United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1995
Establishes a moratorium on the Interagency Memorandum of Agreement Concerning Wetlands Determinations until enactment of a successor law to the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1995
Missing Service Personnel Act of 1995 - Requires the military commander of the unit, facility, or area to which the following persons are assigned to conduct an investigation as to their whereabouts after receiving factual information that their status is uncertain: (1) military personnel who disappear during a period of war, national emergency, or hostilities; and (2) any civilian Federal employee (including an employee of a Federal contractor) who serves with or accompanies an armed force in the field during such a period. Requires such persons to be placed in a missing status and requires notification of such status to either the officer having general court-martial authority over the person (for military personnel) or the Secretary of the military department employing such person (for civilian and contractor employees). Requires such officials to be kept informed (specifies deadlines) as to all information and inquiries concerning efforts to locate such missing personnel. Requires such officials to appoint a board to conduct an inquiry into the whereabouts and status of such persons. Provides for: (1) board composition, activities, and access to information; (2) inquiry proceedings (requiring the appointment of counsel, with specified duties, to represent the missing person); (3) a board recommendation as to the official status of a person following such an inquiry; (4) board reports to the officials involved as to board conclusions (prohibiting public availability of such reports for a one-year period); (5) report review by the official; (6) a report from such official to interested persons; and (7) an additional investigation and inquiry by an additional board upon receipt of new information within one year after the date of the first official notice of a person's disappearance. Allows interested persons (family members, dependents, next of kin) to participate at the proceedings of the board during such additional inquiry. Provides for the availability of appropriate information to board personnel conducting investigations and inquiries. Provides similar procedures for the second board with respect to meetings (open to the public, with exceptions), recommendations, reports, review by the Secretary of the military department concerned, and reports to interested persons. Requires a board to be reconvened when information becomes available that would directly lead to a determination of a person's status. Requires the Secretary concerned to appoint a board to conduct an inquiry as to the status of a missing person: (1) on or about three years after the first official notice of the disappearance of such person; and (2) not later than every three years thereafter until a total of 12 years after the first official notice. Provides for: (1) the release to a board by the Secretary concerned of all personnel file information concerning missing persons; (2) the treatment of classified information; (3) penalties for the wrongful withholding of information; (4) limited circumstances under which a board may recommend that a missing person be declared officially dead; (5) the submission by the board of appropriate information if such recommendation occurs; and (6) judicial review for interested persons of a board decision to declare a person officially dead. Provides for the appointment of a board to review the status of a person previously declared dead, with board procedures similar to those described above. Requires a person previously declared dead or in a missing status who is subsequently found alive to be paid for the full time of their absence. Directs the Secretary concerned, upon the enlistment or commission of a person in an armed force, to require such person to specify in writing his or her dependents, immediate family, primary next of kin, and any other individual that the person shall designate for purposes of this Act. Allows for revision of such designation at any time.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1995
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits the election of any person to a full term as a Senator more than twice or to a full term as a Representative more than three times. Bars any person who has been: (1) a Senator for more than three years of a term to which another person was elected from being subsequently elected more than once; and (2) a Representative for more than a year of a term to which another person was elected from being subsequently elected more than twice.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1995
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) Taiwan deserves full participation, including a seat, in the United Nations (UN); and (2) the U.S. Government should encourage the UN to establish an ad hoc committee to study membership for Taiwan in the UN and its related agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Private Securities Litigation Title II: Financial Disclosure Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 - 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 · 13 January 1995
Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act - Prohibits funds for foreign assistance from being made available for any country whose government prohibits or restricts the transport or delivery of U.S. humanitarian assistance. Waives such prohibition if the President notifies the Congress that providing such assistance is in the national security interest. Provides for a resumption of assistance when the President certifies to the Speaker of the House and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that such country is no longer prohibiting or restricting such transports or deliveries.
United States · United States Congress · 12 January 1995
Regulatory Transition Act of 1995 - Establishes a moratorium on Federal regulatory rulemaking actions from November 9, 1994, through June 30, 1995, with certain emergency exceptions for presidentially designated imminent threats to health or safety, or actions necessary for enforcement of criminal laws. Suspends until July 1, 1995, starting 30 days after enactment of this Act, the effectiveness of any such action taken after November 9, 1994, but before enactment of this Act. Requires the President to inventory and publish in the Federal Register a list of all covered regulatory rulemaking actions pending on the date of enactment of this Act. Authorizes civil actions by anyone adversely affected by any conduct of a Federal agency in violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 January 1995
Rural Emergency Access Care Hospital Act of 1995 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) permit certain rural hospitals to serve as rural emergency access care hospitals; and (2) provide for coverage of rural emergency access care hospital services under Medicare part B.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1995
Farm, Ranch, and Homestead Protection Act of 1995 - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior, until the Act's reauthorization, from: (1) determining that a species is an endangered or threatened species; or (2) designating a species habitat as a critical habitat. Exempts Federal agencies, until the Act's reauthorization, from complying with specified requirements, including: (1) carrying out programs for the conservation of threatened and endangered species; and (2) insuring that Federal actions are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of endangered or threatened species or result in the destruction of habitat.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1995
Abolishes the Medicare and Medicaid Coverage Data Bank established under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study and report to the Congress on how to achieve the former objectives of such entity in the most cost-effective manner.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1995
Immigration Moratorium Act of 1994 - Imposes a five-year immigration moratorium, with exceptions for refugees, certain priority and skilled workers, and immediate relatives of U.S. citizens and permanent resident aliens.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Davis-Bacon Repeal Act - Repeals the Davis-Bacon Act (an Act which requires that the locally prevailing wage rate be paid to various classes of laborers and mechanics working under federally-financed or federally-assisted contracts for construction, alteration, and repair of public buildings or public works). Repeals the Copeland Act (an Act which requires certain payroll information reports from Federal contractors to prevent kickbacks).
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Legislative Line Item Veto Act of 1995 - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to grant the President legislative line item veto rescission authority. Authorizes the President to rescind all or part of any budget authority, if the President determines that such rescission: (1) would help balance the Federal budget, reduce the Federal budget deficit, or reduce the public debt; (2) will not impair any essential Government functions; and (3) will not harm the national interest. Makes such a rescission effective unless the Congress, during a review period, enacts a rescission disapproval bill.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Bosnia and Herzegovina Self-Defense Act of 1995 - Directs the President to terminate the U.S. arms embargo of the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the date of receipt of a request from such government for assistance in exercising its right of self-defense under the United Nations Charter or May 1, 1995, whichever comes first.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
WTO Dispute Settlement Review Commission Act - Establishes the WTO Dispute Settlement Review Commission to review reports of dispute settlement panels or the Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in proceedings initiated by other WTO parties which are adverse to the United States and which are adopted by the Dispute Settlement Body. Requires the Commission to determine whether the panel or the Appellate Body: (1) exceeded its authority; (2) added to the obligations of or diminished the rights of the United States; (3) acted arbitrarily or capriciously, engaged in misconduct, or demonstrably departed from proper procedures; and (4) deviated, in its report, from the applicable standard of review. Requires the Commission, upon an affirmative determination on one or more of these questions, to further determine whether the action of the panel or the Appellate Body materially affected the outcome of its report. Requires the President, upon enactment of a joint resolution directing such action, to negotiate to amend or modify the rules and procedures of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes with respect to any affirmative determinations submitted to the Congress concerning the action of a panel or the Appellate Body. Provides for a joint resolution withdrawing congressional approval of the WTO agreement, ending U.S. participation in the WTO, if such negotiations do not result in a satisfactory solution. Sets forth provisions governing the participation in WTO panel proceedings of private U.S. persons supportive of the U.S. Government position at issue.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Legislative Accountability and Reform Title II: Regulatory Accountability and Reform Title III: Review of Unfunded Federal Mandates Title IV: Judicial Review Unfunded Mandate Reform Act of 1995 - Prohibits the application of this Act to any proposed Federal legislation or proposed or final Federal regulation that: (1) enforces the constitutional rights of individuals; (2) establishes or enforces any statutory rights that prohibit various specified types of discrimination; (3) requires compliance with accounting and auditing procedures with respect to grants or other money or property provided by the Federal Government; (4) provides for emergency assistance or relief at the request of any State, local, or tribal government (small government); or (5) is designed as emergency legislation or is necessary for national security or international treaty purposes. Requires each Federal agency to provide to the Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) such information and assistance as the Director may reasonably request to assist him or her in carrying out this Act. Title I: Legislative Accountability and Reform - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 and the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 with respect to unfunded Federal mandates. (Sec. 101) Includes tribal governments and the private sector within the purview of mandate analysis by CBO and congressional committees. Requires authorization committees to identify to CBO any Federal mandates in legislation ordered to be reported. Requires the report accompanying any reported legislation with a Federal mandate to contain statements on whether the legislation is intended to preempt any State, local, or tribal law (and the reasons for such intention), as well as individual mandate descriptions, cost-benefit analyses, and statements regarding Federal financial assistance to State, local, and tribal governments for meeting mandate costs. Requires the CBO Director, for each piece of legislation, to prepare and submit the authorizing committee certain statements estimating the direct costs of mandate compliance and the amount of new or increased Federal financial assistance needed to meet such costs, if the estimates indicate at least a $50 million per fiscal year direct cost of all intergovernmental mandates in the legislation, or a $200 million per fiscal year direct cost of private sector mandates. Makes it out of order for the Senate to consider: (1) any reported nonappropriations legislation unless it has a CBO Director report; or (2) any reported nonappropriations legislation containing a Federal intergovernmental mandate with direct costs exceeding the thresholds specified by this Act, unless it provides for new or increased budget, entitlement, or direct spending authority or makes other specified arrangements for each fiscal year to ensure that Federal funds equal or exceed the estimated direct costs of the mandate, or that State, local, and tribal programmatic and financial responsibilities are reduced so they do not exceed the amount of Federal funding. Gives the House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight and the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs final authority to determine questions on the applicability of this Act to pending bills, joint resolutions, amendments, motions, or conference reports. Requires the direct costs of a Federal mandate for a fiscal year to be determined based on estimates by congressional budget committees. Provides that it shall not be in order in the House of Representatives to consider a rule or order waiving application of these provisions to a bill or joint resolution reported by an authorization committee. (Sec. 102) Amends House rules with regard to the Committee of the Whole and Committee on Rules: (1) to make it always in order in the former to strike from the portion of any bill open to amendment any Federal mandate whose direct costs exceed the prescribed threshold; and (2) to require the latter to include in its reports on waived points of order a separate item identifying all waivers of points of order relating to Federal mandates. (Sec. 103) Provides that, at the request of any congressional committee, the CBO Director shall: (1) consult with and assist it in analyzing the budgetary or financial impact of any proposed legislation that may have a significant impact on the State, local, or tribal government involved or on the private sector; and (2) study any legislative proposal containing a Federal mandate. Requires the CBO Director to conduct continuing studies to enhance comparisons of budget outlays, credit authority, and tax expenditures. Requires any congressional committee that anticipates considering any legislative proposal establishing, amending, or reauthorizing any Federal program likely to have a significant impact on any State, local, or tribal government or on the private sector to include its views and estimates on that proposal to the applicable budget committee. (Sec. 104) Authorizes appropriations to CBO to carry out this Act. (Sec. 106) Repeals the State and Local Government Cost Estimate Act of 1981. Title II: Regulatory Accountability and Reform - Requires each Federal agency to: (1) assess the effects of Federal regulations on State, local, and tribal governments (other than to the extent that such regulations incorporate requirements specifically set forth in legislation) and the private sector, including specifically the availability of resources to carry out any Federal mandates in those regulations; and (2) seek to minimize those burdens that uniquely or significantly affect such governmental entities, consistent with achieving statutory and regulatory objectives. (Sec. 201) Directs each agency to permit elected officials and other representatives of State, local, and tribal governments to provide meaningful and timely input in the development of regulatory proposals containing significant Federal mandates. Requires each agency: (1) before establishing regulatory requirements, to develop plans for notifying small governments of such requirements; and (2) before promulgating any final rule that includes any Federal intergovernmental mandate that may result in State, local, or tribal government and private sector expenditures, in the aggregate, of $100 million or more in any one year, to prepare a written statement of specified estimates and analyses for forwarding to the CBO Director. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 204) Directs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to establish pilot programs in at least two agencies to test innovative approaches to reducing reporting and compliance burdens on small governments. Title III: Review of Unfunded Federal Mandates - Establishes the Commission on Unfunded Federal Mandates to investigate and review the role of unfunded Federal mandates in intergovernmental relations and their impact on local, State, and Federal government objectives and responsibilities. Requires the Commission to make recommendations to the President and the Congress with regard to: (1) consolidating or simplifying unfunded Federal mandates in order to facilitate compliance by State, local, and tribal governments, especially with respect to specific mandates for which the terms of compliance are unnecessarily rigid or complex; (2) terminating unfunded mandates which are duplicative, obsolete, or lacking in practical utility; and (3) temporarily suspending those unfunded mandates which are not vital to public health and safety and which compound the fiscal difficulties of State, local, and tribal governments. (Sec. 307) Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Judicial Review - Disallows judicial review under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Legislative Line Item Veto Act - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to authorize the President to propose to the Congress the cancellation of any budget item provided in any Act. Authorizes the President to transmit a draft bill to the Congress with such a proposal, including the amount of each budget item designated for deficit reduction. Establishes expedited procedures in the Senate and the House of Representatives for consideration of such bill.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: General Title II: Extension of Rights and Protections Part A: Employment Discrimination, Family and Medical Leave, Fair Labor Standards, Employee Polygraph Protection, Worker Adjustment and Retraining, Employment and Reemployment of Veterans, and Intimidation Part B: Public Services and Accommodations Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 Part C: Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 Part D: Labor-Management Relations Part E: General Part F: Study Title III: Office of Compliance Title IV: Administrative and Judicial Dispute-Resolution Procedures Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 - Title I: General - Applies provisions of the following laws to the legislative branch: (1) the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA); (2) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; (3) the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA); (4) the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA); (5) the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA); (6) the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA); (7) provisions regarding Federal labor-management relations; (8) the Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988 (EPPA); (9) the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN); (10) the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and (11) the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994. Requires the Board of Directors (Board) of the Office of Compliance (established by this Act) to: (1) review provisions of Federal laws and regulations relating to the terms and conditions of employment (including protection from discrimination in personnel actions, occupational health and safety, and family, medical, and other leave) of employees and access to public services and accommodations; and (2) report on December 31, 1996, and biennially thereafter, on whether or to what degree such provisions are applicable or inapplicable to the legislative branch and if inapplicable whether they should be made applicable. Requires each report of a congressional committee accompanying any bill or joint resolution relating to terms and conditions of employment or access to public services or accommodations to: (1) describe the manner in which the provisions of the bill or joint resolution apply to the legislative branch; or (2) if the provisions do not apply, include a statement of the reasons why. Makes it out of order, on the objection of any Member, for the Senate or the House of Representatives to consider such bill or joint resolution if the report of the committee on the measure does not comply with this Act. Allows such requirement to be waived in either House by a majority vote of that House. Title II: Extension of Rights and Protections - Part A: Employment Discrimination, Family and Medical Leave, Fair Labor Standards, Employee Polygraph Protection, Worker Adjustment and Retraining, Employment and Reemployment of Veterans, and Intimidation - Requires all personnel actions affecting covered employees to be made free from any discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability. Defines a "covered employee" as an employee of the House, the Senate, the Capitol Guide Service, the Capitol Police, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the Office of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), the Office of the Attending Physician, the Office of Compliance, or the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA). Makes available the remedies awarded under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the ADEA, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the ADA, as appropriate, for discrimination violations affecting covered employees. Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the ADEA to apply their protection and remedies to the Government Printing Office (GPO) and the General Accounting Office (GAO). Extends coverage under the ADA to GPO and GAO. Makes specified remedies and procedures set forth in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 available to any employee of an instrumentality of the Congress who alleges a violation of the rights and protections under the ADA, except that the authorities of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission shall be exercised by the chief official of the instrumentality of the Congress. (Sec. 202) Applies the rights, protections, and remedies of the FMLA, EPPA, WARN (with regard to closures or mass layoffs), and veterans' employment and reemployment rights to covered employees, GAO, and the Library of Congress. Applies the FLSA to covered employees and GPO. Prohibits covered employees from receiving compensatory time in lieu of overtime compensation. Provides that nothing in this Act shall preclude the Capitol Police from using lie detector tests in accordance with prescribed regulations under this Act. (Sec. 207) Makes it unlawful for an employing office to intimidate, take reprisal against, or otherwise discriminate against, any covered employee for opposing any practice made unlawful by this Act, or for initiating proceedings, making charges, or testifying, assisting, or participating in any manner in a hearing or other proceeding under this Act. Provides that the remedy available for such violation shall be such legal or equitable remedy as would be appropriate. Part B: Public Services and Accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 - Applies the rights and protections against discrimination in the provision of public services and accommodations under the ADA to the Senate, the House, congressional and joint committees, the Capitol Guide Service, the Capitol Police, CBO, AOC, the Office of the Attending Physician, the Office, and OTA. Makes available specified remedies awarded under the ADA, as appropriate, except that with respect to any claim of employment discrimination asserted by any covered employee, the exclusive remedy under this title shall apply. Describes procedures to remedy other ADA violations, including filing a charge with the General Counsel of the Office, mediation, and judicial review. Makes specified remedies and procedures under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 available to disabled visitors, guests, or patrons of instrumentalities of the Congress (GAO, GPO, and the Library) who allege violations under ADA provisions described by this part. Part C: Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 - Directs each employing office (including GAO and the Library) and covered employees to comply with OSHA. Requires the remedy for an OSHA violation to be an order to correct the violation. Establishes procedures for such remedies, including granting the General Counsel and the Board certain authorities exercised by the Secretary of Labor under OSHA. Part D: Labor-Management Relations - Applies Federal labor- management relations provisions to employing offices and covered employees. Grants the Board and the General Counsel specified authorities of the Federal Labor Relations Authority to enforce such provisions. Part E: General - Allows the hearing officer, Board, or court, as the case may be, to award attorney's fees, expert witness fees, and other costs as would be appropriate under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to a covered employee with respect to a claim under this Act or a qualified person with a disability with respect to a claim under the ADA. Prohibits a civil penalty or punitive damages from being awarded with respect to any claim under this Act. Bars persons other than veterans from commencing an administrative or judicial proceeding to seek a remedy for the rights and protections afforded by this Act except as provided in this Act. Provides that only a covered employee who has undertaken and completed the employee counseling and mediation procedures described in this Act may be granted a remedy under Part A of this title. Part F: Study - Directs the Administrative Conference of the United States to study the application of the following laws to GAO, GPO, and the Library of Congress and the regulations and procedures used by such entities to apply and enforce such laws: (1) title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; (2) the ADEA; (3) the ADA; (4) the FMLA; (5) the FLSA; (6) OSHA; (7) the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; (8) Federal labor-management relations provisions; (9) the General Accounting Office Personnel Act of 1980; (10) the EPPA; (11) the WARN; and (12) provisions regarding veterans' employment and reemployment rights. Title III: Office of Compliance - Establishes in the legislative branch an Office of Compliance (Office) to carry out: (1) a program of education for Members of Congress and other employing authorities of the legislative branch respecting the laws made applicable to them; and (2) a program to inform individuals of their rights under such laws. Requires the Board Chair to appoint an Executive Director, a Deputy Executive Director for the Senate, and a Deputy Executive Director for the House of Representatives. (Sec. 304) Sets forth procedures for congressional approval of the Board's regulations required under title II to implement this Act, including regulations on the appropriate application of exemptions under the laws made applicable in such title. (Sec. 305) Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Administrative and Judicial Dispute-Resolution Procedures - Sets forth procedures for counseling, mediation, election of proceedings, hearings, judicial review of Board decisions and enforcement, civil actions, and judicial review of regulations issued by the Board with respect to consideration of alleged violations of Part A of title II. (Sec. 410) Prohibits judicial review of actions taken pursuant to this Act, except as expressly authorized by this title. (Sec. 415) Authorizes appropriations for the establishment of an account in the Treasury for the Office for payment of awards and settlements under this Act. Prohibits funds in the account from being available for awards and settlements involving GAO, GPO, and the Library. Authorizes appropriations for funds for: (1) administrative, personnel, and similar expenses of employing offices which are needed to comply with this Act; and (2) the correction of OSHA and ADA accommodation and access violations. (Sec. 416) Makes all counseling, mediation, and hearings and deliberations of the Board confidential. Permits the records of hearing officers and the Board to be made public if required for judicial review. Authorizes the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct and the Senate Select Committee on Ethics to have access to hearing records and decisions after the issuance of a final decision on a complaint. Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions - Provides that it shall not be a violation of any provision of Section 201 to consider the party affiliation, domicile, or political compatibility, with respect to employment decisions, of employees who are: (1) on the staff of the House or Senate leadership; (2) on the staff of congressional committees, joint committees, or subcommittees; (3) on the staff of Members of the House or Senators; (4) officers of the House or the Senate or elected or appointed congressional staff; or (5) applicants for any such positions. (Sec. 503) Provides that the Senate Select Committee on Ethics and the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct retain full power with respect to the discipline of Members, officers, and employees for violating rules of the Senate and House on nondiscrimination in employment. (Sec. 505) Requires the Judicial Conference of the United States to report to the Congress on the application to the judicial branch of: (1) the FLSA; (2) title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; (3) the ADA; (4) the ADEA; (5) the FMLA; (6) OSHA; (7) Federal labor- management relations provisions; (8) the EPPA; (9) the WARN; (10) the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and (11) veterans' employment and reemployment provisions. Requires the report to include any recommendations the Judicial Conference may have for legislation to provide judicial branch employees with the rights, protections, and procedures under such laws, including administrative and judicial relief, that are comparable to those available to legislative branch employees under titles I through IV of this Act. (Sec. 506) Sets forth transitional provisions with respect to certain existing claims.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Private Property Rights Restoration Act - Grants the owner of real property a cause of action against the United States if: (1) the application of a statute, regulation, rule, guideline, or policy of the United States restricts, limits, or otherwise infringes a right to real property that would otherwise exist; and (2) such application would result in a discrete and non-negligible reduction in the fair market value of the affected portion of real property. Specifies that a prima facie case shall be established if the Government action results in a temporary or permanent diminution of fair market value of the affected portion of real property of the lesser of 25 percent or more, or $10,000 or more. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) jurisdiction; (2) recovery amount; (3) a public nuisance exception; (4) award of costs to a prevailing plaintiff; and (5) the applicable statute of limitations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Amends Federal law to prohibit any State from imposing an income tax on the pension income of any individual who is not a resident or domiciliary of that State.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Private Property Rights Act of 1995 - States that the Congress declares that the Federal Government should protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public and, in doing so, to the extent practicable, avoid takings of private property. Directs Federal agencies to complete a private property taking impact analysis before issuing or promulgating any policy, regulation, proposed legislation, or related agency action which is likely to result in a taking of private property. Exempts from such requirement certain: (1) actions in which the power of eminent domain is formally exercised; (2) any action taken with respect to property held in trust by the United States or in connection with treaty negotiations; (3) law enforcement actions; (4) communications between a Federal agency and a State or local land-use planning agency about a proposed State or local activity regulating private property; (5) military activities or military or foreign affairs functions; and (6) emergencies involving immediate threats to health or safety. 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. Requires each agency to provide the analysis required by this Act as part of any submission otherwise required to be made to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in conjunction with the proposed regulation. Directs the Attorney General to provide legal guidance in a timely manner, in response to a request by an agency, to assist it in complying with this Act. Requires annual reports by each agency to the OMB Director and Attorney General identifying each agency action that has resulted in the preparation of a taking impact analysis, the filing of a taking claim, or an award of compensation pursuant to the Just Compensation Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution. Creates a rebuttable presumption that unmodified analyses five years or older are outdated for purposes of any agency action or administrative or judicial proceeding.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Retirement Savings Incentives Subtitle A: Restoration of IRA Deduction Subtitle B: Nondeductible Tax-Free IRAs Title II: Penalty-Free Distributions Title III: Aid to Families with Dependent Children Savings and Investment Incentive Act of 1995 - Title I: Retirement Savings Incentives - Subtitle A: Restoration of IRA Deduction - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to restore the deduction for individual retirement plans (IRAs). Provides a phase-up of income limits (from 1995 through 1998) with respect to the limitation on the deductibility of contributions to IRAs by active participants in employer-maintained plans. Removes the spousal rule from such limitation. Terminates income limits after December 31, 1998. Provides an inflation adjustment for deductible amounts after 1995. Allows certain spouses a full deduction for contributions to an IRA. Makes certain coins and bullion ineligible as collectible investments for purposes of distributions from an IRA. Coordinates the limit on such deduction with the elective deferral limit under other pension provisions. Subtitle B: Nondeductible Tax-Free IRAs - Allows individuals to establish individual retirement plus (IRA plus) accounts with tax treatment similar to that for individual retirement plans. Makes contributions to such accounts nondeductible. Excludes distributions from such accounts from the gross income of the distributee, if the assets remain in such accounts for at least five years. Allows qualified transfers to be made to such accounts. Establishes penalties for early withdrawals and excess contributions. Title II: Penalty-Free Distributions - Allows distributions from certain retirement plans without penalty to purchase first homes, pay higher education expenses and financially devastating medical expenses, and assist certain unemployed individuals. Title III: Aid to Families with Dependent Children - Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) of title IV of the Social Security Act to exclude from AFDC eligibility determinations certain income and resources that are to be used for education, training, and employability purposes. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report to specified congressional committees on the use of qualified asset accounts. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on a revision of the AFDC limit on automobiles in order to increase the employability of AFDC recipients.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Constitutional Amendment - Requires a balanced Federal budget, unless a three-fifths roll call vote of both Houses of Congress provides for a specific excess of outlays over receipts. Prohibits an increase in the public debt limit except by a three-fifths roll call vote by both Houses of Congress. Requires the President to submit a balanced budget to the Congress. Prohibits any bill increasing revenue from becoming law unless approved by a majority roll call vote of both Houses.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1994
Amends Federal law with respect to nonprofit group donations to the National Forest System to permit the Forest Service to fund a project with appropriated moneys provided the nonprofit has a written Forest Service reimbursement agreement. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish written rules for contribution acceptance.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1994
Expresses the sense of the Senate with respect to forest management plan implementation, including that the Secretary of Agriculture recognize the multiple uses of national forests.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1994
Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to modify the maximum hour (overtime) exemption for employees of irrigation districts which handle water exclusively for agricultural purposes, by specifying that at least 90 percent of such water is to be ultimately delivered for agricultural purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1994
Revises rule XXXV of the Standing Rules of the Senate to prohibit any Member, officer, or employee of the Senate (Member) from accepting a gift, knowing that such gift is provided by a lobbyist, a registered lobbyist under the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act, a lobbying firm, or an agent of a foreign principal. Sets forth provisions regarding what: (1) constitutes a prohibited gift (including anything provided by a lobbyist which is paid for, charged to, or reimbursed by a client or firm of such lobbyist, certain charitable contributions or other payments by a lobbyist relating to a retreat sponsored by or affiliated with an official congressional organization); and (2) does not constitute a gift (including anything for which the recipient pays the market value, anything the recipient does not use and promptly returns to the donor, food or refreshments of nominal value offered other than as part of a meal, and pension and other benefits resulting from continued participation in an employee welfare and benefits plan maintained by a former employer). Sets forth provisions regarding gifts given for a nonbusiness purpose, motivated by family relationship or close personal friendship (generally permitted). Prohibits any Member from knowingly accepting a gift from any other person except as provided in this rule. Lists circumstances where such restrictions shall not apply. Considers a gift to the spouse or dependent of a Member to be a gift to such Member if given with the knowledge and acquiescence of, and with reason to believe the gift was given because of official position as, a Member. Permits Members to accept: (1) offers of free attendance at a widely attended convention, symposium, reception, or similar event, subject to specified requirements; and (2) a sponsor's unsolicited offer of free attendance at a charity event, except for reimbursement for transportation and lodging in connection with the event. Directs the Select Committee on Ethics to provide guidance setting forth reasonable steps that may be taken by Members, with a minimum of paperwork and time, to prevent the acceptance of prohibited gifts from lobbyists.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1994
Sheep Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1994 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to issue a sheep and wool promotion, research, education, and information order. Includes in such order: (1) establishment of a National Sheep Promotion, Research, and Information Board; and (2) assessment of fees. Provides for approval referenda among producers, feeders, and importers. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1994
Gift of Life Congressional Medal Act of 1994 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to design and strike a bronze medal to commemorate organ and tissue donors and their families. Makes eligible for the medal any organ or tissue donor or donor's family. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to arrange for medal presentation to eligible individuals. Declares the medals to be national medals. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to enter into agreements with the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network to solicit donations to offset expenditures relating to medal issuance. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to deposit all solicited donations into the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1994
National Recreational Trails Act of 1994 - Amends the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 to revise State eligibility requirements with respect to national recreational trails funding to require States to agree to expend a specified amount from non-Federal sources for such trails. Repeals the current requirement that States imposing a tax on nonhighway recreational fuels reserve a reasonable estimation of such tax revenues for recreational trail use. Allows the use of certain administrative expenditures from the National Recreational Trails Trust Fund for contracting for services with other land management agencies. Limits to one the number of national surveys of non-highway recreational fuel consumption by State that may be paid for out of such Fund. Requires States, in the mandatory use of specified amounts from such Fund for motorized or non-motorized recreation, to give priority, to the extent practicable, to project proposals that provide for the redesign, reconstruction, maintenance, or relocation of trails in order to mitigate the impact to the natural environment. Authorizes States to apply for exemption from motorized or non-motorized recreation fund use requirements if they have determined, based on trail needs identified in the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, that it is in their best interests to be exempt. Authorizes appropriations. Increases from 11 to 12 the number of members of the National Recreational Trails Advisory Committee. Requires such committee to include one member appointed by the Secretary of the Interior representing individuals with disabilities. Rescinds specified unobligated FY 1994 appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Reform of Baseline Budget Title II: Changes in Discretionary Spending Limits Title III: Expedited Rescissions and Targeted Tax Benefits Title IV: Treatment of Emergency Spending Common Cents Budget Reform Act of 1994 - Title I: Elimination of Baseline Budgeting - Baseline Budgeting Reform Act of 1994 - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings) with respect to the baseline to remove requirements for inflation adjustments, except for purposes of adjusting discretionary spending limits. Removes the requirement that adjustments made for expiring housing contracts be sequential and cumulative. Requires the President's budget to include: (1) estimated expenditures and appropriations for the current year; (2) new budget authority in budget outlay comparisons; and (3) a certain comparison of levels of estimated expenditures and proposed appropriations that includes the proposed increase or decrease in spending in percentage terms. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to make conforming changes to the development of the concurrent resolution on the budget. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require the Congressional Budget Office to include in reports to budget committees certain current year comparisons and a table on sources of spending growth under current law in total mandatory spending for the budget year and the ensuing four fiscal years. Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to report annually to the Congress on all programs and activities with permanent or indefinite spending authority or those programs for which budget authority is not provided for in advance by appropriation Acts. Title II: Changes in Discretionary Spending Limits - Guaranteed Spending Cut Act of 1994 - Reduces discretionary spending limits for new budget authority for any fiscal year by the amount in the Deficit Reduction Account. Requires each appropriation or rescission bill to contain a Deficit Reduction Account containing amounts resulting from reduced spending. Title III: Expedited Rescissions and Targeted Tax Benefits - Modified Line Item Veto/Expedited Rescission Act of 1994 - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to provide for the expedited consideration of proposed rescissions of budget authority or repeals of targeted tax benefits. Title IV: Treatment of Emergency Spending - Emergency Appropriations Integrity Act of 1994 - Limits emergency appropriations and legislation to the matter of emergency. Allows such a statute to contain rescissions of budget authority or provisions that reduce spending. Makes it out of order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any bill or joint resolution containing an emergency designation, if the legislation provides an appropriation for any other item or matter.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1994
Authorizes the granting of a visa and admission to the United States for permanent residence pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality Act to a named individual.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1994
Immigration Moratorium Act of 1994 - Imposes a five-year immigration moratorium, with exceptions for refugees, certain priority and skilled workers, and immediate family members.
United States · United States Congress · 25 August 1994
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into appropriate arrangements with the National Academy of Sciences to coordinate the development of an improved meat and poultry inspection program. Obligates funding for such purpose.
United States · United States Congress · 24 August 1994
Commends the U.S. rice industry for its decision to establish an industry organization. Recognizes the success such decision will have in promoting the interests of the rice industry and the rice-consuming public.
United States · United States Congress · 19 August 1994
Private Property Rights Restoration Act - Grants the owner of real property a cause of action against the United States if: (1) the application of a statute, regulation, rule, guideline, or policy of the United States restricts, limits, or otherwise infringes a right to real property that would otherwise exist; and (2) such application would result in a discrete and non-negligible reduction in the fair market value of the affected portion of real property. Specifies that a prima facie case shall be established if the Government action results in a temporary or permanent diminution of fair market value of the affected portion of real property of the lesser of 25 percent or more, or $10,000 or more. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) jurisdiction; (2) recovery amount; (3) a public nuisance exception; (4) award of costs to a prevailing plaintiff; and (5) the applicable statute of limitations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 August 1994
Missing Service Personnel Act of 1994 - Requires the military commander of the unit, facility, or area to which the following persons are assigned to conduct an investigation as to their whereabouts after receiving factual information that their status is uncertain: (1) military personnel who disappear during a period of war, national emergency, or hostilities; and (2) any civilian Federal employee (including an employee of a Federal contractor) who serves with or accompanies an armed force in the field during such a period. Requires such persons to be placed in a missing status and requires notification of such status to either the officer having general court-martial authority over the person (for military personnel) or the Secretary of the military department employing such person (for civilian and contractor employees). Requires such officials to be kept informed (specifies deadlines) as to all information and inquiries concerning efforts to locate such missing personnel. Requires such officials to appoint a board to conduct an inquiry into the whereabouts and status of such persons. Provides for: (1) board composition, activities, and access to information; (2) inquiry proceedings (requiring the appointment of counsel, with specified duties, to represent the missing person); (3) a board recommendation as to the official status of a person following such an inquiry; (4) board reports to the officials involved as to board conclusions (prohibiting public availability of such reports for a one-year period); (5) report review by the official; (6) a report from such official to interested persons; and (7) an additional investigation and inquiry by an additional board upon receipt of new information within one year after the date of the first official notice of a person's disappearance. Allows interested persons (family members, dependents, next of kin) to participate at the proceedings of the board during such additional inquiry. Provides for the availability of appropriate information to board personnel conducting investigations and inquiries. Provides similar procedures for the second board with respect to meetings (open to the public, with exceptions), recommendations, reports, review by the Secretary of the military department concerned, and reports to interested persons. Requires a board to be reconvened when information becomes available that would directly lead to a determination of a person's status. Requires the Secretary concerned to appoint a board to conduct an inquiry as to the status of a missing person: (1) on or about three years after the first official notice of the disappearance of such person; and (2) not later than every three years thereafter until a total of 12 years after the first official notice. Provides for: (1) the release to a board by the Secretary concerned of all personnel file information concerning missing persons; (2) the treatment of classified information; (3) penalties for the wrongful withholding of information; (4) limited circumstances under which a board may recommend that a missing person be declared officially dead; (5) the submission by the board of appropriate information if such recommendation occurs; and (6) judicial review for interested persons of a board decision to declare a person officially dead. Provides for the appointment of a board to review the status of a person previously declared dead, with board procedures similar to those described above. Requires a person previously declared dead or in a missing status who is subsequently found alive to be paid for the full time of their absence.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 1994
Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act - Prohibits funds for foreign assistance from being made available for any country whose government prohibits or restricts the transport or delivery of U.S. humanitarian assistance. Waives such prohibition if the President notifies the Congress that providing such assistance is in the national security interest. Provides for a resumption of assistance when the President certifies to the Speaker of the House and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that such country is no longer prohibiting or restricting such transports or deliveries.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1994
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, consistent with U.S. obligations to limit agricultural export subsidies under the Uruguay Round Agreement, to promote U.S. agricultural exports.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1994
Instructs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to revise Medicare regulations governing payment for anesthesia services to compensate: (1) certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) for their services; and (2) physicians for supervision of CRNAs. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide guidelines for proportionally split payments for anesthesia services furnished jointly by a physician and a CRNA.