United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1991
Declares that the Senate: (1) extends a warm welcome to His Excellency Lech Walesa, President of the Republic of Poland, upon the occasion of his State Visit to the United States; (2) recalls the historic ties between the people of both countries; (3) applauds his commitment to economic and political reform; (4) reaffirms the Senate's and U.S. people's support for the independence and security of Poland; (5) looks forward to cooperation with Poland on issues relating to security and stability in Europe; and (6) commends the Bush Administration's decision to reduce Poland's debt to the United States, applauds the Paris Club's decision to reduce Poland's foreign debt, and urges Poland's private creditors to do the same.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1991
Residential Energy Efficiency Policy Act of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income the value of any financial assistance or service provided by a public utility to a residential customer for the purchase or installation of energy or water conservation measures.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1991
Department of Veterans Affairs Health-Care Personnel Act of 1991 - Redesignates the Veterans Health Services and Research Administration in the Department of Veterans Affairs (Department) as the Veterans Health Administration. Title I: Special Pay for Physicians and Dentists - Department of Veterans Affairs Physician and Dentist Recruitment and Retention Act of 1991 - Revises Federal provisions relating to special pay for Department physicians and dentists. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in order to recruit and retain highly qualified physicians and dentists, to provide special pay to such individuals under regulations prescribed by the Secretary after the Secretary has received the recommendations of the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Department. Conditions such special pay upon the execution of a written agreement by the physician or dentist to perform a period of obligated service within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Provides that such individual is not entitled to such special pay during the first three years of such service, except at the discretion of the Secretary for full-time services. Prohibits special pay for those physician and dentist positions for which there is no significant recruitment and retention problem. Authorizes the CMD to approve the payment of special pay to physicians and dentists employed on a less than half-time basis in specified circumstances. Prohibits the payment of special pay to physicians and dentists who: (1) are employed on less than a quarter-time or intermittent basis; (2) are in an internship or residency training position; or (3) are reemployed annuitants. Allows the Secretary to provide retention pay to physicians and dentists formerly receiving special pay but no longer eligible under new requirements outlined in this Act. Sets forth requirements of a written agreement, including provisions providing for: (1) a covered period of one to four years, with renewal permitted upon full completion of a prior agreement; (2) refunding of special pay on a prorated basis for unfulfilled services; (3) the waiver of such refund requirement due to circumstances beyond the control of the physician or dentist; (4) the inclusion of terms under which the Secretary and the physician or dentist may terminate the agreement; and (5) special review by the Secretary of an agreement which will differ radically (provide more than 50 percent more or more than 25 percent less) from special pay received under previous agreements or which, when added to basic pay, will exceed certain limits. Requires the Secretary to include in annual reports information concerning agreements approved or disapproved by the Secretary under which special pay differed radically or which, when combined with basic pay, exceeded a specified limit. States that all such pay limitation requirements and reports shall not apply to a proposed agreement entered into after FY 1994. Directs the Secretary to adjust special pay as necessary to reflect any change in status of a physician or dentist from part-time to full-time or vice versa. Directs the Secretary to provide special pay to eligible full-time physicians based upon specified factors, including: (1) tenure within the VHA; (2) service in a medical specialty for which it is extremely difficult to recruit and retain qualified professionals; (3) service in certain executive positions; (4) specialty or board certifications; (5) service in a geographic location for which there are extraordinary difficulties in the recruitment or retention of qualified personnel; and (6) service by a physician with exceptional qualifications within a specialty. Requires all special pay for such full-time physicians to be personally approved by the CMD on a case-by-case basis. Sets forth conditions and limitations to the payment of such special pay. Directs the Secretary to provide special pay to part-time eligible physicians based upon similar factors. Requires the Secretary to pay each such physician an amount of special pay equal to the proportion of full-time service that physician performs, up to a specified limit. Directs the Secretary to provide special pay to eligible full-time and part-time dentists based upon similar factors. Prohibits physicians or dentists receiving special pay for service in certain executive positions from receiving scarce specialty pay (another form of special pay that rewards scarce specialty areas of practice). Requires, with regard to the payment of special pay, determinations: (1) that there are extraordinary difficulties in recruitment or retention; (2) of the specific rate of special pay to be paid to each physician or dentist eligible; and (3) of whether there are extraordinary difficulties in a specific geographic location in the recruitment or retention of qualified physicians or dentists. Sets forth considerations for determinations with respect to extraordinary recruitment and retention difficulties and the payment of special pay for individual medical facilities of the Department. Provides minimum rates for the payment of special pay. Outlines the manner in which special pay is to be considered for purposes of other benefits laws for Federal employees. States that it is the policy of the Congress to assure that total pay for VHA physicians and dentists is comparable to total pay of other Government physicians and dentists and to the income of non-Federal physicians and dentists. Directs the Secretary: (1) in order to assist in implementing such policy, to obtain measures of income of such non-Department physicians and dentists and to define the bases for pay distinctions; (2) to report to the President quadrennially on appropriate amounts of special pay to VHA physicians and dentists to carry out such policy; and (3) to report to specified congressional committees annually on the use of authorities under this title. Allows the Secretary to authorize the CMD to pay advance payments, recruitment or relocation bonuses, retention allowances, and interview expenses to the following personnel in the same manner currently provided under Federal employment provisions: physicians, dentists, podiatrists, optometrists, registered nurses, physician assistants, and expanded-function dental auxiliaries. Directs the Secretary to reimburse any full-time board-certified physician or dentist appointed in the VHA for expenses incurred, up to $1,000 per year, for continuing professional education. Title II: Labor-Management Relations - Department of Veterans Affairs Labor Relations Improvement Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary to prescribe the hours and conditions of employment and leaves of absence of the following VHA employees: physicians, dentists, podiatrists, optometrists, nurses, physician assistants, and expanded-duty dental auxiliaries. Provides that the authority of the Secretary to prescribe regulations with regard to such employees is subject to the right of Federal employees to engage in the collective bargaining process with respect to conditions of employment. States that such collective bargaining may not cover, or have any applicability to, any matter or question arising out of: (1) professional conduct or competence; (2) peer review; or (3) the establishment, determination, or adjustment of employee compensation. Requires any VHA employee who accepts responsibilities for professional services for remuneration other than assigned responsibilities to work a minimum 80-hour biweekly amount. Outlines those outside activities and responsibilities that such a person may not engage in or take on while an employee of the Department. Provides that whenever the CMD brings charges against a Department employee based on conduct or performance and, as a result of those charges, an adverse (disciplinary) action is taken against the employee, the employee shall have the right to appeal the action, either through: (1) a Disciplinary Appeals Board; (2) Department procedures; or (3) grievance procedures provided through collective bargaining, depending on the type of action involved. Requires the Secretary to publish in the Federal Register any proposed regulations prescribed concerning the collective bargaining or adverse action procedures. States that Disciplinary Appeals Boards shall have exclusive jurisdiction to review any case: (1) which arises out of a question of professional conduct or competence of an employee of the Department employed on a full-time basis under a permanent appointment; and (2) in which a major adverse action was taken (suspension, transfer, reduction in grade or pay, or discharge). Gives employees involved in such a case the right to: (1) advance written notice of the charges and actions that could be taken if the charges are sustained; and (2) an opportunity to be heard both orally and in writing on such charges. Requires a decision on such case by a deciding official within 21 days after the employee's response to the charges. Allows for a delay in a proposed action for up to one year while an employee seeks counseling or treatment for a condition covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Allows the Secretary to require an employee to make a written or oral response to the charges within 30 days of receipt, with extension for good cause shown. Outlines further administrative action to be taken by the Board in a major adverse action appeals procedure, together with time limitations involved in each step. States that the Secretary's execution of the Board's decision shall be the final administrative action in the case, with the affected employee entitled to judicial review of the order or decision. Requires the Secretary to prescribe procedures for the consideration of grievances of Department employees arising from adverse actions in which each action taken either: (1) is not a major adverse action; or (2) does not arise out of a question of professional conduct or competence. States that Disciplinary Appeals Boards shall not have jurisdiction to review such matters other than as part of a mixed case. States that review of an adverse action shall be provided through either Department procedures or through grievance procedures provided through collective bargaining. Outlines the rights of employees under the Department procedures to: (1) a formal review by an impartial examiner within the Department; (2) a prompt report of findings; (3) a prompt review of the examiner's findings by a higher official; and (4) legal or other representation in adverse action reviews under grievance procedures. Requires the Secretary to appoint Disciplinary Appeals Boards to hear appeals of major adverse actions taken against full-time Department employees and based on professional conduct or performance. Authorizes the chairman of such a Board to authorize disclosure to the affected employee of records or information to be reviewed during an appeal procedure. Provides for the protection of the privacy of the individuals whose records are involved. Requires the Secretary to periodically designate Department employees qualified to serve on Disciplinary Appeals Boards and to announce that a list of such qualified employees is available to any person requesting such list. Requires the Secretary to provide training in the functions and duties of such Boards and grievance procedures for employees selected to be on the panel. Title III: Miscellaneous - Requires physician assistants and expanded-function dental auxiliaries to be paid in accordance with a Nurse Schedule in effect on August 14, 1990, until the effective date of a determination by the Secretary to convert those occupations to covered positions under provisions enacted by the Department of Veterans Affairs Nurse Pay Act of 1990. Authorizes the CMD to determine the rates of pay with respect to covered Department regional and central office employees in certain grades. Requires the CMD to prescribe regulations for the adjustment of basic pay rates for such employees in order to assure that those rates are sufficient and competitive. Amends the Veterans' Health Care Amendments of 1986 to extend through FY 1991 a required annual report on the furnishing of nonservice-connected health care services to veterans. Allows the Secretary to submit an administrative reorganization plan at any time during the year. Requires a 90-day congressional notification period to expire before the Secretary may implement the reorganization. Defines a covered administrative reorganization as one involving a reduction during any fiscal year in the number of full-time equivalent employees by: (1) 15 percent or more (currently, ten); or (2) a percent which, when added to the percentage reduction in the number of such employees at a covered office or facility for the preceding fiscal year, is 25 percent (currently, 15) or more. Requires a report from the Secretary to the veterans' committees for the reorganization of any unit of the central office of the Department that is the duty station of 30 or more employees (currently, more than 25 but less than 100). Title IV: Reorganization and Redesignation of Parts IV, V, and VI of Title 38 - Reorganizes through recodification within Federal law various provisions relating to the organization and functions of the VHA, including provisions relating to organization, general authority and administration, patient rights, and research corporations within the VHA.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1991
Biotechnology Patent Protection Act of 1991 - Amends Federal patent law to provide for the patentability of certain processes which are sought to be patented in the same application as the machine, manufacture, or composition of matter with which they are associated.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1991
Establishes the Manzanar National Historic Site in California to protect historical and cultural resources associated with the relocation of Japanese-Americans during World War II. Establishes the Manzanar National Historic Site Advisory Commission to consult with the Secretary of the Interior on matters relating to the development, management, and interpretation of the site. Terminates the Commission within ten years after the enactment of this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1991
Amends Federal veterans' and armed forces' educational assistance program provisions (the Montgomery GI Bill) to increase the monthly educational assistance benefits for: (1) active-duty personnel under the All-Volunteer Force educational assistance program; and (2) Selected Reserve personnel under the armed forces' educational assistance program. Increases the monthly contribution (payroll deduction) required for eligibility for basic educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill for both active-duty personnel and members of the Selected Reserve.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1991
Savings and Investment Incentive Act of 1991 - Title I: Retirement Savings Incentives - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to remove the limitations on deductions for individual retirement plans and provides a cost of living adjustment for deductible amounts. Establishes special individual retirement accounts that are nondeductible. Makes such accounts nontaxable if earnings on contributions are held for at least five years. Applies the early withdrawal penalty to distributions made before the end of the five year-period. Title II: Penalty-Free Distributions - Provides exemptions from the ten-percent penalty on early withdrawals from individual retirement plans for: (1) first home purchases; (2) higher education expenses; and (2) financially devasting medical expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1991
Environmental Marketing Claims Act of 1991 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish an environmental marketing claims regulatory program and an Independent Advisory Board to advise and make recommendations on the regulation of such claims. Requires the Administrator, in promulgating such regulations, to ensure that such claims are related to a specific environmental impact or attribute to ensure that the claims are not false or deceptive. Provides that such claims shall be substantiated on the basis of the best available scientific information. Requires the Administrator to assign products to categories based on the composition and packaging of the product. Sets forth requirements with respect to claims of recycled content, recyclability, reusability, compostability, or degradability of a product. Directs the Administrator to determine whether it is appropriate to promulgate additional regulations to: (1) reflect the best available technology to encourage higher performance levels in products and packaging; and (2) reflect the most recent scientific and practical knowledge of technological advances and improvements in manufacturing techniques and waste management. Provides for the triennial review of regulations. Authorizes interested individuals to petition the Administrator to promulgate additional regulations. Provides that an environmental marketing claim: (1) may be made two years after this Act's enactment if the environmental characteristic in the claim uses terms defined by the Administrator; (2) may not state the absence of an environmental attribute unless the attribute is a usual characteristic of the product or package or the Administrator permits such a statement because the statement would assist consumers making value comparisons with respect to environmental claims among products and packages; and (3) may not be made because the claim is misleading in light of another environmental characteristic of the product or package. Requires persons who intend to use environmental marketing claims for which the Administrator has promulgated a regulation to certify to the Administrator that the claims meet this Act's requirements. Directs persons using claims to resubmit a certification to the Administrator that the claims meet this Act's requirements if: (1) changes have been made in the product or the package that would affect its ability to meet previous regulatory requirements of the claim; or (2) new regulations have been promulgated under this Act relating to the claim being used. Makes it unlawful to fail to comply with regulations or certification requirements. Prescribes civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Sets forth provisions concerning citizen suits. Directs the Administrator to conduct a public information and education campaign to enable consumers to: (1) recognize environmental marketing claims regulated under this Act and be able to distinguish them from other claims; (2) have information about the criteria used by the Administrator in establishing standards and definitions for such claims; and (3) have a better understanding about the environmental effects of products and packages. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1991
Condemns: (1) the arrest and detention of Kenyan citizens for the peaceful expression of political views; and (2) the Kenyan Government's disregard of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Calls upon the Kenyan Government to: (1) end intimidation and harassment of those critical of government policies and those working for democracy in Kenya; and (2) implement safeguards to ensure freedom of the press and independence of the judiciary and to guarantee civil and human rights for individuals detained by the Government. Amends the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1991 to prohibit making available, obligating, or expending funds appropriated by any Act under the heading "Foreign Military Financing Program" for FY 1990 for Kenya until specified conditions are met.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1991
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the 1991 reauthorization of mass transit programs be considered as part of the solution to this country's transportation problems.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1991
Congratulates the people of Mongolia for a generally free and fair election process. Commends the political leaders and parties of Mongolia that worked together to achieve the creation of democratic pluralism and free market institutions. Urges the U.S. Government to continue to grant appropriate economic and technical assistance to Mongolia and its people. Welcomes the people of Mongolia into the community of free nations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1991
Calls upon: (1) Burma's State Law and Order Restoration Council to cede legal authority to a civilian government as mandated by the May 1990 elections; and (2) the United Nations Human Rights Commission to seek greater access to Burma for its Expert on human rights and to continue and expand its scrutiny of human rights in such country. Condemns: (1) the arrest and detention of Burmese citizens for the peaceful expression of their political views; and (2) such Government's disregard of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Urges: (1) the President to impose additional economic sanctions upon Burma pursuant to the Customs and Trade Act of 1990; (2) the United States to affirm its support for the resettlement of Burmese asylum seekers; and (3) the Government of Thailand to accord all displaced Burmese temporary safe haven, protection against return of those who might face persecution, and access to procedures for third country resettlement for those Burmese refugees who are without safe and reasonable alternatives.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1991
Condemns the Government of the People's Republic of China for human rights violations in China, including Tibet, and for the arrest and detention of Chinese citizens for the peaceful expression of their views. Calls upon such Government to: (1) release the number and names of political and religious prisoners, the charges against them, and the dates scheduled for their trials; (2) allow international human rights organizations to observe the trials of political prisoners and the Chinese judicial process and to allow the International Red Cross to visit detention and reeducation centers and prisons; and (3) cease its support of the Khmer Rouge forces in Cambodia. Urges the President to inform Chinese leaders that the persistence of human rights abuses and continued detention of political prisoners will have a negative effect upon decisions to renew most-favored-nation trade status.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1991
Grants General Schedule employees in the San Diego, California, Metropolitan Statistical Area an eight percent interim geographic pay increase as provided to other General Schedule employees in certain high cost of living areas under the Federal Employees Pay Comparability Act of 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1991
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States shall use diplomacy to encourage the Government of El Salvador and the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN) to: (1) participate in good-faith negotiations to achieve a cease-fire and permanent settlement of the conflict in El Salvador; (2) adhere to the terms of agreements signed in Geneva, Switzerland, Caracas, Venezuela, and San Jose, Costa Rica; and (3) support the role of the Secretary General of the United Nations in advancing proposals on the outstanding issues defined in the Caracas Accords to resolve the conflict. Withholds from El Salvador unobligated military assistance for FY 1991 and prior fiscal years and military assistance allocated for FY 1992 and 1993 until the Congress enacts a joint resolution authorizing the provision of such assistance and the President reports to the Congress that: (1) those responsible for ordering and carrying out, or obstructing the investigation into, the November 1989 murders of certain priests and civilians have been apprehended and brought to justice; (2) internationally recognized workers' rights have been extended to Salvadoran workers; (3) the El Salvadoran Government has pursued legal avenues to bring to trial and obtain verdicts for those responsible for the murders of Archbishop Romero and certain land reformers and for the bombings of the FENASTRAS headquarters; (4) the El Salvadoran Government is complying with international standards of respect for humanitarian and medical workers; (5) steps have been taken to place the El Salvadoran military under the control of the civilian government; (6) the El Salvadoran Government is negotiating to achieve a cease-fire and a settlement of the conflict and has not rejected a plan for the settlement of the conflict put forth by the United Nations Secretary General; and (7) the El Salvadoran Government, through its military and security forces, has not engaged in assassinations of, or acts of violence against, civilians and has not failed to control such activities by elements subject to the control of such forces. Prohibits funding for: (1) the stationing of U.S. military personnel in El Salvador as trainers or advisors to the El Salvadoran armed forces; and (2) the financing of covert operations in El Salvador or for covert military assistance to the El Salvadoran Government. Establishes the Demobilization, Transition, and Reconstruction Fund to assist with the cost of monitoring a permanent settlement of the conflict, the demobilization of combatants in the conflict and their transition to peaceful pursuits, and the reconstruction of El Salvador. Makes the Fund available only upon the President's notification to the Congress that the El Salvadoran Government and the FMLN have reached a permanent settlement to the conflict. Requires the President, upon notification of a permanent settlement or on September 30, 1992, if no notification has occurred prior to such date, to transfer withheld military assistance to the Fund. Prohibits economic support fund (ESF) assistance from being obligated as balance-of-payments or cash assistance for El Salvador. Makes ESF assistance for El Salvador available only for projects for child nutrition, health, clean water, basic education, agrarian reform, resettling refugees, and other human needs of the people of El Salvador. Requires such assistance to be used only for programs implemented solely by civilian agencies. Subjects ESF assistance for El Salvador to reprogramming notifications under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1991
Federal Facility Compliance Act of 1991 - Requires Federal agencies to perform assessments of hazardous substance releases from solid waste management units at each hazardous substance treatment, storage, or disposal facility owned or operated by such agencies after November 19, 1980. Requires such assessments to indicate whether such facilities are in compliance with specified environmental laws and to be provided to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and to States in which such facilities are located. Directs the EPA Administrator to inspect such facilities annually to enforce compliance with such laws. Requires such inspections to include an analysis of groundwater monitoring. Makes inspection records available to the public. Requires Federal agencies owning or operating such facilities to reimburse the EPA for inspection costs. Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to waive sovereign immunity for Federal agencies with respect to certain requirements under such Act. Makes Federal employees subject to criminal sanctions under Federal or State solid or hazardous waste laws. Permits Federal agencies to: (1) represent or expend funds to represent an employee in State criminal proceedings if the actions for which representation were requested appear to have been performed within the scope of the employee's employment; and (2) reimburse an employee for defense costs in Federal criminal proceedings if actions were performed within such scope. Authorizes the Administrator to commence enforcement actions against Federal agencies pursuant to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1991
Migration Affairs Reorganization Act of 1991 - Establishes the Agency for Migration Affairs to direct U.S. immigration and refugee policy. Transfers to the Agency: (1) all immigration functions of the Attorney General and the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization; and (2) specified functions of the Secretary of State and specified components of the Department of State. Transfers related personnel and assets. Abolishes: (1) the Immigration and Naturalization Service; and (2) the Office of the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit tax-exempt private foundations and community foundations to establish tax-exempt cooperative service organizations to operate exclusively for charitable purposes. Declares that the excise tax based on investment income applies to such organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1991
Prohibits the taking of predators or scavengers naturally occurring on public lands without the written approval of the applicable Secretary. Allows such taking: (1) only after an opportunity for public comment; and (2) only if such taking will maintain the species at a level consistent with its role in the ecosystem and is in the public interest. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1991
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) all Arab nations should recognize Israel, end the economic boycott against Israel, end the state of belligerency with Israel, and enter into direct negotiations with Israel for the purpose of concluding peace treaties and establishing full diplomatic relations; and (2) the United States should use all available means to influence and encourage the Arab states which were allied with it in the Persian Gulf War to achieve those objectives.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1991
Civil Rights Amendments Act of 1991 - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Civil Rights Act of 1968 to prohibit discrimination on the basis of affectional or sexual orientation. Provides that this Act shall not be construed to permit a finding of discrimination based on statistical differences or the fashioning of any remedy requiring a quota.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the targeted jobs credit permanently. Increases the maximum age requirement for economically disadvantaged youth from 23 to 25. Allows employers to use the targeted jobs credit for employment of economically disadvantaged Persian Gulf veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1991
War Crimes Prevention Education Act of 1991 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to prohibit foreign assistance to any country whose government engages in a consistent pattern of violations of international humanitarian law in situations of armed conflict. Prohibits, unless the President certifies to specified congressional officials that extraordinary circumstances warrant provision of such assistance: (1) foreign assistance to such countries' law enforcement forces and the issuance of licenses for the export of crime control and detection equipment to such countries; and (2) international military education and training assistance to such countries. Prohibits foreign assistance to any country that refuses to provide assurances that its training programs for military officers will include instruction on compliance with international humanitarian law in situations of armed conflict or whose armed forces commit violations of such law during an armed conflict. Waives such prohibition if national security interests warrant such waiver. Directs the Secretary of State, as part of the presentation materials for foreign assistance programs, to report on the observance of guarantees of international humanitarian law in situations of armed conflict in each country proposed as a recipient of foreign assistance. Requires the Secretary, at the request of the Congress, to submit information concerning a country's observance of such guarantees. Prohibits the delivery of foreign assistance to a country if the requested information is not submitted. Makes available funding for countries that have improved their records in observing international humanitarian law. Exempts training relating to international humanitarian guarantees in situations of armed conflict from a prohibition on the provision of police training assistance to foreign countries.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1991
Authorizes Merced County, California, to permit certain land conveyed by the United States to the County for use as a public park and recreation area to be used for an elementary school.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1991
Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate a specified segment of the Merced River, California, as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to permit the construction and operation of pumping facilities at the Saxon Creek Project. Withdraws certain segments of such river and the South Fork Merced River from appropriation under the mining laws. Designates the North Fork of the Merced River for potential addition to the System.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1991
Authorizes the President to present a gold medal to General Colin Powell in recognition of his exemplary performance in planning and coordinating the U.S. military response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1991
Parents as Partners in Learning Act of 1991 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make grants for Parents as Partners in Learning (PPL) programs for building effective parent involvement in children's education and to improve student achievement. Gives priority to programs which show potential as models and which serve families with the greatest need of assistance. Makes eligible for such grants State or local educational agencies, individual schools, nonprofit private organizations, institutions of higher education, and businesses. Directs the Secretary to establish and operate, by grant or contract with a specified kind of nonprofit organization a National Advisory Center for Parents as Partners in Learning to provide technical assistance, staff training, and model materials for PPL programs. Directs the Secretary to evaluate such grants annually, and disseminate such information. Sets forth a gradually declining Federal share of program costs in grant payments. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1991
Omnibus Eastern European Security Assistance Act of 1991 - Requires at least 20 percent of the funds made available each fiscal year to carry out the international military education and training program under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to be made available to train Central and Eastern European military personnel and civilian political leaders and their staffs. Requires trainees under such program to receive instruction designed to promote adherence to protecting civilians and prisoners from harm and intimidation, reporting to the proper authorities all human rights abuses by military forces, and accepting the authority of elected civilian officials. Directs the President, through the Secretary of State and the Attorney General, to ensure that a significant number of students from Central and Eastern Europe be included in the training offered by the National Academy of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to furnish international criminal investigative training and administration of justice assistance to countries and organizations in Central and Eastern Europe. Outlines authorized activities and types of assistance. Prohibits any program or exchange from taking place with the authorities of a nonelected government or with a regime that carries out human rights violations or is negligent in the prosecution of hate crimes. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Director of the U.S. Information Agency to require the translation into the appropriate languages of books and other materials concerning transitions to democracy and civilian control over justice, military, and security forces for distribution to parliaments, relevant ministries, and institutions of higher learning throughout Central and Eastern Europe. Directs the Secretary, together with the Attorney General, to report to specified congressional committees on possible sites for the establishment of at least three legal attache posts at U.S. embassies in Central and Eastern Europe.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1991
Reproductive Health Equity Act - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act, the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, the Peace Corps Act, the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act, and other Federal laws covering armed forces personnel and dependents, certain veterans, Federal employees' health benefits, and Federal penal and correctional institutions to provide that services related to abortion be made available to the same extent as are other pregnancy-related services under federally-funded programs. Repeals provisions of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act requiring submission of a resource allocation plan to the Congress by December 17, 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1991
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the U.S. Government should be actively involved in promoting American small businesses to help rebuild Kuwait; (2) the Administrator of the Small Business Administration and the Secretaries of Commerce, Defense, and State should cooperate in providing assistance to American small businesses seeking to become involved in such rebuilding; and (3) the Administrator should conduct a public information campaign using local and national offices to advise American small businesses about becoming involved in such activities.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1991
Department of the Environment Act of 1991- Title I: Elevation of the Environmental Protection Agency to Cabinet Level - Department of the Environment Act - Redesignates the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the Department of the Environment, an executive agency to be administered by a Secretary of the Environment. Encourages the Secretary to: (1) assist the Secretary of State in participating in international environmental protection agreements and organizations; (2) conduct research on international environmental problems and develop responses to such problems; and (3) provide technical and other assistance to foreign countries and international bodies to improve the environment. Provides for the continuance of specified EPA positions without renomination or reconfirmation. Establishes: (1) a Bureau of Environmental Statistics within the Department; and (2) an Advisory Council on Environmental Statistics to advise the Bureau on statistics and analyses. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Environment to make grants to, and enter into contracts with, State and local governments to assist in data collection. Directs the Secretary to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences for a study and report on the adequacy of the Department's data collection procedures and capabilities. Sets forth administrative provisions concerning the acquisition of gifts, property, copyrights, and patents by the Department. Provides that the EPA seal shall be the official departmental seal until the Secretary approves another seal. Prescribes civil and criminal penalties for unauthorized uses of the seal. Authorizes the Secretary to promulgate regulations governing advisory committee standards of conduct and compensation. Sets forth conflict-of-interest disclosure requirements for persons entering into contracts or other arrangements for the provision of services with the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations requiring public notice to be given when the award of a contract, agreement, or other arrangement may result in a conflict-of-interests. Title II: Environmental Role of the United States in International Organizations to Which It Belongs - Urges the Secretary of State to convene international conferences to encourage the exchange of information on energy efficiency and environmentally acceptable renewable energy sources. Requires the President to encourage the establishment of an international office to monitor annual generation of carbon dioxide and trace gases on a country-by-country basis. Title III: Establishment of the Commission on Improving Environmental Protection - Establishes the Commission on Improving Environmental Protection to make recommendations on the implementation of Federal environmental laws to protect human health and the environment. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1991
National and Community Service Incentive Act of 1991 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for partial cancellation or repayment of certain student loans for borrowers who perform a year or more of specified types of full-time, low-paid voluntary community service. Revises the direct (Perkins) student loan program to provide for partial loan cancellation for full-time volunteer service (comparable to Peace Corps or VISTA service) with a tax-exempt organization. (Current law provides for partial cancellation for service in the Peace Corps or VISTA.) Revises the guaranteed (Stafford) student loan program to provide for partial loan repayment for service in the Peace Corps or VISTA or for comparable full-time service as a volunteer with a tax-exempt organization. Sets certain maximum compensation limitations as a requirement for specified deferments of Stafford and Perkins loans.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1991
Applauds and expresses the appreciation of the Nation to President George Bush, Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Colin Powell, Desert Storm Commander Norman Schwarzkopf, the American forces deployed in the Persian Gulf region, the forces from our coalition partners, and the families of American service men and women participating in Operation Desert Storm. Sends condolences to the families of those killed during such operation. Demands from Saddam Hussein: (1) the immediate release of all prisoners of war held by Iraq; (2) a complete accounting for all American and coalition forces listed as missing in action or otherwise unaccounted for; and (3) the immediate and unconditional release and return of all Kuwaiti citizens held by Iraqi forces. Urges all relevant authorities to seriously examine the issue of possible war crimes by Hussein and other Iraqi military leaders and forces and to hold Iraq responsible in principle for reparations for the destruction caused by the invasion and occupation of Kuwait.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1991
Women's Health Equity Act of 1991 - Title I: Research - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish within the Office of the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) the Office of Research on Women's Health (Office) to ensure that women's health research is identified and addressed by NIH. Establishes in the Office the Coordinating Committee for Research on Women's Health and the Advisory Committee for Research on Women's Health. Mandates that the Director of the Office prepare and annually review a plan for establishing a program for clinical research on obstetrics and gynecology to be conducted by the Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHHD). Requires the NICHHD Director to establish a program of contracts with individuals who agree to conduct obstetrics and gynecology research in return for the Federal Government paying, to a specified maximum, the educational loans of the individuals. Requires the NIH Director to establish a single data system for the collection, analysis, and dissemination of information regarding women's health research conducted or supported by NIH, including a registry of clinical trials of experimental treatments. Requires the NIH Director to establish and operate a program to provide information on research and prevention activities relating to women's health research. Provides for grants or contracts for the development and operation of Centers of Excellence in Women's Health Research using a single institution or a consortium for each Center. Provides, subject to appropriations, for three centers, with support covering five years. Allows extension of support if recommended by a technical and scientific peer review group. Authorizes appropriations for specified provisions of this subtitle. Amends provisions of the Public Health Service Act relating to the national research institutes and provisions relating to the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration (ADAMHA) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to ensure, in conducting or supporting clinical research, that women and minority groups are included as research subjects, unless inappropriate. Requires that any project be designed and carried out so as to provide for a valid analysis of whether the research variables affect women or minorities differently than other subjects. Directs the Secretary to establish within the advisory council of each agency of an institute and ADAMHA a Clinical Research Equity Subcommittee to review all clinical research of that agency to determine whether the research is being conducted in accordance with requirements of this Act. Provides for suspension or revocation of the authority for any project the Secretary determines is not being conducted in accordance with those requirements. Defines "minority groups" to mean racial and ethnic minority groups. Requires that the technical and scientific peer review process in the institutes and ADAMHA include an evaluation of the inclusion of women and minority groups as research subjects. Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish in the Office of the Administrator of ADAMHA the Office of Research on Women's Health and Mental Health (Office) to ensure that women's health and mental health research is identified and addressed by ADAMHA. Establishes in the Office the Coordinating Committee for Research on Women's Health and the Advisory Committee for Research on Women's Health. Requires that the Administrator establish: (1) a single data system for the collection, analysis, and dissemination of information regarding women's health and mental health research, including a registry of clinical trials of experimental treatments; and (2) a program to provide information on women's health and mental health research. Provides for grants or contracts for the development and operation of Centers of Excellence in Women's Health and Mental Health Research using a single institution or a consortium for each Center. Provides, subject to appropriations, for three centers, with support covering five years. Allows extension of support if recommended by a technical and scientific peer review group. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for research on alcohol abuse and alcoholism, earmarking certain amounts for such research relating to women. Authorizes to be appropriated, in addition to sums already authorized, a certain amount to the National Cancer Institute for breast cancer research other than research which involves treatment or clinical trials. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the Institute of Child Health and Human Development to make grants and enter into contracts for centers for improving methods of contraception and centers for diagnosing and treating infertility. Requires the Director, subject to appropriations, to provide for three centers with respect to contraception and two centers with respect to infertility. Requires each center to: (1) conduct clinical and other applied research; (2) develop training protocols for and conduct training of physicians, scientists, nurses, and other health and allied health professionals; (3) develop model continuing education programs; and (4) disseminate information to such professionals. Allows a center to use the funds to provide: (1) stipends for health and allied health professionals enrolled in the training programs; and (2) fees to individuals serving as subjects in the clinical trials. Requires each center to use the facilities of a single institution, or be formed from a consortium of cooperating institutions, meeting requirements as prescribed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Allows support for a center to be for a period of up to five years, with extensions of one or more periods of up to five years if the center's operations have been reviewed by a peer review group and the group has so recommended. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary to establish a program of entering into agreements with health professionals, including graduate students, under which the professionals agree to conduct research with respect to contraception or infertility in consideration for the Government agreeing to repay, for each year of such service, not more than a specified amount of the principal and interest of their educational loans. Applies provisions of the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program to this program, except as inconsistent. Authorizes appropriations. Requires amounts appropriated to remain available until the end of the second fiscal year after they are appropriated. Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that the Congress should: (1) establish a program of research for the development of methods of contraception and methods of diagnosing and treating infertility; (2) provide adequate long-term resources for the program; (3) ensure that Federal programs with respect to sexually transmitted diseases adequately respond to the role of such diseases in infertility; (4) ensure public education on contraception and infertility; (5) establish as Federal goals the development, by the year 2010, of improved barrier methods to protect against pregnancy and diseases, new methods of contraception for use by men, a vaccine-like drug for women that prevents pregnancy for a significant period of time without other specified effects, and new and improved techniques of diagnosing and treating infertility; (6) require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to reestablish the Ethical Advisory Board in order to facilitate research with respect to infertility; (7) review the policies and procedures of the Food and Drug Administration with respect to expediting approval of drugs and devices for use by the public, especially with respect to contraception and infertility; and (8) determine to what extent measures can be implemented by public or private entities to resolve liability issues involved with drugs and devices concerned with contraception and infertility. Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Director of the NIH, the Administrator of the ADAMHA, or both, to establish a program to conduct biomedical and behavioral research on cases of infection with the etiologic agent for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in women. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct the research directly or through grants. Specifies forms of research to be included. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes appropriations for grants for community-based clinical trials on experimental treatments for such infection for women. Allows the Director of NIH to authorize grantees to expend the grants to provide individuals with such transportation, child care, and other incidental services as may be necessary to enable the individuals to participate as subjects in the trials. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Director of the National Institutes of Health and the Director of the National Cancer Institute, to conduct or support basic research on certain aspects of ovarian cancer. Prohibits the Secretary from conducting or supporting clinical research on the same matters. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMSD), the Director of the National Institute on Aging (NIA), and the Director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDKD) to expand and intensify research on osteoporosis and related bone disorders. Requires, with respect to osteoporosis and related bone disorders: (1) the NIAMSD Director to increase the number of Specialized Centers of Research; (2) the NIA Director to increase the number of program project grants devoted to creating centers of excellence; and (3) the NIDDKD Director to increase the number of grants in osteoporosis. Authorizes appropriations. Establishes in the Department of Health and Human Services the Interagency Council on Osteoporosis and Related Disorders and the Advisory Panel on Osteoporosis and Related Disorders. Authorizes appropriations for the Advisory Panel. Requires the NIAMSD Director to make grants or enter into contracts to establish a Resource Center on Osteoporosis and Related Disorders to: (1) disseminate information about research results, services, and educational materials to health professionals, patients, and the public; and (2) coordinate leadership training for the development of health professional resource networks. Requires grant and contract recipients to establish: (1) a central computerized information system to, among other matters, translate scientific and technical information into information readily understandable by the general public; and (2) a national toll-free telephone information line. Requires the grant or contract recipient to charge fees for providing information, but allows exceptions for individuals and organizations unable to pay. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Services - Requires any State receiving funds under titles V (Maternal and Child Health Block Grant) or XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act or under the preventive health service provisions of the Public Health Service Act to require any physician or surgeon licensed to practice medicine in such State to inform any breast cancer patient of alternative methods of treatment for breast cancer before such treatment is begun. Requires that the patients be informed by means of: (1) a standardized written summary in layman's language and in a language understood by the patient of alternative methods of treatment; and (2) an explanation of the treatment options described in such written summary together with the risks associated with each procedure relative to each patient's particular medical circumstances. Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to provide Medicare and Medicaid coverage of obstetrical and gynecological services furnished by nurse practitioners. Amends the Public Health Service Act to replace the title on adolescent family life demonstration projects with a title on adolescent pregnancy prevention, care, and research grants. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to provide, supplement, or improve the quality of care services to pregnant adolescents and their male partners and adolescent parents and prevention services to nonpregnant adolescents. Requires grantees to charge fees for services only under a fee schedule, approved by the Secretary, based on the income of the person and taking into account the difficulty adolescents face in obtaining resources to pay for services. Prohibits discrimination because of an individual's inability to pay for services. Sets forth priorities in making grants, including giving priority to applicants that: (1) serve an area with a high incidence of adolescent pregnancy; and (2) serve an area with a high proportion of low-income families and low availability of care programs. Requires that the amount of a grant be set by the Secretary. Limits a grant, subject to waiver for one year, to 75 percent of the cost of a program. Specifies the information and assurances which must accompany a grant application. Directs the Secretary to coordinate Federal policies and programs providing services relating to the prevention of initial and recurrent adolescent pregnancies and providing care services, including by requiring grantees under these provisions to report concerning Federal, State, and local policies that interfere with delivery and coordination of programs of care for pregnant adolescents and adolescent parents. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education to support and disseminate the results of research relating to adolescent pregnancy. Limits grants or contracts to: (1) one year, subject to renewal for four additional one-year periods; and (2) subject to waiver, a specified dollar amount. Allows funds to be used for descriptive or explanatory surveys, evaluation studies, longitudinal studies, or limited programs for services that are for the purpose of increasing knowledge and understanding of specified matters. Directs the Secretary to establish a system for the review of grant and contract applications which is similar to the system of scientific peer review of the National Institutes of Health. Allows grants only to programs determined by the review panel to have scientific merit. Authorizes appropriations, earmarking at least two-thirds of appropriated funds for services, with no more than one-third of those amounts used for grants for prevention services. Prohibits using grant funds for the performance of an abortion. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants in FY 1991 through 1995 for the establishment or support of adolescent health demonstration projects. Requires such projects to: (1) provide nutrition and hygiene counseling, health care related to sports, family planning information and services, prenatal and postpartum care, family life and parenting counseling, and alcohol and drug abuse education and treatment; (2) serve adolescents before their graduation from high school; (3) encourage family participation; and (4) establish community advisory committees. Directs the Secretary to give priority to project applicants who will serve areas with low-income or minority populations. States that no grant funds may be used to perform or pay for abortions. Amends the Internal Revenue Code, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and the Public Health Service Act (the Acts) to declare that specified provisions relating to the required period of group health plan continuation coverage do not apply to the qualifying events of death, divorce, or legal separation involving a beneficiary who is 50 years old or older. Requires that coverage continue until the 23rd birthday, or 36 months after the qualifying event, whichever is later, for an individual who is a dependent child beneficiary under 20 years old at the time of such an event involving a covered employee 50 years old or older. Amends the Acts to modify: (1) the termination of extended coverage for disability and the general rule for other qualifying events, as they relate to the maximum required period of continuation coverage; and (2) dates by which certain notice must be given. Requires any contract for health benefits for Federal employees that provides obstetrical benefits to also provide benefits for family-building procedures. Provides that payment terms or conditions under such contracts shall be no more restrictive for family-building benefits than for obstetrical benefits. Defines "family-building procedure" as a medical procedure to overcome infertility (including procedures to achieve pregnancy and procedures to carry pregnancy to term) and procedures relating to child adoption. Requires such contracts to provide that: (1) benefits shall consist of reimbursement for reasonable and necessary medical expenses and counseling fees directly relating to the adoption of a child; and (2) benefits shall be available in connection with obstetrical care for the biological mother and medical care for the child if, or to the extent that, the pre-adoptive or adoptive parent or parents are legally responsible for the cost of such care. Directs the Office of Personnel Management to authorize the use of sick leave for purposes relating to family-building procedures. Title III: Prevention - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to phase-in mandatory State coverage of pregnant women and infants whose family income is below 185 percent of the Federal poverty level. Deducts child and medical care costs from the income eligibility test. Authorizes States to provide Medicaid coverage of prenatal home visitation services for high-risk pregnant women and/or postpartum home visitation services for high-risk infants. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require certification in order for a facility to perform or interpret mammograms, inspect equipment, or conduct quality assurance oversight related to mammography. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue and renew certificates for up to two years. Requires, in order to be certified, that a facility be accredited. Allows the Secretary to approve a private nonprofit organization to be an accreditation body which meets certain requirements, including inspecting facilities. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish standards for facilities to assure the safety and accuracy of mammography; (2) specify organizations eligible to certify individuals to perform radiological procedures; (3) specify boards eligible to certify individuals to interpret screening mammograms; (4) establish standards regarding the qualifications for individuals to interpret screening mammograms; and (5) specify boards eligible to certify individuals to inspect screening mammography equipment and oversee quality assurance practices. Directs the Secretary to conduct annual announced and unannounced inspections of certified facilities. Provides for: (1) intermediate sanctions for certain violations; (2) suspension, revocation, and limitation of certificates; and (3) injunctions. Requires fees for certificate issuance and renewal, and for inspections, sufficient to cover costs. Requires annual publication of a list of facilities convicted of fraud and abuse, false billings, or kickbacks, facilities that have had certificates revoked, suspended, or limited, and facilities that have been the subject of a sanction or other similar matters. Allows the Secretary to exempt facilities in a State with more stringent requirements from compliance with this Act. Directs the Secretary to: (1) make grants for research on new methods of establishing a Mammography Registry; and (2) based on the research, establish the Registry. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require that screening mammographies paid for under Medicare be performed by a facility: (1) certified under this Act; and (2) in compliance with specified provisions of this Act. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to provide Medicaid coverage of: (1) screening mammographies for women age 35 and older conducted in accordance with the frequency guidelines established by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 for such coverage under the Medicare Program (title XVIII of the Social Security Act); and (2) screening pap smears. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide Medicare coverage of bone mass measurements. Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants regarding prevention of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases in women, including preventive health services, screening, providing treatment (for such diseases other than AIDS), referrals, and follow-up services. Requires that a grantee be an entity that provides health or voluntary family planning services: (1) to a significant number of low-income women; and (2) in an area with a significant number of AIDS cases in women and in newborn infants. Requires that grantees maintain the confidentiality of information on individuals, subject to complying with applicable law. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, with regard to any treatable sexually transmitted disease that can cause infertility in women if treatment is not received for the disease, to make grants for specified activities, including counseling, screening, treatment, referrals, outreach, public information and education, training for health care providers, and data collection. Directs the Secretary to establish criteria for ensuring the quality of screening for such diseases. Limits grants to three years. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for research on improving the delivery of services under this subtitle. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1991
Authorizes to be appropriated, in addition to sums already authorized, a certain amount to the National Cancer Institute for breast cancer research other than research which involves treatment or clinical trials.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1991
Live Performing Arts Labor Relations Amendments - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to exclude specified types of employers and performers in the live performing arts from coverage under unfair labor practice provisions: (1) prohibiting specified contracts or agreements between employers and labor organizations; and (2) prohibiting specified actions of labor organizations to force or require cessation of dealings with others, joining of labor or employer organizations, or recognition of or negotiation with labor organizations not certified as representative. Permits such employers to: (1) agree with a labor organization to make membership in it a condition of performing arts employment; and (2) make agreements with a labor organization covering performing artists even if its majority status has not yet been established. Defines "employer" to include purchasers of live musical performance services. Defines "employee" to include independent contractors engaged to perform live musical services.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1991
Central Valley Project Improvement Act - Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from entering into any contract to sell or deliver water from the Central Valley Project (CVP), California (a Bureau of Reclamation facility) on any basis or for any purpose other than fish and wildlife before certain requirements have been met, including those enumerated later under this Act with respect to wetland habitats, anadromous fish populations, and fisheries and water of affected Indian entities. Provides for an exception to such prohibition for long-term contracts for the sale of a specified amount of CVP water to California water agencies for municipal and industrial purposes. Requires the revenues from such long-term contracts to be covered into the Restoration Fund established later by this Act. Prohibits the renewal of CVP water delivery contracts (other than contracts for fish and wildlife water supply purposes) for longer than one year until the requirements referenced above and enumerated later by this Act have been met. Provides an exception to such prohibition for long-term renewals if: (1) the contractor agrees to forego ten percent of the previous contract amount of water, plus an additional one percent for each year beyond ten years, for fish and wildlife purposes; and (2) the Secretary has analyzed such contract's impact pursuant to Federal environmental laws and complied with applicable State environmental laws. Requires the Secretary to prepare a programmatic environmental impact statement on CVP water contract renewals. Establishes the terms and conditions for all new and newly renewed or amended CVP water contracts for agricultural, municipal, or industrial purposes. Places restrictions on the transfer of water under contract to users in California. Requires contractors to meter ground and surface water and to take responsibility for ensuring that drainage discharges meet all applicable State and Federal water quality standards. Authorizes and directs the Secretary to operate CVP so as to: (1) protect, restore, and enhance affected fish, wildlife, and related habitat; and (2) treat them equitably with the other purposes for which CVP is authorized to operate. Directs the Secretary to: (1) provide firm water supplies of suitable quality to maintain and improve wetland habitats on specified national wildlife refuges, wildlife management areas, and a certain grasslands resource conservation district in California; (2) develop and adopt a program for the mitigation of damage suffered by anadromous fish populations on specified rivers as a result of CVP contruction or operation; (3) develop, adopt, and implement a program to comply with specified provisions of the California Fish and Game Code; and (4) develop and report to the Congress a plan to fulfill U.S. trust obligations with respect to the fisheries and water of affected Indian entities. Sets forth determinations for the quantity and delivery schedules of water for the national wildlife refuges referenced above. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to investigate and report to the Congress on CVP's effects on anadromous fish populations and the fisheries, communities, tribes, businesses and other interests that have or had significant economic, social, or cultural association with those fishery resources. Establishes the Central Valley Project Restoration Fund (Restoration Fund) for the receipt of revenues and funds provided by this Act. Provides revenues for the Restoration Fund by directing the Secretary of the Interior to impose surcharges on CVP power and water sales to implement the fish and wildlife restoration goals of this Act. Requires the Secretary to contribute half of the surcharge revenues to a private, non-profit California-based Central Valley Project Restoration Trust (Restoration Trust) established by this Act. Sets forth requirements which the Restoration Trust must meet in order to be eligible to receive such contributions. Outlines additional uses of funds deposited in the Restoration Fund, with priority given to restoration and acquisition of lands and properties in the CVP area. Bars the Secretary from making any expenditures from the Restoration Fund, other than the contribution to the Restoration Trust, until California commits to implement specified fish and wildlife protection and restoration measures on the Sacramento River. Outlines additional authority granted to the Secretary by this Act with respect to CVP. Directs the Secretary to establish and administer an office on CVP water conservation best management practices to develop water conservation standards and criteria for CVP. Provides for review, improvement, and implementation of water contractors conservation plans required by the Reclamation Reform Act of 1982. Provides sanctions for failure to comply with such standards and criteria. Authorizes provision of Federal financial assistance to those CVP irrigation contractors who renewed their contracts on a long-term basis under provisions outlined above to cover up to half the costs of implementing the project involved, under certain conditions. Requires annual progress reports to the Congress from the Secretary on the implementation of this Act. Provides for citizen suits for alleged violations of the requirements of this Act. Establishes the Central Valley Project Transfer Advisory Committee to prepare and submit to the President and the Congress a report on all issues associated with CVP's transfer to California. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1991
Comprehensive Maternal and Early Childhood Health Care Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide for the use of certain funds appropriated for migrant health centers (MHCs) and community health centers (CHCs) for: (1) the development and operation of Comprehensive Perinatal and Early Childhood Health Programs (CPECHPs); and (2) expanding services for pregnant women and children where MHCs and CHCs are already operating Comprehensive Perinatal Care Programs. Provides for grants to MHCs and CHCs for the CPECHPs. Limits the amount of funds appropriated for CHCs which may be used to plan and develop CHCs. Authorizes appropriations for immunizing individuals without charge and for related research, demonstration projects, public information and education, and professional training. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), to provide vaccines to the health department of each State, spending a specified minimum amount. Amends the Vaccine and Immunization Amendments of 1990 to direct the Secretary, through the CDC, to: (1) make grants to States (currently, to public and nonprofit private entities) for demonstration projects to provide, without administrative charge (currently, without charge), immunizations to children not over two years old; and (2) provide immunizations related to certain programs under the Public Health Service Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966; and (3) maintain private physician participation in immunization services and to encourage private physicians to provide such services to infants and children enrolled under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Public Health Service Act to add substance abuse treatment and prevention services to the list of supplemental health services with regard to MHCs and CHCs. Replaces provisions mandating model drug and alcohol abuse projects for pregnant and postpartum women and their infants with provisions directing the Secretary, through the Director of the Office for Substance Abuse Prevention, to make demonstration grants for substance abuse prevention, education, and treatment projects serving pregnant and postpartum women and their infants. Includes in the services to be offered outreach, prenatal and postpartum health care, pediatric health care, support services such as child care and transportation, referrals, employment counseling, and case management. Requires that services covered by title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act be provided by an entity qualified to receive Medicaid payments. Requires non-Federal matching contributions in a specified ratio. Limits grants to five years; allows renewal. Directs the Secretary to assist the prenatal clinics in the United States in implementing smoking cessation programs to decrease rates of smoking during pregnancy. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to or contracts with public entities for programs and policies to prevent and encourage cessation of tobacco use during pregnancy. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1991
Reclamation Waste Water and Ground Water Study Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting pursuant to the Reclamation Act of 1902 and other Federal reclamation laws, to investigate and identify opportunities for reclamation and reuse of municipal, industrial, domestic, and agricultural waste water, and naturally impaired ground and surface waters. Directs the Secretary to undertake appraisal investigations to identify opportunities and make recommendations for water reclamation and reuse. Authorizes the Secretary to participate with appropriate Federal, State, regional, and local authorities in studies to determine the feasibility of water reclamation and reuse projects recommended. Limits the Federal share of study costs to 50 percent, except when the Secretary determines that due to financial hardship the non-Federal participant in such study is unable to contribute at least 50 percent of such costs. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a study to assess the feasibility of a comprehensive water reclamation and reuse system for southern California. Requires such a study for southern Arizona. Directs the Secretary to conduct a feasibility study of the potential for development of demonstration and permanent facilities to reclaim and reuse water in the San Diego and San Jose metropolitan service areas. Directs the Secretary to conduct a feasibility study of the potential for development of facilities to utilize fully waste water from the regional waste water treatment plant for direct municipal, industrial, agricultural, and environmental purposes, groundwater recharge and direct potable reuse in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a study to assess and develop means of reclaiming the waters of Lake Cheraw, Colorado, or otherwise ameliorating, controlling, and mitigating potential negative impacts of pollution in the Lake waters on ground water resources or on the waters of the Arkansas River. Limits the Federal share of study costs to 50 percent. Authorizes the Secretary to participate with the City of Los Angeles, State of California, West Basin Municipal Water District, and other appropriate authorities, in the design, planning, and construction of water reclamation and reuse projects to treat a specified amount of effluent from the Hyperion Service Area, City of Los Angeles, in order to provide new water supplies for industrial, environmental, and other beneficial purposes, to reduce the demand for imported water, and to reduce sewage effluent discharge into Santa Monica Bay. Limits the Secretary's share of project costs to 25 percent. Authorizes appropriations. Requires congressional reports for such investigations and studies. Directs the Secretary: (1) acting through the Bureau of Reclamation and the Geological Survey, to conduct an investigation and analysis of the impacts of existing Bureau projects on the quality and quantity of groundwater resources; and (2) to prepare a reclamation groundwater management and technical assistance study concerning such resources. Requires the Secretary to consult with Governors of affected States in conducting such investigation, analysis, and study. Requires a congressional report concerning such study. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1991
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that there is no reduction in the levels of hospital care, nursing home care, and medical services furnished to eligible persons as a result of furnishing such care and services to military personnel being treated by the Department of Veterans Affairs for injuries or illnesses incurred or aggravated during the Persian Gulf War. Directs the Secretary to contract with non-Department facilities in order to continue such care to such eligible persons at the same level. Requires the Secretary of Defense to reimburse the Secretary for the difference, if any, between the cost of providing such care and services by contract and the cost of providing such care or services in medical facilities of the Department. States that all direct or discretionary spending contained in this Act is to be considered an emergency expenditure related to Operation Desert Shield for purposes of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act).
![Official portrait of Sen. Cranston, Alan [D-CA]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c000877_200.jpg)