United States · United States Congress · 11 August 1995
Davis-Bacon Act Reform Amendments of 1995 - Amends the Davis-Bacon Act (DBA) to provide for wage determinations based on the locality where the work is performed. (Sec. 2) Requires contractors and subcontractors covered by DBA to pay laborers and mechanics: (1) unconditionally; (2) at least weekly; and (3) without subsequent deduction or rebate. Applies DBA requirements to laborers and mechanics employed by the contractor or subcontractor to: (1) work directly upon the site of the work, including work at fabrication plants, batch plants, tool yards, or similar facilities not on the project site but dedicated exclusively, or nearly so, to project construction (except previously established facilities whose location and continuance in operation are determined wholly without regard to the contract work); or (2) transport materials, supplies, and equipment to or from the worksite. Increases the minimum threshold (currently $2,000) for DBA coverage of contracts for public buildings and works to: (1) $100,000 for new construction, complete rehabilitation, or reconstruction; and (2) $25,000 for repairs or alterations. Sets conditions for coverage of leased property. Provides for periodic adjustments of such thresholds. Prohibits splitting contracts. Sets forth wage requirements in cases of contract option provisions. Sets preemption conditions. Sets forth provisions relating to apprentices, trainees, and helpers. Sets forth requirements relating to wages. Revises DBA enforcement provisions, including: (1) administrative procedures, including the Secretary of Labor's authority with respect to payment of workers, debarment of contractors, and coordination of enforcement; (2) review procedures, including court review of coverage determinations; and (3) creation of an administrative petition procedure for workers for wages, benefits, and damages. (Sec. 3) Amends the Copeland Act to: (1) eliminate weekly payroll data submission for contracts of $100,000 or less; and (2) change such weekly requirement to a monthly one for contracts of more than $100,000, with provisions for waivers for contractors or subcontractors who have demonstrated compliance with DBA and other labor standards. Revises enforcement provisions to: (1) require contractors and subcontractors to maintain payroll and related records for three years after completion of contract work and make such records available upon request of the contracting officer or the Secretary; (2) grant the Secretary subpoena and debarment authority with respect to records; and (3) establish penalties for false records. (Sec. 4) Amends the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act to provide that: (1) the Secretary, rather than the Comptroller General, shall initiate debarment action for violations; and (2) the General Services Administration (GSA) shall include the names of those debarred on a governmentwide list.
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 1995
Freedom and Human Rights for the Enclaved People of Cyprus Act - Directs the President to establish U.S. efforts to: (1) inform the United Nations, foreign governments, and appropriate Federal departments and agencies of the freedom and human rights restrictions on the enclaved people of Cyprus; (2) enlist the United Nations and foreign governments in efforts to end such restrictions; (3) establish U.S. Government programs of assistance to the people of Cyprus and efforts for the elimination of the restrictions; and (4) use funds allocated to the government or ethnic community participating in the imposition of such restrictions on the promotion of freedom and human rights for the people of Cyprus, or in the absence of such funds, establish a foreign assistance program for them. Requires the President to direct the U.S. representative to the United Nations to: (1) urge the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees to address and solve the plight of those enclaved on Cyprus; and (2) call upon the U.N. Human Rights Commissioner to investigate their plight and implement appropriate corrective action.
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 1995
Calls for: (1) the United States to use its influence with the Turkish Government and as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council to suggest that the Turkish Government ensure the proper protection for the Patriarchate and all Orthodox faithful residing in Turkey, assure that positive steps are taken to reopen the Halki Patriarchal School of Theology, provide for the proper protection and safety of the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Patriarchate personnel, establish conditions that would prevent the recurrence of past terrorist activities and vandalism and other personal threats against the Patriarchate, establish conditions to ensure that the Patriarchate is free to carry out its religious mission, and do everything possible to find and punish the perpetrators of any provocative and terrorist acts against the Patriarchate; and (2) the President to report annually to the Congress regarding the status and progress of such concerns.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 1995
Defense Production Act Amendments of 1995 - Amends the Defense Production Act of 1950 to: (1) extend provisions of titles I, III, and VII of such Act through FY 1998 (with exceptions); and (2) extend through FY 1998 the authorization of appropriations for certain projects and activities contained under title III of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 1995
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to grant duty-free treatment, through February 1, 1999, of the personal effects of, and other equipment imported and used by, participants, their families and associated members, and officials involved in the 1998 Goodwill Games.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 1995
Amends the Revenue Act of 1987 to repeal the termination date of a specified transition rule and permanently exempt from taxation as corporations certain publicly traded partnerships (master limited partnerships).
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a special rule for persons with a deceased parent for purposes of the generation-skipping transfer tax. Makes such rule inapplicable to an individual who is not a lineal descendant if there is a living lineal descendant.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude any employer-provided housing from the gross income of employees of academic health centers. Defines an "academic health center" as an organization which: (1) is a tax-exempt charitable organization providing medical care, hospital care, medical education, or medical research; (2) receives payments under the Social Security Act for either direct or indirect costs of graduate medical education; and (3) has as one of its principal functions the providing and teaching of basic and clinical medical science and research with the organization's own faculty.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to specify the rate of tax on draft cider containing certain percentages of alcohol. Excludes the tax from the credit for small domestic producers.
United States · United States Congress · 9 August 1995
Anticounterfeiting Consumer Protection Act of 1995 - Makes the following predicate offenses under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act: (1) trafficking in counterfeit labels for phonorecords, computer programs or computer program documentation or packaging, and copies of motion pictures or other audiovisual works; (2) criminal copyright infringement; (3) trafficking in goods or services bearing counterfeit marks; and (4) interstate transportation of stolen property. (Sec. 4) Extends existing prohibitions and penalties to trafficking in counterfeit labels affixed or designed to be affixed to copies of a computer program or computer program documentation or packaging. (Sec. 5) Requires the Attorney General to include in a report to the Congress, on a district by district basis, certain statistical information relating to criminal counterfeiting actions involving trafficking in counterfeit labels, criminal copyright infringement, and trafficking in goods or services bearing counterfeit marks. (Sec. 6) Directs the court to order that service of a copy of an order with respect to the seizure of counterfeit goods be made by a Federal, State, or local law enforcement officer (currently, by a U.S. marshal or other law enforcement officer). (Sec. 7) Authorizes the plaintiff to recover specified statutory damages as an alternative to actual damages in cases involving the use of counterfeit trademarks. (Sec. 8) Repeals a provision permitting the re-export of articles seized as violating copyright provisions. (Sec. 9) Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to: (1) require that all counterfeit merchandise seized be destroyed unless the trademark owner consents to some other disposition and the merchandise is not a threat to health or safety; (2) set civil penalties for any person who is in any way involved in the importation of counterfeit merchandise for sale or public distribution; (3) extend existing manifest disclosure requirements to information found in aircraft manifests; and (4) direct the Secretary, in prescribing regulations governing the content of entry documentation, to require that such documentation contain information necessary to determine whether the imported merchandise bears an infringing trademark. (Sec. 13) Revises the definition of "contraband" to include: (1) a counterfeit label for a phonorecord, computer program or documentation, or packaging or copy of a motion picture or other audiovisual work; (2) a phonorecord or copy in violation of criminal copyright infringement provisions; or (3) any good bearing a counterfeit mark.
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 1995
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should: (1) observe and commemorate the loss of life and property which took place during the anti-Greek pogrom in Turkey on September 6-7, 1955; (2) proclaim September 6, 1995, as a day of remembrance for the victims of those attacks; and (3) urge all Americans to honor the victims in the appropriate manner.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1995
Prohibits any judicial officer from being held liable under the Federal criminal code or provisions regarding proceedings in vindication of civil right for costs, including attorney's fees, in any action brought against such officer for an act or omission taken in such officer's judicial capacity, unless such action was clearly in excess of that officer's jurisdiction. Prohibits the granting of injunctive relief in any civil action for deprivation of rights brought against a judicial officer for an act or omission taken in such officer's judicial capacity unless a declaratory decree was violated or declaratory relief was unavailable.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Block Grants for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Title II: Supplemental Security Income Subtitle A: Eligibility Restrictions Subtitle B: Benefits for Disabled Children Subtitle C: Studies Regarding Supplemental Security Income Program Subtitle D: National Commission on the Future of Disability Subtitle E: State Supplementation Programs Title III: Food Stamp Reform Subtitle A: Food Stamp Reform Subtitle B: Anti-Fraud and Trafficking Title IV: Child Nutrition Programs Subtitle A: Reimbursement Rates Subtitle B: Grant Programs Subtitle C: Other Amendments Subtitle D: Reauthorization Title V: Noncitizens Title VI: Child Care Title VII: Workforce Development and Workforce Preparation Activities Subtitle A: General Provisions Subtitle B: Statewide Workforce Development Systems Subtitle C: Job Corps and Other Workforce Preparation Activities for At-Risk Youth Subtitle D: Transition Provisions Subtitle E: National Activities Subtitle F: Repeals of Employment and Training and Vocational and Adult Education Programs Title VIII: Workforce Development-Related Activities Subtitle A: Amendments to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Subtitle B: Amendments to Immigration and Nationality Act Title IX: Child Support Subtitle A: Eligibility for Services; Distribution of Payments Subtitle B: Locate and Case Tracking Subtitle C: Streamlining and Uniformity of Procedures Subtitle D: Paternity Establishment Subtitle E: Program Administration and Funding Subtitle F: Establishment and Modification of Support Orders Subtitle G: Enforcement of Support Orders Subtitle H: Medical Support Subtitle I: Enhancing Responsibility and Opportunity for Nonresidential Parents Subtitle J: Effect of Enactment Title X: Reform of Public Housing Work Opportunity Act of 1995 - Title I: Block Grants For Temporary Assistance For Needy Families - Replaces the current Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training (JOBS) programs under parts A and F of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) with a program of block grants to the States for temporary assistance for needy families with minor children (TEA program). Gives such program the stated purpose of increasing State flexibility in operating a program with mandatory work and education requirements (as well as certain penalties against adult family members on TEA assistance who refuse to work) as well as adult- supervised living arrangements for unmarried teenage parents designe: o: (1) provide certain time-limited assistance to needy families with minor children that enter into a personal responsibility contract with the State, with certain exceptions involving minor children and hardship situations; (2) provide job preparation and opportunities for such families, including opportunities to participate in State-approved job placement agency services; and (3) prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies. Denies TEA assistance for fugitive felons and probation and parole violators. (Sec. 101) Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) each State operating a TEA program is encouraged to assign the highest priority to requiring adults in two-parent families and adults in single-parent families that include older preschool or school-age children to be engaged in work activities; and (2) prevention of out-of-wedlock pregnancy and reduction in out-of-wedlock births are very important Government interests and the policy contained in the provisions of this title is intended to address the crisis. Establishes in the Treasury a revolving Federal Loan Fund for State Welfare Programs for loans to any loan-eligible State for conducting welfare anti-fraud and other specified activities. Outlines program audit and data collection and reporting as well as certain study requirements. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct research, evaluations, and national studies with regard to programs funded under this title. Directs the Bureau of the Census to expand the Survey of Income and Program Participation as necessary to obtain such information as will enable interested persons to evaluate the impact of the changes made by this title on a random national sample of recipients of assistance under State programs funded under this title and other appropriate low-income families. Addresses the treatment of existing State AFDC waivers in effect or approved by the Secretary as of October 1, 1995. Provides for the treatment of Indian tribes with regard to grant amounts and other specified program matters affecting Indians. Makes the Assistant Secretary for Family Support within HHS the official responsible for administering SSA title IV part A and D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) programs. (Sec. 102) Allows States to contract with charitable, religious, and private organizations to provide services and administer programs established or modified by this Act. (Sec. 103) Prohibits financial assistance provided under such programs from being expended for any sectarian purpose or activity, including sectarian worship or instruction. (Sec. 104) Provides for continued application of current AFDC standards under the Medicaid program under SSA title XIX. (Sec. 105) Specifies reductions in HHS personnel the Secretary must make with regard to positions relating to an activity previously authorized under the former AFDC and JOBS programs. (Sec. 107) Makes conforming amendments to the Food Stamp Act of 1977 and related provisions of other specified Federal laws. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Supplemental Security Income - Subtitle A: Eligibility Restrictions - Amends SSA title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) to: (1) deny SSI by reason of disability to drug addicts and alcoholics; (2) revise representative payee requirements; (3) provide for limited eligibility of certain noncitizens for SSI benefits; (4) deny SSI benefits for ten years to individuals found to have fraudulently misrepresented residence in order to obtain benefits simultaneously in two or more States; (5) deny SSI benefits for fugitive felons and probation and parole violators; and (6) provide for exchange of SSI information with law enforcement agencies. Subtitle B: Benefits for Disabled Children - Revises the rules with respect to childhood eligibility, with corresponding changes to childhood SSI regulations modifying the medical criteria for evaluation of mental and emotional disorders, and discontinuing the use of individualized functional assessments for children. Requires the Commissioner of Social Security to redetermine the eligibility of any individual under age 18 who is receiving SSI benefits based on a disability as of the date of the enactment of this Act and whose eligibility for such benefits may terminate by reason of the above amendments. (Sec. 212) Provides that not less frequently than once every three years the Commissioner shall review the continued SSI eligibility of each individual who has not attained 18 years of age and is eligible for such benefits by reason of an impairment (or combination of impairments) which may improve (or, which is unlikely to improve, at the option of the Commissioner). Requires a parent or guardian of a recipient whose case is so reviewed to present, at the time of review, evidence demonstrating that the recipient is, and has been, receiving treatment, to the extent considered medically necessary and available, of the condition which was the basis for providing benefits under the SSI program. Provides that if an individual is eligible for SSI benefits by reason of disability for the month preceding the month in which the individual attains age 18, the Commissioner shall redetermine such eligibility: (1) during the one year period beginning on the individual's 18th birthday; and (2) by applying the criteria used in determining the initial eligibility for applicants who have attained age 18. Outlines specific requirements governing: (1) continuing disability reviews for low birth weight babies; and (2) benefit payments through representative payees to eligible individuals and their spouses. Subtitle C: Studies Regarding Supplemental Security Income Program - Requires the Commissioner of Social Security to report annually to the President and the Congress regarding the SSI program. (Sec. 222) Requires the Commissioner to issue a request for comments in the Federal Register regarding improvements to the disability evaluation and determination procedures for individuals under age 18 to ensure the comprehensive assessment of such individuals. Directs the Commissioner to review such comments and issue any regulations implementing any necessary changes not later than 18 months after this Act is enacted. (Sec. 223) Requires the Commissioner to make arrangements with the National Academy of Sciences, or other independent entity, to study the disability determination process under SSA titles II and XVI for reports to the President and the Congress. (Sec. 224) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report on the impact of the amendments made by, and the provisions of, this title on the SSI program. Subtitle D: National Commission on the Future of Disability - Establishes the National Commission on the Future of Disability to develop and carry out a comprehensive study of all matters related to the nature, purpose, and adequacy of all Federal programs serving individuals with disabilities, including the programs under SSA titles II and XVI, with resulting recommendations for appropriate action submitted to the President and the Congress. Subtitle E: State Supplementation Programs - Repeals maintenance of effort requirements applicable to optional State programs for supplementation of SSI benefits. Title III: Food Stamp Program - Subtitle A: Food Stamp Reform - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (Act) to establish a maximum 24-month food stamp program (program) authorization period for certain households. (Sec. 303) Authorizes States to establish additional criteria for separate household determinations. (Sec. 304) Revises thrifty food plan adjustment requirements. (Sec. 305) Revises the definition of "homeless individual" to limit the length of time a person may temporarily live in another person's residence. (Sec. 307) Revises household income exclusion provisions regarding: (1) students; and (2) Federal energy assistance. (Sec. 309) Revises household income deduction provisions regard: : (1) standard deductions; (2) earned income; (3) dependent care; (4) child support payments; (5) homeless shelter assistance; (6) excess medical expenses; and (7) excess shelter expenses. (Sec. 310) Eliminates specified excludable auto value increases. (Sec. 311) Revises the scope of sponsor-attributed income and resources regarding alien program eligibility. (Sec. 312) Revises work requirement and employment and training provisions. Extends employment and training funding authorizations. (Sec. 315) Authorizes comparable program disqualification based upon welfare or public assistance disqualification. (Sec. 316) Requires at State option: (1) cooperation with child support agencies in order to maintain program eligibility; and (2) program disqualification for child support arrears. (Sec. 318) Disqualifies permanently an individual who participates in the program in two or more States. (Sec. 319) Defines "work program." (Sec. 320) Exempts electronic transfers of program benefits from specified disclosure, protection, and remedy provisions. (Sec. 321) Eliminates annual minimum allotment adjustments. (Sec. 323) Authorizes a combined allotment for expedited households. (Sec. 324) Authorizes program reductions for failure to comply with a public assistance reduction requirement. (Sec. 325) Authorizes program assistance for households residing in a homeless shelter or drug or alcohol treatment center. (Sec. 327) Eliminates certain certification personnel training requirements. (Sec. 328) Provides for the exchange of information with Federal, State, or local law enforcement authorities, including the Immigration and Naturalization Service, under specified circumstances. (Sec. 329) Revises expedited coupon service requirements. (Sec. 330) Authorizes a family to withdraw a fair hearing request. (Sc. 331) Permits States to use income and eligibility verification systems other than the system used in part A (General Provisions) of title XI (General Provisions and Peer Review) of the Social Security Act. (Sec. 130) Directs program overissuances to be collected by: (1) allotment reduction; (2) unemployment compensation withholding; or (3) Federal pay or Federal income tax refund recovery. (Sec. 333) Terminates Federal matching requirements for program informational activities. (Sec. 335) Authorizes States to use funds otherwise available to a participating household for a work supplementation or support program. Sets forth program provisions. (Sec. 336) Authorizes waiver of program requirements as necessary to conduct related pilot projects. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 339) Authorizes States to carry out private sector employment initiatives. Sets forth program provisions. (Sec. 340) Authorizes appropriations for: (1) program operations; and (2) Puerto Rico block grants. (Sec. 342) Authorizes States to carry out a Simplified Food Program in lieu of existing program requirements. Sets forth Program provisions. (Sec. 343) Establishes an optional State food assistance block grant program. Sets forth program provisions. Subtitle B: Anti-Fraud and Trafficking - Amends the Act to expand the definition of "coupon." (Sec. 352) Increases penalties for specified food stamp program (program) violations. (Sec. 353) Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to establish specific time periods for: (1) retain food stores and wholesale food concerns (stores) to apply for program participation; and (2) prohibition of program participation based on lack of business integrity. (Sec 355) Includes income and sales tax information among the types of eligibility verification information which may be requested. (Sec. 356) Establishes a six-month reapplication waiting period for a store that does not meet participation requirements. (Sec. 358) Authorizes suspension of a store pending administrative and judicial review. (States that the Secretary shall not be liable for lost sales during such period.) (Sec. 359) Provides for disqualification of a store that is disqualified from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). (Sec. 360) Provides for permanent disqualification of a store that knowingly submits a falsified application. (Sec. 361) Establishes criminal forfeiture penalties for specified program violations. Title IV: Child Nutrition Programs - Subtitle A: Reimbursement Rates - Amends the National School Lunch Act (NSLA) to terminate the additional lunch payment for schools with high percentages of free or reduced price lunches. (Sec. 402) Revises NSLA annual adjustment provisions for: (1) value of food assistance; and (2) lunches, breakfasts, and supplements. (Sec. 404) Revises NSLA service institution payment provisions for the summer food service program for children. (Sec. 405) Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (CNA) to revise annual adjustment provisions for: (1) the special milk program; and (2) the school breakfast program. (Sec. 407) Conforms reimbursement for CNA school breakfasts with that for NSLA school lunches. Subtitle B: Grant Programs - Amends CNA to: (1) terminate school breakfast startup grants; and (2) reduce annual authorization of appropriations for nutrition education and training programs. Subtitle C: Other Amendments - Amends NSLA and CNA to set forth free and reduced price policy statements for the school lunch program and the school breakfast program. (Sec. 422) Revises NSLA provisions for the summer food service program for children. Allows participating school food authorities to permit a child to refuse not more than one item of a meal that the child does not intend to consume. Provides that a refusal of an offered food shall not affect the amount of payments to a school for the meal. Removes a requirement that States submit a plan or schedule as part of notice to institutions. (Sec. 423) Revises NSLA provisions for the child and adult care food program with respect to payments to certain sponsor employees. Revises provisions regarding day care home reimbursements. Requires reservation of certain funds for grants to States for assistance for family or group day care homes. Requires Federal and State provision of certain data to family or group day care home sponsoring organizations. Disallows certain meal claims. Eliminates certain requirements involving State paperwork and outreach. Requires States to provide training, technical assistance, and monitoring. (Sec. 424) Requires a review of all NSLA and CNA reporting requirements and a report recommending elimination of any that impose a paperwork burden on agencies and schools which cannot be justified by their contribution to program effectiveness. Subtitle D: Reauthorization - Amends the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 to reauthorize appropriations for the commodity distribution program. (Sec. 432) Amends the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 and the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 to extend authority and reauthorize appropriations for the emergency food assistance program. (Sec. 433) Amends the Hunger Prevention Act of 1988 to reauthorize appropriations for the soup kitchens program. (Sec. 434) Amends the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to extend authority for processing of agricultural commodities into food products. (Sec. 435) Amends the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 to extend authority for the commodity supplemental food program. Title V: Noncitizens - Gives States the option of prohibiting the use of any grant funds received under SSA title IV part A, or the new optional State food assistance block grant program established under title III of this Act, for the provision of assistance under the related State programs for an individual who is not a citizen or national of the United States. (Sec. 502) Provides that, for purposes of determining the eligibility of an individual (whether a citizen or national of the United States or an alien) for assistance, and the amount of assistance, under any Federal program of assistance provided or funded, in whole or in part, by the Federal Government for which eligibility for benefits is based on need, certain described income and resources pertaining to the individual's sponsor shall, in spite of any other provision of law, be deemed to be the income and resources of such individual. Applies such requirement for the period for which the sponsor has agreed, in an affidavit or agreement, to provide support for such individual, or for a period of five years beginning on the date such individual was first lawfully in the United States after the execution of such affidavit or agreement, whichever period is longer. Outlines similar deemed income authority for State and local programs of assistance authorized under Federal law for which eligibility is based on need. Exempts from such restrictions eligibility for emergency medical services under Medicaid, short-term emergency disaster relief, assistance or benefits under the National School Lunch Act, assistance or benefits under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, and public health assistance for immunizations with respect to immunizable diseases and for testing and treatment for communicable diseases under certain conditions. (Sec. 503) Details the limited eligibility of noncitizens for SSI benefits. Title VI: Child Care - Child Care and Development Block Grant Amendments Act of 1995 - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to consolidate Federal child care programs. (Sec. 602) Extends the authorization of appropriations under the Act. Revises provisions for the lead agency to allow such agency to administer the financial assistance received by the State under the act either directly or through other governmental or nongovernmental agencies. Requires sufficient time and statewide distribution for the notice of the public hearing on child care services provision under the State plan. Revises provisions for the State application and plan. Eliminates a requirement that providers that are not required to be licensed or regulated under State or local law be required to register with the State before payment is made under the Act. Requires the State to implement mechanisms to ensure that appropriate payment mechanisms exist so that proper payments under this subchapter will be made to providers. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop minimum child care standards, appropriately reflective of tribal needs and available resources, applicable to Indian tribes and tribal organization receiving assistance under the Act. Reduces from 25 to 15 percent of annual assistance to a State the set-aside for quality of child care and before- and after-school and early childhood development services. Applies such set-aside, however, only to child care quality improvement activities and no longer to early childhood development and before- and after-school care services. Adds a limitation on administrative costs. Requires the sliding fee scale to ensure a representative distribution of funding among the working poor and recipients of Federal welfare assistance. Expands eligibility criteria to include families earning up to 100 percent (currently 75 percent) of the State median family income. Revises requirements relating to quality improvement activities to include: (1) under resource and referral programs, consumer education, referrals honoring parental choice, and activities to improve quality and availability of child care; and (2) under other activities, increasing availability of care before- and after-school, for infants, and during nontraditional work hours. Repeals a requirement that States expend a specified minimum amount of reserved funds for early childhood development and before- and after-school services. Revises requirements for enforcement and for reports. Authorizes the Secretary to permit an Indian tribe or organization to use certain assistance to construct or renovate facilities that will be used to carry out child care programs. Provides for reallocation of assistance to other Indian tribes or organizations under certain conditions. Allows use of child care certificates as deposits. Includes among eligible child care providers those who care for an eligible great grandchild or sibling (if in the latter case the provider lives in a separate residence). Eliminates certain registration requirements for providers who are relatives. (Sec. 603) Repeals: (1) the State Dependent Care Development Grants Act; and (2) the Child Development Associate Scholarship Assistance Act of 1985. Title VII: Workforce Development and Workforce Preparation Activities - Subtitle A: General Provisions - Workforce Development Act of 1995 - Sets forth congressional findings, purposes of this title, and the definitions of terms used in this title and title VIII. Subtitle B: Statewide Workforce Development Systems - Establishes a program of assistance for Statewide workforce development systems. (Sec. 711) Directs the Governing Board of the Workforce Development Partnership (Federal Partnership, established under this Act) (Governing Board) to make allotments, for program years 1998 and subsequent, to States to help pay costs of establishing and carrying out activities through statewide workforce development systems. (Sec. 712) Sets forth formulae for such State allotments. (Sec. 713) Requires States to apportion such allotment funds by specified percentages among workforce employment activities, workforce education activities, and flexible workforce activities. (Sec. 714) Sets forth requirements relating to State plans describing: (1) the strategic plan for the statewide system, including flexible workforce activities, and, if appropriate, economic development activities; (2) workforce employment activities; and (3) workforce education activities. (Sec. 715) Authorizes Governors of States receiving such allotments to establish State workforce development boards with certain membership requirements and functions. (Sec. 716) Sets forth required and authorized uses of funds under this title. Requires funds for workforce employment activities to be used for: (1) one-stop delivery of specified core services; (2) a statewide comprehensive labor market information system; and (3) a job placement accountability system. Allows such funds to also be used for: (1) specified permissible one-stop delivery activities; (2) other specified permissible activities which may be provided through vouchers, including certain forms of training, supportive, and followup services; (3) staff development and training; and (4) incentive grant awards to substate areas that reach or exceed State benchmarks. Requires State educational agencies to use funds for workforce education activities to carry out, through the statewide system, activities that include: (1) integrating academic and vocational education; (2) linking secondary and postsecondary education (including implementing tech-prep programs); (3) career guidance and counseling at the earliest possible age; (4) literacy and basic education for adults and out-of-school youth, including those in correctional institutions; (5) secondary education completion programs for adults and out-of-school youth; (6) improving vocational education programs; and (7) improving access to quality vocational education programs for at-risk youth. Sets forth certain fiscal requirements for such workplace education activities. Requires States to use a portion of the funds for flexible workforce activities (flex account funds) to carry out school-to-work activities through the statewide system (except that any State that received a grant under specified provisions of the School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994 must use such portion to support continued development of the statewide School-to-Work Opportunities system through continuing activities in accordance with such grant). Allows States to use a portion of such flex account funds for workforce employment and workforce education activities. Allows States that meet specified requirements to use a portion of flex account funds for specified economic development activities relating to workforce training and skills upgrading. Sets forth limitations on use of funds and on individual participation under this title. (Sec. 717) Outlines provisions for supporting Indian and Native Hawaiian workforce development activities and associated supplemental services for Indian and Native Hawaiian youth and public assistance recipients on or near reservation areas. (Sec. 718) Directs the Governing Board, using certain funds made available below, to make grants to outlying areas to carry out workforce development activities. (Sec. 721) Provides for local uses of funds under this title, including: (1) local apportionment by activity, distributing 75 percent of workforce employment activities funds to local entities and 80 percent of workforce education activities funds to certain educational entities; (2) distributions for secondary school vocational education, for postsecondary and adult vocational education, and for adult education; and (3) minimal allocations and redistribution. Provides for States to enter into local agreements regarding workforce employment activities, school-to-work activities, and economic development activities to be carried out in each substate area with local partnerships (or, where established, workforce development boards). (Sec. 731) Provides for: (1) accountability; and (2) incentives and sanctions. (Sec. 733) Amends the Social Security Act with respect to the Unemployment Trust Fund to make Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) revenues available for statewide workforce development systems to the extent they are used to carry out specified core services relating to job search, placement assistance and labor market information provided through the one-stop career centers. (Sec. 734) Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act (other than subtitle C below). Sets forth certain reservations of funds. Subtitle C: Job Corps and Other Workforce Preparation Activities for At-Risk Youth - Requires a State to use a portion of its allotment for workforce preparation activities for at-risk youth to maintain any Job Corps Center located in that State and carry out specified activities for Job Corps enrollees assigned there, if such center received assistance under the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) for FY 1996 and was not closed in accordance with specified provisions. (Sec. 744) Limits eligibility for the Job Corps to at-risk youth. (Sec. 745) Provides for Job Corps: (1) screening and selection of applicants; (2) enrollment and assignment; (3) centers' development, character, activities, operators, and inclusion of Civilian Conservation Centers; (4) program activities; (5) support by States of enrollees through personal allowances; (6) State operating plans; (7) standards of conduct; (8) community participation; and (9) counseling and placement. (Sec. 754) Directs the Secretary of Labor to offer leases and sales of Job Corps centers, for nominal consideration, to States with approved State plans. (Sec. 755) Provides for closure of certain Job Corps centers. Directs the Governing Board to conduct a national Job Corps audit, report to the appropriate congressional committees, and report recommendations to the Secretary of Labor, including identification of 25 Job Corps centers to be closed by September 30, 1997. Directs the Secretary, after reviewing such report, to close 25 centers by such date. (Sec. 756) Amends JTPA to set forth requirements for interim operating plans for Job Corps centers. (Sec. 759) Directs the Governing Board, for program years 1998 and subsequent, to make allotments to States to help pay for carrying out specified workforce preparation activities for at-risk youth. Sets forth provisions for core required activities, permissible activities, allotment formulas, State plans, applications, and within-State distribution. (Sec. 241) Authorizes appropriations to carry out this subtitle. Subtitle D: Transition Provisions - Authorizes the Secretary (of Labor or of Education or of Health and Human Services, depending on the covered activity) to waive, during a transition period, any requirement under any provision of law (or regulation under it) relating to a covered activity for States or localities that request such waivers and comply with specified requirements. Requires States to submit interim State plans to the Governing Board in order for a State or locality to use such transition waivers. (Sec. 765) Authorizes interim appropriations under the Older American Community Service Employment Act, the Carl D. Perkins Vocation and Applied Technology Education Act, and other specified Acts. Subtitle E: National Activities - Establishes the Workforce Development Partnership (Federal Partnership) as a Government corporation, with a Governing Board and an Office of Inspector General, to administer activities under this Act. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 772) Directs the Assistant Secretary for Educational Research and Improvement to: (1) conduct a national assessment of vocational education programs assisted under this Act, through studies and analyses conducted independently through competitive awards; and (2) appoint an independent advisory board to advise on implementation of such assessment. (Sec. 773) Directs the Governing Board to oversee development and continuous improvement of a nationwide integrated labor market information system. Sets forth Federal, joint Federal-State, and State responsibilities with respect to labor market information. (Sec. 774) Authorizes the Governing Board to a competitive grant to an institution of higher education, a public or private nonprofit organization or agency, or a consortium to establish a National Center for Research in Education and Workforce Development. (Sec. 775) Transfers to the Federal Partnership, as of June 30, 1998, all functions of the Secretaries of Labor and of Education (including those of their Offices of Inspector General) that relate to a covered activity and are minimally necessary to carrying out Federal Partnership functions. Provides for: (1) determinations of functions by the Board, including Board review of a proposed transition workplan of the Secretaries; (2) personnel, delegation and assignment, reorganization, and rulemaking powers; (3) transfer and allocations of appropriations and personnel; (4) incidental transfers, effect on personnel, and savings provisions; (5) a transition period; and (6) Board recommendations for additional legislation. (Sec. 776) Transfers to the appropriate receiving agency all functions that do not relate to a covered activity, but that the Secretaries of Labor and of Education, acting through the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) and the Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE), respectively, exercised before June 30, 1998. Directs the Secretaries to submit, for Board review, a proposed transition workplan that includes determinations of: (1) ETA and OVAE functions that do not relate to a covered activity; and (2) appropriate receiving agencies for such functions. (Sec. 777) Terminates OVAE and ETA on July 1, 1998 (as well as any authority granted them or any of their units by any reorganization plan). Subtitle F: Repeals of Employment and Training and Vocational and Adult Education Programs - Repeals: (1) the State Legalization Impact Assistance Grant program under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; (2) specified Federal law to assist workers displaced by the expansion of the Redwood National Park; (3) the Displaced Homemakers Self-Sufficiency Assistance Act; (4) provisions for Appalachian vocational and other educational facilities and operations under the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965; (5) the Job Training for the Homeless demonstration program under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act; (6) specified Federal transportation law for assistance by the Secretary of Transportation for certain human resource programs relating to mass transportation; and (7) specified Federal transportation law provisions for a program of protection and rehiring of certain dislocated airline employees, and assistance for them from an Airline Employee Protective Account administered by the Department of Labor. Repeals as of July 1, 1998: (1) trade adjustment assistance services under the Trade Act of 1974; (2) the Adult Education Act; (3) the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Act; (4) the School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994; (5) the Wagner-Peyser Act (employment services); (6) the Job Training Partnership Act; (7) community service employment for older Americans under the Older Americans Act of 1965; and (8) programs of Adult Education for the Homeless and of Education for Homeless Children and Youth under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. (Sec. 782) Makes conforming amendments to various Federal laws, reflecting such immediate and subsequent repeals. Title VIII: Workforce Development-Related Activities - Subtitle A: Amendments to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 - Amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (RA) to repeal authorities relating to consolidated rehabilitation plans. (Sec. 805) Authorizes the Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Administration to provide assistance to achieve participation by individuals with disabilities in activities carried out through a statewide workforce development system. (Sec. 808) Revises a declaration of policy to include references to linkages between the RA vocational rehabilitation program and other integral components of the statewide workforce development system. (Sec. 810) Revises provisions for individualized written rehabilitation programs, and renames them as individualized employment plans. (Sec. 811) Revises the scope of vocational rehabilitation services to eliminate surgery from the authorized uses of funds. Removes the qualification that small business operators' disabilities must be most severe in order for them to receive certain management services and supervision from State agencies. (Sec. 812) Provides for linkages between members of State Rehabilitation Advisory Councils and State workforce development boards. (Sec. 813) Requires consistency between RA evaluation standards and performance indicators and State benchmarks established under this Act. (Sec. 814) Repeals authority for Innovation and Expansion Grants (part C of title I Vocational Rehabilitation Services under RA). Subtitle B: Amendments to Immigration and Nationality Act - Prohibits State use of certain funds under the Immigration and Nationality Act for workforce employment activities under this Act. Title: X: Child Support - Subtitle A: Eligibility for Services; Distribution of Payments - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of SSA title IV to require State plans for child and spousal support to provide: (1) certain services relating to paternity establishment or enforcement of child support obligations; and (2) continuation of services for families ceasing to receive assistance under Aid to Families with Dependent Children. (Sec. 902) Revises payment distribution guidelines for support obligations collected by the State on behalf of a family. (Sec. 903) Requires State plans to establish procedural guidelines for: (1) notification of all proceedings and orders affecting child support obligations; and (2) privacy safeguards regarding paternity and child support actions. Subtitle B: Locate and Case Tracking - Mandates that the single statewide automated data system include a State case registry containing records of: (1) each case in which services are provided by the State agency; and (2) each support order established on or after a specified date. Permits the linking of local registries. (Sec. 912) Requires State plans to include a centralized, automated unit for the collection and disbursement of support payments. (Sec. 913) Requires State plans to: (1) provide for a State- operated State Directory of New Hires containing prescribed information furnished by employers on new personnel; and (2) transmit such information to the National Directory of New Hires. (Sec. 914) Requires the States to have statutorily prescribed procedures: (1) for mandatory income withholding for support payments subject to enforcement; and (2) under which child support orders issued before October 1, 1996, shall become subject to withholding from wages if arrearages occur, without the need for a judicial or administrative hearing. Revises the procedural guidelines for income withholding for child support enforcement. (Sec. 915) Requires the States to have statutorily prescribed procedures to ensure that Federal and State agencies conducting income-withholding activities have access to State locator systems for motor vehicle or law enforcement purposes. (Sec. 916) Revises the Federal Parent Locator Service to provide for additional information which may be transmitted to locate individuals and assets for purposes of: (1) establishing parentage; (2) executing child support obligations; and (3) enforcing visitation orders. (Sec. 917) Requires the States to have statutorily prescribed procedures requiring recordation on such documents of the Social Security number of: (1) specified driver's, marriage, and occupational, and professional license applicants; (2) individuals subject to certain domestic relations orders; and (3) death records. Subtitle C: Streamlining and Uniformity of Procedures - Requires each State to have the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act in effect as of January 1, 1997. Amends the Federal judicial code to revise the procedures for the court to apply when determining which State order to recognize for purposes of continuing, exclusive jurisdiction and enforcement for child support orders. (Sec. 923) Requires the States to have statutorily prescribed procedures requiring: (1) expedited administrative enforcement in interstate cases and support orders; and (2) expedited administrative and judicial procedures for establishing paternity and enforcing support obligations. Subtitle D: Paternity Establishment - Revises the guidelines for State laws governing paternity establishment. (Sec. 933) Requires State plans for child and spousal support to provide that the State agency administering the plan will make a determination as to whether a program recipient is cooperating in good faith with State efforts to establish paternity and secure support. Subtitle E: Program Administration and Funding - Revises the guidelines for Federal performance-based incentive payments to the States for effective child support enforcement programs. (Sec. 942) Requires a State plan for child and spousal support to include prescribed procedures for State reviews and audits. Revises the guidelines for Federal evaluation and audit of State programs governing paternity, child and spousal support, and parent location. (Sec. 944) Revises the automated data processing requirements for State plans to mandate a single statewide automated data processing and information retrieval system which can perform specified tasks. (Sec. 945) Makes funds available to the Secretary for: (1) training of Federal and State staff, research and demonstration programs, and special projects of regional and national significance; and (2) operation of the Federal Parent Locator Service. Subtitle F: Establishment and Modification of Support Orders - Establishes the National Child Support Guidelines Commission to determine the need for consideration by the Congress of national child support guidelines. (Sec. 952) Revises the requirements for State plan procedures for the review and adjustment of support orders. (Sec. 953) Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to authorize a consumer agency to furnish a consumer report: (1) in response to a request by a governmental child support enforcement agency; or (2) to the State administrative agency which sets child support awards. (Sec. 954) Shields a depository institution from Federal or State liability for disclosing any financial record of an individual to a State child support enforcement agency. Prohibits such agency from disclosing such a financial record except for the purpose of, and to the extent necessary in, establishing, modifying, or enforcing a child support obligation. Sets forth civil penalties for any person knowingly or negligently violating such prohibition. Subtitle G: Enforcement of Support Orders - Amends the Internal Revenue Code procedural guidelines for the collection of arrearages to provide that no additional fee may be assessed for adjustments to a previously certified amount. (Sec. 962) Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of SSA title IV to revise procedural guidelines for: (1) consent by the United States to income withholding, garnishment, and similar proceedings for enforcement of child support and alimony obligations of current and retired Federal employees; and (2) enforcement of child support obligations of members of the armed forces. (Sec. 964) Requires a State plan for child and spousal support to have in effect the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act of 1981, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act of 1984, or a similar law, as well as certain procedures governing the voiding of fraudulent transfers by a child support debtor. (Sec. 965) Requires a State plan for child and spousal support to include specified procedures: (1) to ensure that persons owing past-due support work or participate in work activities the court deems appropriate; (2) to report to credit bureaus the name of the parent in arrears for child support; (3) to provide for liens against real and personal property for the support arrearages of an absent parent; and (4) to implement the restriction of driver's, professional, occupational, and recreational licenses of individuals owing support arrearages. (Sec. 970) Requires the Secretary of State to deny, revoke, or limit a passport upon certification of nonpayment of child support. (Sec. 971) Authorizes the Secretary of State to negotiate reciprocal agreements with foreign nations: (1) regarding international enforcement of child support obligations; and (2) designating the Department of Health and Human Services as the central authority for such enforcement. Subtitle H: Medical Support - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to include within the definition of medical child support order an order issued through a State administrative process. (Sec. 976) Amends part D of SSA title IV to mandate statutorily prescribed procedures under which all enforced child support orders shall include a provision for the health care coverage of the child. Subtitle I: Enhancing Responsibility and Opportunity for Nonresidential Parents - Amends part D of SSA title IV to prescribe guidelines under which the Administration for Children and Families shall make grants to enable States to establish and administer access and visitation programs to facilitate absent parents' access to their children. Subtitle J: Effect of Enactment - Sets forth effective dates for the provisions of this Act. Title X: Reform of Public Housing - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 with respect to public housing provisions regarding: (1) ceiling rents; and (2) adjusted and earned income. (Sec. 1003) Exempts tenants from certain labor standards provisions. (Sec. 1004) Prohibits increased housing assistance to a family whose benefits under other public assistance programs have been reduced because of noncompliance. (Sec. 1005) Applies the provisions of this title to Indian housing.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to an insurance company taxable income special deduction and income account to apply to companies that write financial guarantee insurance certain rules currently applied to companies that write mortgage guaranty insurance, lease guaranty insurance, or insurance on obligations the interest on which is excludable from gross income under specified provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a limited deduction of partnership investment expenses for purposes of computing the alternative minimum tax.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1995
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that members of Hamas (commonly known as the Islamic Resistance Movement) be considered to be engaged in a terrorist activity and ineligible to receive visas and excluded from admission into the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1995
American Family-Owned Business Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross estate specified portions of the adjusted value of the qualified family-owned business interests of the decedent.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1995
Amends the Federal criminal code to: (1) include equity skimming as a money laundering offense; and (2) include within provisions pertaining to obstruction of a Federal audit, attempts to influence, obstruct, or impede a Federal auditor in the performance of official duties relating to any property that is security for a mortgage that is insured, guaranteed, acquired, or held by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development pursuant to specified provisions described in the National Housing Act. Amends such Act to require each contract for mortgage insurance to authorize the Secretary to recover from an owner, agent, manager, or other person (owner) who is otherwise in custody, control, or possession of property that is security for a mortgage note insured, acquired, or held by the Secretary and who is convicted of equity skimming, an amount equal to the sum of any benefit of insurance conferred on the mortgagee by the Secretary with respect to such property and any other losses incurred by the Secretary in connection with such property if the Secretary determines that the violation contributed to such conferred benefit or incurred loss. Specifies that any recovery under this provision shall be in addition to any fine, imprisonment, or other penalty imposed under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1995
Entrepreneurial New and Small Business Capital Formation Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to recognize, if elected by the taxpayer, gain (other than ordinary income) on the sale of any eligible small business investment only to the extent the amount realized exceeds the cost of any other small business investment purchased by the taxpayer during the previous six months. Applies to the amendments made by this Act rules (from provisions relating to a 50 percent exclusion for gain from certain small business stock) relating to stock conversion, pass-thru entities, transfers, and short positions. Mandates basis reductions for unrecognized gain. Treats a loss on an eligible small business investment, if the loss would otherwise be from the sale or exchange of a capital asset, as an ordinary loss.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend permanently the tax credit for expenses of clinical testing of certain drugs for rare diseases or conditions. Allows a three-year carryback and 15-year carryforward of unused credit amounts, except that no credit may be carried to a taxable year beginning before January 1, 1995.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1995
Requires the Architect of the Capitol to restore the Portrait Monument (a statue of Lucretia Mott, Susan B. Anthony, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton) to its original state and place it in the rotunda of the Capitol.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Health Care Access, Portability, and Renewability Subtitle A: Group Health Plan Rules Subtitle B: Individual Health Plan Rules Subtitle C: COBRA Clarifications Subtitle D: Private Health Plan Purchasing Coalitions Title II: Application and Enforcement of Standards Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions Health Insurance Reform Act of 1995 - Title I: Health Care Access, Portability, and Renewability - Subtitle A: Group Health Plan Rules - Prohibits insurers from declining to provide coverage, and plans from establishing certain types of requirements, based on health status, medical condition, and similar factors. (Sec. 102) Mandates plan renewability, except for nonpayment of premiums, termination of the plan, or other specified reasons. (Sec. 103) Regulates the circumstances in which a plan may impose a benefit limitation or exclusion because of a preexisting condition. Allows State laws that limit preexisting conditions to shorter periods than the provisions of this paragraph. (Sec. 104) Mandates special enrollment periods for individuals who have certain types of changes in family composition or employment status. (Sec. 105) Regulates disclosures an insurer must make to a small employer (as defined in State law, or employers with not more than 50 employees if not defined in State law). Subtitle B: Individual Health Plan Rules - Prohibits an insurer from establishing, for an individual in a period of previous qualifying coverage, eligibility, continuation, or enrollment requirements based on health status, medical condition, and similar factors. (Sec. 111) Mandates renewability of coverage for individuals, except for nonpayment of premiums, misrepresentation of material fact, or termination of the plan. (Sec. 112) Requires that State law in effect on, or enacted after, enactment of this Act apply in lieu of the standards above in this subtitle unless the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines that the State law is not as effective in providing access. (Sec. 113) Mandates a study and report on ensuring the availability of health insurance to individuals, the need for Federal premium variation standards, and the effectiveness of this Act and State laws in stabilizing the small group health insurance market by providing for the broad pooling of risk. Subtitle C: COBRA Clarifications - Amends the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and the Internal Revenue Code to modify continuation coverage requirements. Subtitle D: Private Health Plan Purchasing Coalitions - Requires a State to certify health plan purchasing coalitions (HPPCs) meeting the requirements of this paragraph. Provides for Federal certification if a State fails to do so. Regulates HPPC organization, duties, and activities. Preempts, for a HPPC meeting these requirements, State fictitious group laws, State rating requirement laws (subject to exception), and other State laws in direct conflict. Applies to HPPCs the requirements of ERISA provisions relating to fiduciary responsibility and administration and enforcement. Title II: Application and Enforcement of Standards - Deems a requirement or standard under this Act imposed on: (1) a plan to be imposed on the insurer; and (2) a self-insured plan to be imposed on the plan sponsor. (Sec. 202) Requires each State to mandate that each plan in the State meet the standards under this Act pursuant to an enforcement plan filed by the State with the Secretary of Labor. Directs the Secretary, for self-insured health plans, to enforce the standards under this Act. Subjects failing plans to civil enforcement under specified ERISA provisions. Provides for Federal enforcement if a State fails to do so. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow a health maintenance organization, if notified by a member that a medical savings account has been established for the member and if the member requests, to reduce the basic health services payment by requiring the payment of a deductible for basic health services. Declares that it is the sense of the Senate that the Congress should take steps to further the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1995
Financial Instruments Anti-Fraud Act of 1995 - Makes counterfeiting and counterfeiting-related crimes class B (currently class C) felonies. Establishes as a class B felony making, passing, issuing, selling, possessing, or moving in interstate commerce a false instrument or document purporting to be a financial instrument issued by the United States, a State or local government, or a foreign government. Authorizes the U.S. Secret Service to investigate offenses committed under this section.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1995
Authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), upon the request of licensees for specified FERC hydro projects, to extend the time for construction of such projects for up to a maximum of three consecutive two-year periods.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Simplification of Nondiscrimination Provisions Title II: Simplified Distribution Rules Title III: Targeted Access to Pension Plans for Small Employers Title IV: Paperwork Reduction Title V: Miscellaneous Simplification Pension Simplification Act of 1995 - Title I: Simplification of Nondiscrimination Provisions - Redefines the term "highly compensated employee" for pension, profit sharing, stock bonus plan, etc. purposes. Makes such an employee one who is a five-percent owner, has compensation from the employer in excess of $80,000, or was the most highly compensated officer of the employer. Provides a special rule where no employees meet those criteria. Defines "participant's compensation" and "compensation" for purposes of specified provisions. (Sec. 104) Provides alternative methods of satisfying the special nondiscrimination requirements applicable to elective deferrals and employer matching contributions. Modifies the two-part nondiscrimination test for elective contributions under cash or deferred arrangements by permitting the average deferral percentage for nonhighly compensated employees for the preceding year to be used in determining the permitted average deferral percentage for highly compensated employees for the current year. Title II: Simplified Distribution Rules - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal: (1) the $5,000 limitation on the exclusion of employees' death benefits; and (2) the five-year forward income averaging for lump-sum distributions. (Sec. 203) Establishes a method of taxing annuity payments by taking into account the investment in the contract and the number of anticipated payments. Title III: Targeted Access to Pension Plans for Small Employers - Allows a current year business credit for small employer pension plan qualified start-up costs. (Sec. 302) Modifies certain simplified employee pensions with respect to: (1) allowable participants and participation requirements; and (2) deferral percentages. (Sec. 303) Prohibits treating a plan as a top-heavy plan if the employer has no highly compensated employees by reason of specified provisions. (Sec. 304) Prohibits treating a cash or deferred arrangement as qualified if it is part of a plan maintained by a State or local government or subdivision or a tax-exempt organization described in Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3). (Current law applies that prohibition to all tax-exempt organizations, not just to 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations.) (Sec. 305) Prohibits any proposed regulation relating to qualified pension plans from taking effect unless it includes provisions to address the special needs of small employers. Title IV: Paperwork Reduction - Repeals provisions relating to a limitation in the case of a defined benefit plan and a defined contribution plan for the same employee. (Sec. 402) Authorizes the Secretary, as a condition of sponsorship, to prescribe rules defining the duties and responsibilities of certain master and prototype retirement plans. Title V: Miscellaneous Simplification - Revises the definition of a leased employee to mean one whose services are performed under the control of a service recipient, instead of one whose services are historically performed by employees. (Sec. 502) Establishes a contribution limit for owner-employees of retirement plans. (Sec. 503) Eliminates the special vesting rule for multiemployer plans. (Sec. 504) Amends minimum funding standards provisions to provide for the treatment of multiemployer plans with regard to full funding limitation provisions and valuation provisions. (Sec. 505) Permits certain employers to elect an alternative full funding limitation with respect to any defined benefit plan based solely on the accrued liability under such plan. Requires the Secretary to adjust the 150-percent current liability full funding limit for other plans if there is a revenue shortfall. (Sec. 506) Defines affiliated employers for Treasury regulation purposes with respect to tax-exemption. (Sec. 507) Modifies the treatment of governmental plans with respect to limits on contributions and benefits. (Sec. 508) Provides special rules for distributions of deferred compensation plans of State and local governments and tax-exempt organizations. (Sec. 509) Provides for the application of participant's compensation provisions to permanently and totally disabled participants when a defined contribution plan provides for the continuation of contributions on behalf of all such disabled participants for a fixed or determinable period. (Sec. 510) Allows rural cooperative plans which include cash or deferred arrangements to make distributions to participants on the basis of hardship or after attainment of age 59 and one-half years. (Sec. 511) Excludes non-pilots from consideration regarding the minimum coverage requirements of minimum participation standards provisions as they apply to a plan to provide contributions or benefits for air pilots. (Sec. 512) Treats certain retirement incentive payments for tenured faculty as not providing for the deferral of compensation. (Sec. 513) Makes the social security retirement age the uniform retirement age for purposes of discrimination testing. (Sec. 514) Makes uniform the penalty provisions applicable to certain pension reporting requirements. (Sec. 515) Establishes the National Commission on Private Pension Plans to report to the President and congressional leaders on a review of existing Federal incentives and programs that encourage and protect private retirement savings. Requires the report to make recommendations where appropriate for increasing the level and security of private retirement savings. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1995
Historic Homeownership Assistance Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for 20 percent of the qualified rehabilitation expenditures made by a taxpayer with respect to a certified historic structure which has been substantially rehabilitated and which is owned by the taxpayer and used as his or her principal residence. Allows the credit for such expenditures to be taken by a purchaser of the rehabilitated home. Permits, in lieu of the credit, a historic rehabilitation mortgage credit certificate, which shall be transferred to a lender in exchange for a reduction in the rate of interest on the loan secured by the building.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit the use of the regular depreciation rules for purposes of the alternative minimum tax. Revises provisions relating to credit for prior year minimum tax liability to set forth a special rule for taxpayers with long-term unused credits.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1995
Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions declaring that income tax provisions of the Code shall not apply to certain persons to extend those provisions to: (1) U.S. citizens and parents of children under 19 years old if the citizen or child dies as a result of terroristic action; and (2) any U.S. military or civilian employee who dies as a result of military or terroristic action (currently, as a result of military or terroristic action outside the United States).
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Amendments to the Securities Laws Title II: Clarification of Antitrust Laws Charitable Giving Protection Act of 1995 - Title I: Amendments to the Securities Laws - Exempts from the jurisdiction of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 any security issued by or any interest or participation in any pooled income fund, collective trust fund, collective investment fund, or similar fund deemed not to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (charitable gift annuities). Preempts State law to extend the charitable gift annuities exemption from its jurisdiction over: (1) securities registration or qualification requirements; and (2) any charitable organization regulation. Permits a State to enact a statute that specifically refers to this Act and provides prospectively that it does not preempt its laws. Title II: Clarification of Antitrust Laws - Exempts charitable gift annuities from application of the antitrust laws.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1995
Newborns' and Mothers' Health Protection Act of 1995 - Requires a health plan to provide maternity benefits for a minimum hospital stay for a mother and her newborn following the birth of the child. Provides an exception for home births. Prohibits a health plan from modifying the terms and conditions of coverage if the enrollee requests less than minimum coverage. Requires a health plan to provide written notice, prominently positioned in any literature or correspondence, to each enrollee regarding the coverage required by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Capital Gains Reform Subtitle A: Capital Gains Deduction for Taxpayers Other Than Corporations Subtitle B: Capital Gains Reduction for Corporations Subtitle C: Capital Loss Deduction Allowed With Respect to Sale or Exchange of Principal Residence Title II: Small Business Venture Capital Stock Capital Formation Act of 1995 - Title I: Capital Gains Reform - Subtitle A: Capital Gains Deduction for Taxpayers Other Than Corporations - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make, for noncorporate taxpayers, 50 percent of net capital gains deductible from gross income. Allows the deduction in computing adjusted gross income. Subtitle B: Capital Gains Reduction for Corporations - Revises requirements regarding alternative capital gains taxes for corporations. Subtitle C: Capital Loss Deduction Allowed With Respect to Sale or Exchange of Principal Residence - Allows an individual to deduct losses arising from the sale or exchange of the taxpayer's principal residence. Title II: Small Business Venture Capital Stock - Increases from 50 percent to 75 percent the exclusion of any gain from the sale or exchange of qualified small business stock held more than five years and applies the exclusion to corporate as well as noncorporate taxpayers. Removes provisions including, as an item of tax preference, a specified percentage of gains on the sale of certain small business stock. Increases the dollar gross asset limits domestic C corporations must not exceed in order to qualify for the exclusion as small businesses and institutes an inflation adjustment for those limits. Removes provisions relating to a per-issuer limitation on a taxpayer's eligible gain. Modifies: (1) working capital provisions and the definition of "qualified trade or business," both with regard to meeting the active business requirement; and (2) requirements regarding purchases by a corporation of its own stock. Recognizes, if the taxpayer so elects, eligible gain from the sale of qualified small business stock only to the extent that the amount realized exceeds specified factors.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1995
Advanced Medical Devices Access Assurance Act of 1995 - Permits coverage under the Medicare program of items and services associated with the use of a medical device in the furnishing of inpatient hospital services, even if the device is not approved, as long as it is an investigational device used instead of either an approved device or a covered procedure. States that a payment made under the Medicare program for any such item or service may not exceed the amount which would have been paid if the item or service were associated with the use of an approved device or a covered procedure.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1995
Prohibits the use of funds for the costs of negotiations, meetings, discussions, or contacts between the United States and Cuba regarding normalization of relations unless 15 days in advance the President has notified the Speaker of the House and the chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate in accordance with procedures applicable to reprogramming notifications under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. Requires the President, within 15 days of such negotiations, meetings, discussions, or contacts, to submit to the Speaker and the chairman a report detailing the individuals involved, the matters discussed, and any agreements made, including agreements to conduct future negotiations, meetings, discussions, or contacts.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1995
Declares that it is the sense of the Senate that: (1) the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is incompatible with the God-given right and responsibility of parents to raise their children; (2) the Convention has the potential to severely restrict States and the Federal Government in their efforts to protect children and enhance family life; (3) the U.S. Constitution is the ultimate guarantor of rights and privileges to every American, including children; and (4) the President should not sign and transmit the Convention to the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1995
Middle East Peace Compliance Act of 1995 - Declares that the Congress has determined that the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) continues to disregard the commitments it has made under specified agreements with Israel. Prohibits U.S. assistance to Palestinians living under the administrative control of the PLO or the Palestinian Authority until the President certifies to the Congress that: (1) the PLO and the Palestinian Authority have complied with the requirements of such agreements; (2) a financial audit has been made by the General Accounting Office (GAO) which provides a full accounting of all U.S. assistance to the Palestinian Authority; (3) the GAO has accounted for all U.S. and international assistance that it believes may have been misused by such entities; (4) the PLO has taken steps to provide information leading to the arrest and extradition to the United States for prosecution of PLO-connected individuals alleged to be responsible for terrorist attacks on specified American citizens or property since 1964; (5) full and fair compensation is provided by the PLO to U.S. victims of PLO terrorism; and (6) equipment and technology for security examination of cargo and vehicles have been made available to Israel. Directs the President to disclose in a classified manner to certain congressional committees the substance of any secret agreements, understandings, or promises, either formal or informal, between the United States and Israel, and the United States and the PLO, connected with the implementation of the Declaration of Principles, that commits the United States to certain courses of action or provisions of assistance. Authorizes the President to suspend specified provisions of Federal law until May 31, 1996, subject to prior approval of the Chairmen of certain congressional committees. Directs the President to request both the PLO and the Palestinian Authority to provide a financial statement of their assets and income for the year before enactment of this Act. Prohibits funds to the Palestinian Authority until the President reports such information to the relevant congressional committees. Prohibits the President from making any commitments or providing funds for any activity for the establishment of a U.S. diplomatic post in any area under the administrative control of the PLO or the Palestinian Authority.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1995
Credit Union Reform and Enhancement Act - Amends the Federal Credit Union Act (the Act) to repeal the power of a Federal credit union to invest in the shares or deposits of any central credit union. Permits an insured credit union to invest in another credit union only if the latter is also insured under the Federal Credit Union Act. Sets conditions under which an insured State-chartered credit union may exercise its asset powers. Brings corporate credit unions within the purview of the Act. Directs the National Credit Union Administration Board (NCUA) to promulgate regulations governing corporate credit unions which establish: (1) limits on loans and investments to a single obligor; and (2) minimum capital requirements. Empowers the NCUA to: (1) appoint itself liquidating agent for any State-chartered federally insured credit union; and (2) close such credit union upon determining it is either insolvent or bankrupt. Precludes the NCUA from exercising such power without prior consultation with the appropriate State credit union supervisory authority.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the United Mine Workers of America Benefit Fund, to provide: (1) a means for transferring surpluses between the Fund's accounts to reduce shortfalls in the entire Fund; and (2) a formula to reduce or increase operator's premiums according to the Fund's aggregated surplus or shortfall, respectively. Sets the amount of the per beneficiary health benefit premium. Directs the Trustees of the combined Fund to disclose to contributors, upon written request, all documents showing its financial and operational status and all documents prepared at trustee or staff request that form the basis for the Fund's actions or reports.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1995
Amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to declare that persons elected or appointed to judicial office are not excluded from the definition of "employee" for purposes of the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1995
Radio Free Iran Act - Directs the United States Information Agency to provide for the open communication of information and ideas on Iran through the use of radio broadcasting to Iran. Designates any U.S. Government radio broadcasts in the Farsi language to Iran as "Radio Free Iran." Establishes the Advisory Board for Radio Free Iran to establish standards to ensure that programs are objective, accurate, and balanced and present a variety of views. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1995
Semiconductor Investment Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make the depreciable life of semiconductor manufacturing equipment three years for purposes of application of the accelerated cost recovery system.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1995
Vietnam POW/MIA Full Disclosure Act of 1995 - Prohibits the usage of Federal funds to establish most-favored-nation trading status or to establish or maintain diplomatic relations with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam unless the President: (1) provides a listing of the Americans unaccounted for from the Vietnam War about whom Vietnam is most likely to be able to provide remains or additional information; (2) certifies that Vietnam is cooperating fully with regard to recovery and repatriation of American remains, resolution of discrepancies, live-sightings and field activities, implementation of trilateral investigations with the Lao, and provision of documents on POW/MIAs; and (3) certifies that Vietnam is being fully forthcoming in providing access to Central Committee-level records pertaining to Americans captured or held during the war in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1995
Establishes the Special Committee to Investigate Whitewater Development Corporation and Related Matters to be administered by the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Includes as purposes of the Special Committee to investigate, hold public hearings, and report to the Congress on: (1) White House handling of documents in the office of White House Deputy Counsel Vincent Foster following his death; (2) handling of Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC) confidential information, criminal referrals, and employees in relation to Madison Guaranty Savings and Loan Association or such Corporation; (3) disclosure of the Office of Government Ethics report of July 31, 1994,or related transcripts; (4) such Association, such Corporation, and RTC policies, practices, and actions regarding such Association; (5) funding and lending practices of Capital Management Services, Inc.; (6) bond underwriting contracts between Arkansas Development Finance Authority and Lasater & Company; and (7) lending activities of Perry County Bank, Perryville, Arkansas, in connection with the 1990 Arkansas gubernatorial election.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1995
Advocates that the President should: (1) negotiate a new base rights agreement with the Panamanian Government to permit the stationing of U.S. troops in Panama beyond 1999 and ensure that the United States will be able to act in accordance with the Panama Canal Treaty and the Treaty Concerning the Permanent Neutrality and Operation of the Panama Canal to assure the neutrality, security, and accessibility of the canal; and (2) consult with the Congress throughout such negotiations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1995
Bank Insurance Fund and Depositor Protection Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to exclude from its definition of "deposit" any liability of an insured depository institution that arises under an annuity contract, the income on which is tax deferred (thus excluding such liabilities from Federal deposit insurance coverage).
![Official portrait of Sen. D'Amato, Alfonse [R-NY]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/d000018_200.jpg)