantity of that country's textile and apparel goods that may be imported into the United States if the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) determines that the bilateral agreement is being circumvented and that inadequate or no measures are being taken by that country to take action against such circumvention. (Sec. 7) Prescribes specified Customs Service enforcement actions and penalties (including fines, seizure, and forfeiture) for violations of customs laws involving textile and apparel goods. (Sec. 10) Directs the Commissioner of Customs to establish a Division on Textile Enforcement. (Sec. 11) Requires withdrawal of preferential tariff or quota treatment (unilateral trade concessions) from the textile and apparel goods of any country: (1) demonstrating a consistent pattern of circumventing textile agreements with United States; (2) refusing to cooperate in investigations; (3) failing to provide adequate enforcement of intellectual property rights with respect to textile and apparel goods; or (4) failing to provide fair and equitable market access for U.S. textile and apparel goods.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1996
Applies State laws concerning vehicle weight limitations to specified segments of the Interstate System in New Hampshire and Maine.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1996
National Environmental Education Amendments Act of 1996 - Amends the National Environmental Education Act to require development of curricula, materials, and training programs supported by the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Environmental Education to be balanced and scientifically sound. Requires that implementation of the Act be through EPA. Eliminates requirements for a Director and a minimum number of staff. Allows activities to be carried out through grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts. Reduces the percentage of funds to be obligated for environmental education grants of not more than $5,000. Prohibits use of grants for certain lobbying activities. Eliminates provisions for environmental internships and fellowships. Eliminates environmental education awards provided for under such Act, except the President's Environmental Youth Awards. Revises requirements for membership on the National Environmental Education Advisory Council. Revises requirements for membership on the Federal Task Force on Environmental Education to require that it be open to representatives of any Federal agency actively engaged in environmental education. (Under current law, membership must include specified agency representatives.) Eliminates specific requirements for contents of Advisory Council reports. Changes the name of the National Environmental Education and Training Foundation to the Foundation for Environmental Education. Increases the size of the Board of the Directors. Removes the prohibition on the transmission of logos or other means of identification on materials donated to the Foundation for environmental education and training use. Authorizes appropriations. Revises funding limitations. Limits amounts available for administrative costs.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1996
Designates the balcony adjacent to rooms S-230 and S-231 of the U.S. Capitol Building as the Robert J. Dole Balcony.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1996
Designates June 15, 1996, as National Race for the Cure Day.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1996
Honors Admiral Jeremy M. 'Mike' Boorda, the 25th Chief of Naval Operations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1996
False Statements Penalty Restoration Act - Modifies Federal criminal code provisions regarding false or fraudulent statements or entries to and set penalties with respect to a person who, in any matter within the jurisdiction of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the Government, knowingly and willingly: (1) falsifies, conceals, or covers up a material fact by any trick, scheme, or device; (2) makes any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation; or (3) makes or uses any false writing or document, knowing that the document contains any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry. (Currently, such prohibition applies to any matter within the jurisdiction of any U.S. department or agency.) Makes this provision inapplicable to statements, representations, writings, or documents submitted to a court in connection with the performance of an adjudicative function. Defines "corruptly," for purposes of the prohibition on obstructing Congress, to mean acting with an improper purpose, personally or by influencing another, including but not limited to making a false or misleading statement, or withholding, concealing, altering, or destroying a document or other information. Amends the Federal judicial code to limit the exemption of Government officer or employee acting within an official capacity from U.S. district court jurisdiction to enforce a Senate subpoena or order to instances where the head of such person's department or agency has directed the officer not to comply with the subpoena or order and has identified the executive branch privilege or objection underlying such direction. Amends the Federal criminal code to authorize a U.S. district court to order an individual to provide information which he or she refuses to provide on the basis of the privilege against self- incrimination in proceedings ancillary to either House of Congress. (Currently, such authority applies only to proceedings before either House.)
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1996
Interstate Stalking Punishment and Prevention Act of 1996 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit and prescribe penalties for interstate stalking (i.e., traveling across a State line or within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States with the intent to injure or harass another person and, in the course or as a result of such travel, placing that person in reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury to that person or a member of that person's immediate family).
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1996
Provides for observation of a moment of silence at 9:02 a.m. central daylight time on April 19, 1996, in remembrance of the victims of the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Commends the people of Oklahoma and the aid provided by rescuers, Federal agencies, countless volunteers, and Federal employees. Reaffirms trust in our system of justice to ensure that the perpetrators are convicted and punished.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1996
Encourages the convening of an annual National Silver Haired Congress in the District of Columbia.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1996
Designates the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Jackson, Mississippi, as the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1996
Pays tribute to the remarkable life and career of Ronald H. Brown (the late Secretary of Commerce) and to the contributions of all those who perished in the airplane accident on April 3, 1996, while in service to their country on a mission to Bosnia. Extends condolences to the victims' families.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1996
Expresses the condolences of the Senate on the death of the Honorable Edmund S. Muskie, formerly a Senator from the State of Maine.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1996
Defend America Act of 1996 - Expresses U.S. policy to deploy by the end of 2003 a National Missile Defense (NMD) system that: (1) is capable of providing a highly effective defense of U.S. territory against limited, unauthorized, or accidental ballistic missile attack; (2) will be augmented over time to provide a layered defense against larger and more sophisticated ballistic missile threats; and (3) does not feature an offensive-only form of deterrence. Directs the Secretary of Defense to develop for deployment an affordable and operationally effective NMD system which shall achieve an initial operational capability by the end of 2003. Outlines system elements, including the use of missile interceptors on the ground, at sea, and in space. Directs the Secretary to take specified actions to implement the NMD system development upon enactment of this Act, including the conduct of an integrated systems test by the end of 1998. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress the Secretary's plans for the development and deployment of the NMD system. Urges the President to pursue high-level discussions with the Russian Federation to achieve an agreement to amend the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty to allow deployment of the NMD system. Requires the President to present any such agreement to the Senate for its advice and consent. Requires the President and the Congress, if such an agreement is not achieved within one year after enactment of this Act, to consider exercising the option of withdrawing the United States from the ABM Treaty.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1996
Reauthorizes the Hate Crime Statistics Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1996
Amends the Plant Variety Protection Act to provide plant variety protection for certain tuber propagated plant varieties.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1996
Entitles a named individual to widow's insurance benefits under the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1996
Designates October 13 through 19, 1996, as National Character Counts Week.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1996
Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 - Prohibits the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, in prescribing risk-based program selection criteria for major programs, from requiring the identification of more programs as major for a particular non-Federal entity, subject to specified exceptions, than would be identified if the major programs were defined as any program for which total expenditures for Federal awards by the non-Federal entity exceed specified dollar amounts or percentages of the non-Federal entity's total Federal expenditures. Directs that, in any fiscal year, a non-Federal entity have either a single audit or a program-specific audit if such entity expends a total Federal award amount in excess of a specified amount. Sets forth audit requirements and exceptions. Requires the non-Federal entity to transmit a reporting package to a Federal clearinghouse and make it available for public inspection within a specified time frame.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: General Provisions Title II: Assistance for Education of All Children with Disabilities Title III: Systems Change Title IV: Research and Personnel Preparation Title V: Technical Assistance, Support, and Dissemination of Information Title VI: Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1996 - Revises the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and extends its authorization of appropriations through FY 2002. Title I: General Provisions - Revises IDEA to declare that the right to equal educational opportunities for all children with disabilities is guaranteed by the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. (Sec. 103) Allows the Office of Special Education Programs to accept voluntary and uncompensated services. (Sec. 104) Revises requirements for: (1) prescribing regulations; (2) eligibility for financial assistance; and (3) discretionary grant programs. Requires the Secretary of Education to develop and implement a comprehensive plan for activities under titles IV and V of this Act. Provides for specified enhanced services to children with disabilities. Lists entities eligible for awards. Authorizes the Secretary to limit, without rulemaking, competitions to projects that give priority to one or more targeted areas, if each project addresses the needs of children with disabilities and their families. Provides for application management, including a peer review process. Authorizes the Secretary to use certain funds for: (1) payments to nonfederal entities for administrative support; (2) Federal employees to monitor projects; and (3) evaluation of program activities carried out under these programs. (Sec. 107) Repeals IDEA provisions for: (1) acquisition of equipment and construction of necessary facilities; and (2) grants for the removal of architectural barriers. Title II: Assistance for Education of All Children with Disabilities - Revises entitlements and allocations for assistance for education of all children with disabilities. (Sec. 201) Authorizes States to determine whether to make subgrants smaller than a specified minimum amount to some local education agencies (LEAs). (Sec. 202) Revises and consolidates State eligibility and planning provisions. Provides that, if a child with a disability qualifies for special education, that child does not have to be classified by a specific impairment or condition. Requires the State educational agency (SEA) to: (1) examine data to determine if significant racial disproportionality is occurring in the identification or placement of children under IDEA; and (2) review and revise policies accordingly. Provides that, if a hearing officer agrees with the parents' unilateral placement of a child with a disability in a private school, the LEA may be required to reimburse the parents. Requires a non-educational agency, if it is responsible for services necessary to ensure a free appropriate public education for children with disabilities, to pay for or provide such services directly or by contract or other arrangements. Requires States to: (1) ensure that interagency agreements or other mechanisms are in effect between educational agencies and non-educational agencies for defining respective financial responsibilities, resolving interagency disputes, and interagency coordination; and (2) establish a mechanism by which LEAs may seek reimbursement from agencies for the costs of providing related services. Revises requirements for a comprehensive system of personnel development. Allows LEAs to use appropriately trained and supervised paraprofessionals. Requires States to: (1) establish performance goals and indicators for children with disabilities; (2) ensure that these children participate in general State and district-wide assessments, with appropriate accommodations, where necessary; and (3) develop guidelines for participation in alternative assessments for those children who cannot participate in such general State and district-wide assessments. Consolidates funding and public participation requirements. Revises requirements for State advisory panels and their duties. Repeals requirements for three-year State plans. (Sec. 203) Revises LEA and SEA eligibility and maintenance of effort requirements, with specified exceptions. Allows specified activities, regardless of certain excess cost and noncommingling of funds requirements, including: (1) incidental benefits to non-disabled students; (2) simultaneous services on a space-available basis to non-IDEA-eligible children with disabilities protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); (3) a coordinated services system that links education, health, and social welfare services, systems, and entities to improve educational and transitional results for all children and their families; and (4) a school-based improvement plan. Revises requirements for LEA involvement with a State's Comprehensive System of Personnel Development. (Sec. 204) Revises and consolidates specified requirements for State and local administration of evaluations, reevaluations, individualized education programs (IEPs), and educational placements. Revises IEP content to: (1) focus on measurable annual objectives; and (2) emphasize ensuring that each child, as appropriate, has the opportunity to progress in the general curriculum, and to participate with nondisabled children in various environments. Requires consideration of transition services needs: (1) for all students with disabilities beginning at age 14 (or younger, under specified circumstances); (2) under the applicable components of the IEP; and (3) in light of the student's participation in the general curriculum. Provides for transfer of rights at the age of majority. (Sec. 205) Repeals certain IDEA provisions relating to Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) State agencies. (Sec. 206) Revises procedural safeguards, including provisions for written notices to parents. Requires States to make mediation available to parents of children with disabilities in disputes with LEAs on any matter regarding the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of a child or the provision of free appropriate public education. Permits the transfer of parental rights to a student with disabilities upon reaching the age of majority under State law. Requires the State to have procedures for appointing the parent or another person to represent the student's interests if, under State law, such a student is determined not to have the ability to provide informed consent. (Sec. 207) Revises requirements for: (1) withholding of payments to non-compliant States and judicial review of such determinations; (2) rulemaking on compliance and eligibility; (3) evaluation and program information; (4) preschool grants; and (5) payments. (Sec. 209) Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct studies and evaluations to assess the effectiveness of efforts to provide free appropriate public education and early intervention services, including assessing the placement of children with disabilities by disability category; and (2) conduct a longitudinal study that measure the educational and transitional services provided to and results achieved by children with disabilities under IDEA. Title III: Systems Change - Establishes a program to promote systems change to improve educational and transitional services and results for children with disabilities. Authorizes competitive grants to SEAs, in partnership with LEAs and other interested individuals, agencies, and organizations, to improve such services and results on a system-wide basis. Allows grant recipients to collaborate in systems change activities with those in other States, through joint arrangements with institutions of higher education and sharing of staff and consultants. Requires coordination with this program of activities under titles IV and V. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 302) Extends authorities and authorizations of appropriations relating to centers and services to meet special needs of individuals with disabilities, including regional centers for the deaf. Title IV: Research and Personnel Preparation - Establishes a new program (in part by consolidating certain current activities) for improving early intervention, educational, and transitional services and results for children with disabilities through coordinated research and personnel preparation. (Consolidates current part D personnel preparation provisions and current part E research provisions.) (Sec. 401) Authorizes research and innovation grants and contracts for: (1) new knowledge production in learning styles, instructional approaches, behavior management, assessment tools, assistive technology, program accountability and personnel preparation models; (2) integration of research and practice, through demonstration and dissemination of successful practice; and (3) improvement in the use of professional knowledge by teachers, parents, and others in their classrooms and other learning settings. Authorizes personnel preparation grants and contracts in the areas of: (1) high incidence disabilities, such as learning disabilities, mental retardation, and behavior disordered groups; (2) leadership preparation; (3) low-incidence disabilities, such as sensory impairment, multiple disabilities, and severe disabling conditions; and (4) projects of national significance. (Sec. 402) Makes conforming amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965, Goals 2000: Educate America Act, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. (Sec. 403) Extends the authorization of appropriations for training personnel for the education of individuals with disabilities. Title V: Technical Assistance, Support, and Dissemination of Information - Establishes a new program (in part by consolidating certain current activities) for improving early intervention, educational, and transitional services and results for children with disabilities through coordinated technical assistance, support, and dissemination of information. (Sec. 501) Authorizes grants and contracts for: (1) parent training and information centers and community programs; (2) coordinated technical assistance, support, and dissemination; and (3) technology and media activities. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 502) Makes conforming amendments to IDEA and the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act. (Sec. 503) Extends various authorities and authorizations of appropriations. Title VI: Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities - Revises the program for infants and toddlers with disabilities, with respect to: (1) encouraging States to expand opportunities for infants and toddlers with disabilities who are at risk of having substantial developmental delays if early intervention services are not provided; (2) continuing eligibility; (3) statewide system requirements; (4) the individualized family service plan; (5) allocation and use of funds; (6) procedural safeguards; (7) State Interagency Coordinating Council duties; and (8) Federal Interagency Coordinating Council (FICC) membership and duties. (Sec. 615) Directs the FICC to convene a panel of experts to develop recommendations for a model definition of developmental delay. Allows the use of funds for referring at risk infants and toddlers, in those States not currently serving them, to other IDEA services. Permits planning for transition to preschool services to begin up to six months before the child's third birthday, if parents and agencies agree. (Sec. 616) Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1996
Urges the Government of Iran to extend to the Baha'i community the rights guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the international covenants on human rights. Calls upon the President to continue to: (1) assert the U.S. Government's concern regarding Iran's violations of the rights of its citizens, including members of the Baha'i community, along with expressions of concern regarding the Iranian Government's support for international terrorism and its efforts to acquire weapons of mass destruction; (2) emphasize that the United States regards the human rights practices of the Iranian Government, particularly its treatment of the Baha'i community and other religious minorities, as a significant factor in the development of U.S.-Iranian relations; (3) urge the Iranian Government to emancipate the Baha'i community by granting those rights guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the international covenants on human rights; and (4) encourage other governments to continue to appeal to the Government of Iran, and to cooperate with other governments and international organizations, in efforts to protect the religious rights of the Baha'is and other minorities in Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1996
Designates March 25, 1996, as Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1996
Commends the men and women who have served or are presently serving in the American Foreign Service and honors those who have given their lives in the line of duty. Designates the first Friday in May 1996 as American Foreign Service Day.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1996
Designates June 19, 1996, as National Baseball Day.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1996
Expresses the sense of the Senate that if a one-dollar coin is minted to replace the $1 bill, the Secretary of the Treasury should be authorized to mint and circulate $1 coins bearing a likeness of Margaret Chase Smith.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1996
Economic Espionage and Protection of Proprietary Economic Information Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal criminal code to impose penalties upon individuals and corporations that engage in economic espionage to aid foreign nations' governments, corporations, institutions, or instrumentalities, including attempting, soliciting others, or conspiring to engage in such activity. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) vicarious liability; (2) forfeiture; (3) extraterritoriality; and (4) non-preemption of other Federal or State remedies. Requires the court to preserve the confidentiality of alleged proprietary economic information by any reasonable and lawful means, including by: (1) granting protective orders in connection with discovery proceedings; and (2) holding in camera hearings, sealing relevant portions of the record, and ordering any person involved in the proceedings not to disclose such information without prior court approval. Makes this Act inapplicable to lawfully authorized law enforcement or intelligence activities. Defines "goods, wares, or merchandise" for purposes of Federal criminal code provisions regarding stolen property to mean all forms and types of personal property and chattels including all forms and types of financial, scientific, technical, economic, or engineering information if the owner has taken reasonable measures to keep such property confidential and the property is not available generally to, or accessible by, the public. Revises the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act and Federal wiretap provisions to cover economic espionage and the protection of proprietary economic information in interstate and foreign commerce.
United States · United States Congress · 22 December 1995
Protecting Class Action Plaintiffs Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal judicial code to require the attorneys representing the class in a class action lawsuit, no later than ten days after a proposed settlement is filed, to serve the attorney general of each State in which a class member resides and the Department of Justice (DOJ) with specified information, including a copy of the complaint, notice of any scheduled judicial hearing in the class action, and any proposed or final class action settlement. Specifies that: (1) a hearing to consider final approval of a proposed settlement may not be held earlier than 120 days after such notice is served; (2) a class member may refuse to comply with, and may choose not to be bound by, a settlement agreement or consent decree in such a lawsuit if the class member resides in a State whose attorney general has not been provided such notice; and (3) any court order certifying a class or approving a proposed settlement in a class action and any written opinions concerning such court orders and decrees shall be made available for publication in official court reporters and electronic legal databases. Directs any court with jurisdiction over a class action in which the plaintiff is a class to require that: (1) any written notice provided to the class through the mail or publication in printed media contain a short summary written in plain, easily understood language describing the subject matter of the class action, the legal consequences of joining such action, and specified other information; and (2) any notice provided through television or radio to inform the class of its rights to be excluded from a class action or a proposed settlement indicate and explain in plain, easily understood language the individuals that may potentially become class members and that the failure of individuals to exercise their right to be excluded will result in the individual's inclusion in the class action.
United States · United States Congress · 21 December 1995
Interjurisdictional Fisheries Amendments Act of 1995 - Amends the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act of 1986 to authorize appropriations to carry out the Act and to support the efforts of specified interstate commissions to develop interstate fishery management plans. Revises requirements regarding assistance (currently, grants) for fishery disaster relief, including: (1) allowing assistance to State and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations as well as to individuals; (2) removing and modifying assistance limits; (3) removing requirements that the Secretary of Commerce establish assistance limitations, terms, and conditions regarding the means of demonstrating loss.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 1995
Expresses the condolences of the Senate on the death of the Reverend Dr. Richard Halverson, the 60th Chaplain of the United States Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 28 November 1995
Amends specified Federal law (a joint resolution making further continuing appropriations for FY 1996, Public Law 104-56) to provide for reimbursement to States for federally funded employees carrying out Federal programs during the lapse in appropriations from November 14, 1995, through November 19, 1995.
United States · United States Congress · 28 November 1995
Federal Shutdown Equity Act - Amends specified Federal laws relating to compensation for Members of Congress and for the President to prohibit any such compensation from being paid for any period during FY 1996 during which appropriations for the compensation of Federal employees have lapsed, until all regular appropriations laws have been enacted or a continuing appropriations resolution has become law covering those regular appropriations bills that have not been enacted (thus providing for comparable treatment of Federal employees and Members of Congress and the President during any fiscal hiatus during FY 1996).
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1995
Nigeria Democracy Act - Imposes certain economic sanctions against Nigeria to promote democracy and human rights there. Directs the President to notify Nigeria immediately of his intention to suspend air transportation between the United States and such country. Urges the President to seek multilateral support for an international embargo on the sale of arms to, and sale of crude oil or refined petroleum products from, Nigeria. Authorizes waiver of such sanctions if the President certifies to the Congress that: (1) Nigeria has released all political prisoners and demonstrated a commitment to respecting internationally-recognized human rights and civilian, democratic government; or (2) such waiver is important to the national interest. Declares the sense of the Congress that the United States should impose additional measures against the Government of Nigeria if substantial progress has not been made within three months after enactment of this Act toward the establishment of civilian, democratic government and respect for internationally recognized human rights. Requires a progress report from the President to the Congress, including specified recommendations if progress has not been made.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 1995
Provides that in any case during FY 1996 in which appropriations are not otherwise available for the payment of veterans' benefits, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall nevertheless ensure that such payments are made in accordance with regular procedures and schedules. Appropriates necessary amounts for such purpose. Requires applicable accounts to be charged for such payments when regular appropriations become available for such purpose. Requires such payments to be made also in any case during such fiscal year in which certain functions of the Government are delayed, deferred, or canceled due to a limitation on the Government's ability to borrow funds.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 1995
Condemns the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Extends condolences to his family and to all the people of Israel. Expresses admiration for his historic contributions and support for the government of Acting Prime Minister Shimon Peres. Reaffirms a commitment to the process of building a just and lasting peace between Israel and its neighbors. Provides for the adjournment of the Senate as a further mark of respect for Rabin.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1995
Emergency Lumber Act of 1995 - Imposes a 25 percent ad valorem duty on imported Canadian wood and lumber products. Requires the administering authority to initiate a countervailing duty investigation with respect to such products. Declares that the President is authorized to negotiate with free trade area countries for the purpose of entering into an agreement to modify certain terms of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the United States-Canada Free-Trade Agreement to provide that: (1) the exclusive review by binational panels shall not apply to antidumping and countervailing duty determinations involving their merchandise; and (2) such determinations shall be subject to judicial review in the same manner as determinations made with respect to non-free trade area countries. Declares further that: (1) such negotiations shall not affect the rights of the United States or a free trade area country to apply its domestic antidumping and countervailing duty laws to the imports of another country; and (2) if an agreement has been entered into pursuant to such negotiations, the President shall submit implementing legislation to the Congress. Extends "fast track" procedures to such legislation. Applies the requirements of this Act to goods from Canada or Mexico.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 1995
Designates November 1995 as National American Indian Heritage Month.