United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1994
Railroad Grade Crossing Safety Act of 1994 - Amends the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970 to direct the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to establish uniform standards regarding the allocation of responsibility for selection and installation of signal devices at public railroad-highway grade crossings. (Sec. 3) Requires the Secretary to conduct a rulemaking proceeding to require that each State highway safety management system include: (1) public railroad-highway grade crossing closure plans that are aimed at eliminating high-risk or redundant crossings; and (2) railroad-highway grade crossings policies that limit the creation of new at-grade crossings for vehicle or pedestrian traffic, recreational use, or any other purpose. (Sec. 4) Requires the Secretary to establish an emergency "800" telephone number notification system that the public can use to convey to railroads information about malfunctions or other safety problems at such crossings. Prohibits a court from holding the Secretary or other Federal agency, or State or local government agency liable for damages caused by any action or failure to perform a duty under this Act. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 5) Authorizes appropriations for Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (Sec. 6) Requires the Secretary to ensure that the National Intelligent Vehicle-Highway Systems Program addresses the use of intelligent vehicle-highway system technologies to promote safety at railroad-highway grade crossings. (Sec. 7) Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations to prohibit the driver of a motor vehicle transporting hazardous materials in commerce, and of any commercial vehicle, from driving such vehicle onto a railroad-highway crossing without having sufficient space to drive through the crossing without stopping. Sets forth civil penalties for persons who deface signs or devices or who trespass on such crossings. (Sec. 8) Amends the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 to require the Secretary to issue regulations establishing sanctions and penalties for persons who operate a commercial motor vehicle and violate laws pertaining to railroad-highway grade crossings. (Sec. 9) Requires the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the Office of Motor Carrier Safety within the Federal Highway Administration, to cooperate with the National Association of Governors' Highway Safety Representatives, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, and Operation Lifesaver, Inc., to improve enforcement of laws pertaining to railroad-highway grade crossings.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1994
Extends (from May 8, 1994) to August 18, 1994, the effective date of certain nutrition labeling requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990. Applies such extension to food products contained in a package for which the label was printed before April 1, 1994, if, before June 15, 1994, the person introducing or delivering the food product for introduction into interstate commerce certifies to the Secretary of Health and Human Services that such requirements will be complied with after August 18, 1994.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1994
George C. Marshall Commemorative Coin Act of 1994 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue one-dollar silver coins with the likeness of George C. Marshall in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II and General George C. Marshall's service. Directs the Secretary to pay all surcharges from such coin sales to the Friends of George C. Marshall to be used solely for the construction of the George C. Marshall Memorial and Visitor Center in Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1994
Welfare and Medicaid Responsibility Exchange Act of 1994 - Provides for the termination of AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children), JOBS (Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training Program), WIC (Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children), and food stamp programs after FY 1995, shifting financial responsibility to the States for providing similar assistance to low-income individuals, with such assistance paid for out of a reduction in the State's share of Medicaid funding equivalent to the Federal welfare savings. Federalizes the Medicaid program after FY 2000, relieving States of their administrative or financial responsibility for it.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1994
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to make technical corrections to provisions added by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 in order to allow children and pregnant women to receive Medicaid services from osteopathic physicians and in emergency departments of hospitals.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1994
National Highway System Designation Act of 1994 - Designates the most recent National Highway System as submitted by the Secretary of Transportation to be the National Highway System (NHS). Authorizes the Secretary, at the request of a State, to add a new route segment to the NHS (including a new intermodal connection) or delete an existing route segment if the total mileage of the NHS, including any route segment or connection proposed to be added, does not exceed 165,000 miles. Requires each State making a request for a change in the NHS to establish that each change has been identified by the State, in cooperation with local officials, pursuant to applicable transportation planning activities for metropolitan areas and statewide planning processes. Authorizes the Secretary to approve such a request upon determining that the change meets the criteria established for, and enhances the national transportation characteristics of, the NHS.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: General Provisions Title II: Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure Title III: Assistance for Public Broadcasting Facilities Title IV: National Telecommunications and Information Administration Title V: National Endowment for Children's Educational Television Title VI: Peacesat Program National Telecommunications and Information Administration Authorization Act of 1994 - Title I: General Provisions - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce, in order to facilitate the development of the national telecommunications and information infrastructure (NTII), to establish and maintain as separate Federal assistance programs: (1) a program for NTII projects which enhance the delivery of diverse social services to the public and support the formulation of a nationwide infrastructure of various information technologies; and (2) a program for public broadcasting projects which extend the delivery of public broadcasting services to as many U.S. citizens as possible, increase the provision of such services for minorities, native Americans, and women, and strengthen the capability of existing public broadcasting entities to provide public broadcasting services to the public. Title II: Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure - Amends the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act to add provisions concerning Federal assistance for telecommunications and information infrastructure development through matching grants. Directs such grants to be used to: (1) expand telecommunications networks or systems for health care providers, educational institutions, research facilities, libraries, museums, State and local governments, public safety services, and other social service and public information providers; (2) enhance the ability of such entities to access existing and new sources of information; (3) improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the delivery of social services to urban and rural citizens; (4) support telecommunications demonstration projects in the delivery of social services; and (5) increase the productivity, personal growth, and quality of life for U.S. citizens through efficient access to information. Outlines provisions concerning: (1) grant criteria; (2) application requirements; (3) NTII training and planning activities; (4) required regulations; (5) special consideration for certain meritorious applications; (6) the recovery of grant funds for failed projects or activities; (7) recordkeeping requirements for grant recipients; (8) the collection and dissemination of information through clearinghouses; and (9) the authorization of appropriations to the Secretary for FY 1994 through 1998 for grant purposes. Title III: Assistance for Public Broadcasting Facilities - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to: (1) change "telecommunications" references to "broadcasting"; (2) extend through FY 1996 the authorization of appropriations for Federal assistance for public broadcasting facilities and programs; (3) delete a current requirement of a five-year plan for each public broadcasting facility construction project; (4) require special consideration in the award of such construction grants to native Americans and populations traditionally underserved in the ownership and operation of public broadcasting entities; (5) revise provisions concerning the waiting period before the authorized recovery of funds for failed public broadcasting projects or programs; (6) allow for Federal matching grant funds with respect to grants awarded to a consortium of Indian post-secondary educational institutions; and (7) amend or add definitions under such Act. Title IV: National Telecommunications and Information Administration - Amends the National Telecommunication and Information Administration Organization Act to increase and extend through FY 1996 the authorization of appropriations under such Act. Title V: National Endowment for Children's Educational Television - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to extend through FY 1996 the authorization of appropriations for the National Endowment for Children's Educational Television. Title VI: Peacesat Program - Extends the authorization of appropriations for activities of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration through FY 1995.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1994
Social Security Disability and Rehabilitation Act of 1994 - Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require individuals on drugs or alcohol to: (1) undergo, or be scheduled for, appropriate treatment for substance abuse if it is reasonably available; (2) comply with the terms of such treatment; and (3) have a qualified governmental representative payee in order to receive disability benefits under the social security disability insurance (SSDI) and SSI programs. Sets up a monitoring and testing program under each such title for ensuring such compliance, with benefits terminated or suspended in cases of noncompliance, and with all disability benefits related to substance abuse terminated after three years. Requires the proceeds derived from criminal activities to support substance abuse to be considered substantial gainful activity. Revises penalty provisions, with changes providing for the exclusion of SSDI and SSI program defrauders from such programs and other Federal health and social services programs. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) assure that every individual on drugs or alcohol who is receiving SSDI or SSI disability benefits be given high priority for treatment through entities supported by State substance abuse block grants; and (2) provide for the establishment of referral and monitoring agencies for each State for carrying out treatment requirements under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1994
1995 Special Olympics World Games Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue one-dollar silver coins emblematic of the 1995 Special Olympics World Games. Mandates that the surcharges collected from the sale of such coins be paid to the 1995 Special Olympics World Games Organizing Committee, Inc.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1994
Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to make permanent its "Super 301" provision (under which the U.S. Government must identify annually those foreign markets most closed to U.S. exports and initiate specified unfair trade actions to open those markets). Increases from 30 days to 180 days the period between release of the National Trade Estimate and the announcement of Super 301 sanction priorities.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1994
Automobile and Minivan Bumper Improvement Act of 1994 - Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to direct the Secretary of Transportation to promulgate a regulation establishing bumper system labeling requirements for passenger motor vehicles constructed without special features for occasional off-road operation. Requires such labeling to disclose the impact speed at which the manufacturer represents that the vehicle meets the applicable damage criteria under the bumper standard specified in the Code of Federal Regulations. Directs the Secretary to amend such bumper standard to make it identical with the standard in effect on January 1, 1982. Permits the Secretary to require a standard more stringent than the one in effect on January 1, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1994
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend, through December 31, 1996, the duty on 2-(4-chloro-2- methyl phenoxy) propionic acid.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Saving the Taxpayers Money Subtitle A: Specific Spending Cuts Subtitle B: Reducing the Size of Government Subtitle C: Eliminating Government Printing Monopoly Title II: Streamlining the Federal Bureaucracy Subtitle A: Department of Agriculture Reorganization Subtitle B: Procurement Streamlining Subtitle C: Other Streamlining Reforms Title III: Improving Government Performance and Accountability Title IV: Improving the Legislative Process Title V: Enforcement Government Downsizing, Performance, and Accountability Act of 1994 - Title I: Saving The Taxpayers Money - Subtitle A: Specific Spending Cuts - Rescinds 7.5 percent of remaining FY 1994 appropriations for the legislative branch (except the House of Representatives and the Executive Office of the President). (Sec. 1003) Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to limit annual cost of living adjustments (COLAs) for Members of Congress to those for other Federal employees. (Sec. 1004) Rescinds certain FY 1994 appropriations to provide for reductions in FY 1994 budgetary outlays for, and thereafter through FY 1996 sets general obligational limits on, various specified agency administrative expenses (except Department of Defense (DOD) and other specified expenses), as determined by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). (Sec. 1005) Makes specified rescissions in current FY 1994 appropriations for: (1) the Agency for International Development's (AID) Development Assistance Fund; (2) Department of State Diplomatic and Consular Programs; and (3) salaries and expenses of the United States Information Agency (USIA) and USIA's North/South Center. (Sec. 1006) Raises the minimum threshold for application of the prevailing wage requirements of the Davis-Bacon Act from $2,000 to $100,000 for Federal or District of Columbia contracts within the geographical limits of the 48 contiguous States. Prohibits artificially splitting contracts above the $100,000 threshold into contracts smaller than $100,000 for the purpose of evading such Act. (Sec. 1007) Permits the use of funds under the Department of Labor Appropriations Act, 1994 to implement or administer certain regulations pertaining to utilization of helpers on Federal construction projects subject to the Davis-Bacon Act. (Sec. 1008) Amends the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965 to phase-in through FY 1998 a ten percent reduction in Federal funding for the National Endowments for the Arts and the Humanities. Requires a phase-in of eight percent funding reductions for the Smithsonian Institution, the National Gallery of Art, and Corporation for Public Broadcasting. (Sec. 1009) Places a one-year moratorium on construction of new Federal buildings and agency leasing of building space, except construction of buildings primarily used for education, and certain pending projects. Rescinds a specified amount of FY 1994 obligational authority from the Federal Buildings Fund for new construction and acquisitions. (Sec. 1010) Makes specified rescissions of FY 1994 funding for: (1) the Appalachian Regional Commission; (2) the Legal Services Corporation; (3) community development block grant programs; (4) the Tennessee Valley Authority; (5) public housing; (6) the Economic Development Administration; (7) the International Developmental Association (IDA); (8) the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development; and (9) United Nations (UN) peacekeeping. (Sec. 1012) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to reauthorize at slightly increased levels and extend through FY 1998 the community development grant program for States, local governments, and Indian tribes. (Sec. 1014) Replaces programs providing Federal assistance for the construction of new non-Indian-related public housing with a tenant-based voucher assistance program. (Sec. 1016) Expands the program which assists Federal employees permanently disabled on the job in order to help them find new employment. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to expand the Federal Employees' Compensation Act Periodic Roll Management Projects to all offices of the Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Program. Amends the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1994 to impose limitations on the availability of funding for the IDA in FY 1994 and 1995. (Sec. 1018) Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to allow the use of any cogeneration process for other than federally owned buildings or other federally owned facilities when entering into contracts for achieving energy savings at Federal agencies. (Sec. 1019) Amends the National Housing Act to revise mortgage refinancing provisions to authorize the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to use amounts recaptured under such provisions for the refinancing incentives and costs payments authorized under them. Subtitle B: Reducing the Size of Government - Alaska Power Administration Sale Authorization Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Energy, in accordance with specified purchase agreements, to sell: (1) the Snettisham Hydroelectric Project to Alaska; and (2) the Eklutna Hydroelectric Project to the Anchorage Municipal Light and Power, the Chugach Electric Association, Inc., and the Matanuska Electric Association, Inc. (Sec. 1101) Directs the Secretary to: (1) close out the Alaska Power Administration; (2) report to the Congress on the sales; and (3) return to the Treasury unused balances of funds appropriated for the Alaska Power Administration. Repeals specified Federal law concerning water resources investigations in Alaska by the Secretary of the Interior. (Sec. 1102) Rescinds a specified amount of funds available for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fleet for research. (Sec. 1103) Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to phase-out and close certain Department of Veterans Affairs supply depots in New Jersey, Illinois, and California and transfer funding back to the Treasury. (Sec. 1104) Repeals the State Justice Institute Act of 1984, thereby terminating the State Justice Institute. Rescinds half the FY 1994 appropriations for salaries and expenses of the State Justice Institute. (Sec. 1105) Eliminates the National Small Business Tree Planting Program. (Sec. 1106) Amends Federal law to: (1) permit DOD to contract for certain non-core functions such as data processing, billing, and payroll; (2) authorize appropriations out of a special fund credited with a portion of the delinquent debts collected in order to improve debt collection activities; (3) allow the U.S. Customs Service to utilize private debt collection companies; (4) subject the Internal Revenue Service, the Social Security Administration, and the U.S. Customs Service to statutorily prescribed debt collection reporting requirements; and (5) repeal requirements pertaining to Department of Justice contracting for private legal services in connection with indebtedness cases. Subtitle C: Eliminating Government Printing Monopoly - Government Information Dissemination and Printing Improvement Act of 1994 - Transfers the position of Superintendent of Documents (SD) and all its functions to the Library of Congress, to be carried out by an official of the same title under the direction of the Librarian of Congress. (Sec. 1202) Revokes all existing authorized printing plant charters. (Sec. 1203) Requires all Government publications to be available for use throughout the Government. (Sec. 1204) Requires each department, agency, and other entity of the Government to: (1) establish a comprehensive inventory of its publications; (2) make it available via the electronic directory; and (3) furnish its publications to the SD. (Sec. 1205) Imposes additional specified responsibilities on the: (1) Public Printer with respect to the executive and judicial branches; and (2) SD with respect to dissemination of Government publications. (Sec. 1206) Requires the head of a Government department, agency, or entity to furnish any of its publications to the SD. (Sec. 1207) Requires the SD to make Government publications available to designated depository libraries and State libraries. Title II: Streamlining The Federal Bureaucracy - Subtitle A: Department of Agriculture Reorganization - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) consolidate field, regional, and national offices within the Department of Agriculture; and (2) reduce personnel in order to achieve a specified expenditure reduction by FY 2000. Subtitle B: Procurement Streamlining - Replaces armed forces provisions giving preference to nondevelopmental items in supply procurements with provisions for the acquisition of commercial items (property regularly used by the general public or non-governmental entities for non-governmental purposes) in equipment or supply procurements. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to develop and acquire non-commercial equipment or supplies only if no commercial items are available. Makes cost accounting standards under the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (OFPPA) inapplicable to acquisitions of commercial items. (Sec. 2052) Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (FPASA) to make similar changes with respect to civilian agency acquisitions. (Sec. 2061) Amends OFPPA to raise the small purchase threshold (renamed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT)) to $100,000. Makes the same change with regard to armed services acquisitions, except with regard to the contingency operation exception for certain contracts and purchases. Extends the new threshold under OFPPA to FPASA. (Sec. 2066) Requires simplified procedures under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) for SAT acquisitions. (Sec. 2068) Amends OFPPA and the Small Business Act to: (1) repeal references to "the small purchase threshold" and continue existing notice thresholds for procurements over $25,000 (except that the requirement to allow 30 days for bid and proposal submission would apply only to contracts or orders in excess of SAT); and (2) prescribe additional contents for notices with respect to contracts between $25,000 and $100,000. (Sec. 2071) Exempts: (1) subject agency (National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Coast Guard, DOD, and respective military departments) contracts below SAT from contingent fee certifications, prohibitions on limiting subcontractor direct sales and doing business with certain contractors, and requirements for audits, supplier and supply source identification, and use of U.S. vessels for supply transportation; (2) civilian agency contracts below SAT from similar requirements with regard to subcontractor direct sales; (3) prime contracts below SAT from procedural and other requirements of the Anti-Kickback Act of 1986; and (4) contracts below SAT from the Miller Act (MA), the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act, Service Contract Act of 1965, and Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, requirements regarding certain disabled veterans, and specified requirements under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Buy American Act, and Davis-Bacon Act. Requires the FAR to provide various alternative payment protections, including payment bonds, for suppliers of labor and materials on certain contracts under MA. (Sec. 2081) Requires the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council to review the FAR to identify and amend regulations applicable to acquisitions below SAT. Requires agency heads to take similar action with respect to applicable supplemental regulations, policies, and procedures. Subtitle C: Other Streamlining Reforms - Amends the Copeland Act to require employers on contracts covered by the Davis-Bacon Act to certify compliance with applicable labor law standards at least once monthly, instead of weekly, to the Department of Labor. (Sec. 2102) Consolidates into the Block Grants to States for Social Services program under title XX of the Social Security Act (SSA) various social services programs under the Community Services Block Grant Act, the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990, titles III (Grants for State and Community Programs on Aging) and VII (Nutrition Program for the Elderly) of the Older Americans Act of 1965, the State Dependent Care Development Grants Act, and the SSA title IV part A (Aid to Families With Dependent Children) program for at-risk children. (Sec. 2103) Amends SSA title XVIII (Medicare) to revise the contractor system under Medicare, including eliminating the Railroad Retirement Board's authority to contract for processing the Medicare claims of railroad retirees, in order to provide for increased flexibility in contracting for Medicare claims processing. (Sec. 2104) Amends SSA title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) to restructure the current program for death information exchange: (1) to use, for example, a Federal Clearinghouse on Death Information as the vehicle for all such exchanges; and (2) in the case of individuals with respect to whom federally funded benefits are provided by (or through) a Federal or State agency other than under SSA, to require such agency to pay a set fee to cover all costs connected with the provision of such information for them. Ends the exemption from Internal Revenue Code requirements for Social Security Administration sharing of State collected death information with Federal, State, and local agencies granted to two States under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993. (Sec. 2105) Amends SSA title II to earmark specified levels of administrative funding for continuing disability reviews of disabled beneficiaries. (Sec. 2106) Amends SSA title XI to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to use the Medicare and Medicaid Coverage Data Bank (renamed the Health Care Coverage Data Bank) to determine whether veterans receiving VA health care benefits have private insurance. (Sec. 2107) Amends the Housing and Community Development Amendments of 1978 to revise requirements for the management and disposition of Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-held multifamily properties and mortgages. Title III: Improving Government Performance and Accountability - Requires that all authorization and appropriation legislation contain performance goals for any programs they fund. Provides for waivers from such requirement under certain conditions. (Sec. 3002) Amends Federal civil service law to: (1) link Federal within-grade pay increases to job performance; (2) provide for the modification of reduction-in-force (RIF) regulations to give an employee's efficiency or performance rating greater weight than tenure of employment and length of service during a RIF. (Sec. 3003) Requires the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board to recommend comprehensive and uniform Federal accounting and financial standards to the Congress and the President. (Sec. 3005) Revises current law regarding annual agency financial statements and agency audits, with changes requiring audited statements covering all accounts and associated activities of each office, bureau, and activity of the concerned agency. (Sec. 3006) Amends the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) to: (1) make it a felony to lie on FECA benefit applications; (2) bar from FECA program participation those individuals convicted of defrauding it; and (3) generally cut off FECA benefits to individuals in correctional facilities who have been convicted of a felony. (Sec. 3007) Allows Federal agencies to reduce employees or positions below mandated personnel levels. Title IV: Improving the Legislative Process - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to require that each line-item in an appropriations bill and each tax expenditure in a revenue bill be enrolled as a separate bill to be presented to the President (effectively giving the President line-item veto authority over such measures while ensuring that the override provisions of the U.S. Constitution apply). (Sec. 4002) Amends rule XVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate to allow a point of order against reception or consideration of any appropriations bill or amendment containing a provision that has not been previously authorized by law within the preceding five years. (Sec. 4003) Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to make congressional consideration of emergency legislation subject to the same budgetary points of order and super-majority waiver requirements as other legislation. Title V: Enforcement - Provides that none of the changes in direct spending and receipts resulting from this Act shall be reflected in OMB estimates under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Directs the Director of OMB, upon enactment of this Act, to make specified downward adjustments in discretionary spending limits under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 for FY 1994 through 1999. Makes specified reductions in budget outlays and authority for the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. Authorizes and directs each Committee on Appropriations to adjust its suballocations among its subcommittees for FY 1994 to reflect the lower allocations provided above. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act to provide for the establishment of a defense firewall through FY 1998.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1994
Expresses the sense of the Congress that a postage stamp should be issued to honor the 100th anniversary of the Jewish War Veterans of the United States and that the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee of the U.S. Postal Service should make such recommendation to the Postmaster General.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Protection and Advancement of Universal Service Title II: Telecommunications Investment Title III: Regulatory Reform Title IV: Authorized Activities of Bell Operating Companies Title V: Regulatory Parity Between Telephone and Cable Companies Title VI: Customer Control Over Information Title VII: Media Diversity Communications Act of 1994 - Title I: Protection and Advancement of Universal Service - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 (the Act) to provide as U.S. national and international communications policy goals: (1) equal access to basic telecommunications services at reasonable rates; (2) the development and availability of new technologies; (3) equal access to diverse sources of information; and (4) the use of telecommunications services and technology to promote the exchange of ideas, economic welfare and quality of life, and the protection of control over an individual's use of such services. (Sec. 102) Requires every common carrier engaged in interstate, intrastate, or foreign communication by wire or radio to preserve and advance universal telecommunications service. Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to set forth (and periodically revise) guidelines for the definition of universal service, delegating to each State the primary responsibilities of defining such term and ensuring that universal service goals are met. Allows direct assistance to telecommunications carriers to be considered by the States as a means of providing universal service. Requires each State to act within two years or the FCC would assume such responsibility. (Sec. 103) Requires all telecommunications carriers that use public rights of way to permit the following entities to obtain access to intrastate and interstate services provided by such carriers at preferential rates: educational and health care institutions, State and local governments, public broadcast stations, libraries and other public entities, community newspapers, and broadcasters in the smallest markets. Provides related FCC rulemaking responsibilities. Title II: Telecommunications Investment - Amends the Act to require the FCC to take appropriate action to ensure that State regulatory authorities achieve the goal of ensuring that telecommunications carriers provide consumers in rural and noncompetitive markets with access to high quality, interoperable telecommunications network facilities and capabilities at reasonable, nondiscriminatory rates. Provides FCC preemptive authority over conflicting State or local statutes or regulations in such regard. Encourages States to implement regulatory incentives for the development of high quality telecommunications network facilities and capabilities. Encourages telecommunications carriers and equipment manufacturers to develop standards which ensure the interconnection and interoperability of such networks. Allows the FCC to develop such standards when industry participants fail to do so. Directs the FCC to prescribe regulations: (1) that permit joint coordinated network planning, design, and cooperative implementation among all telecommunications carriers in the provision of public switched network infrastructure and services; and (2) that require a local exchange carrier to share public switched network infrastructure and functions with requesting carriers which lack the economies of scale or scope for the required function. Requires the FCC and the States to ensure that advances in network capabilities and telecommunications services deployed by carriers are designed to be accessible to individuals with disabilities. Requires the FCC to: (1) publish annually a survey of the deployment of technologies on a State-by-State basis; and (2) develop regulations to allocate a local exchange carrier's costs of deploying broadband telecommunications facilities between local exchange service and competitive services. Title III: Regulatory Reform - Prohibits, after a specified conditional date, a State or local statute, regulation, or requirement from having the effect of prohibiting the ability of an entity to provide interstate or intrastate telecommunications services, or discriminating among telecommunications carriers. Allows an electric, gas, water, or steam utility to provide telecommunications services. Directs the FCC to prescribe regulations that require each telecommunications carrier to provide upon request to any telecommunications equipment manufacturer or entity certain interconnection services and nondiscriminatory access to facilities, as well as information necessary for interoperability. Requires consumers to be informed of telecommunications alternatives among competing service providers. Directs the FCC to prescribe regulations ensuring telecommunications number portability (the ability of telecommunications service users to retain existing numbers without adverse effects when switching from one telecommunications carrier to another). Allows the FCC to provide regulatory flexibility to ensure that carriers with small market power can effectively compete for the provision of telecommunications services with larger entities. Directs the FCC, and encourages the States, to permit carriers pricing flexibility in competitive service or geographic markets. Requires FCC implementing regulations. Title IV: Authorizes Activities of Bell Operating Companies - Subtitle A: Telecommunications Equipment Research and Manufacturing Competition - Telecommunications Equipment Research and Manufacturing Competition Act of 1994 - Amends the Act to authorize a Bell operating company (BOC), through an affiliate, to manufacture and provide telecommunications equipment and to manufacture customer premises equipment, except that no BOC may engage in such manufacturing with an unaffiliated BOC or affiliates thereof. (Sec. 403) Allows such manufacturing or provision to be conducted only through an affiliate that is separate from any BOC. Requires the FCC to prescribe regulations ensuring the separability of such an affiliate. Requires the affiliate to conduct all of its manufacturing, and have all of its customer premises equipment manufactured, within the United States, with an exception after a good faith effort to do so. Requires each such affiliate to make available to all regulated local telephone exchange carriers, without discrimination or preference, any telecommunications equipment (including upgrades) manufactured by such affiliate for use with the public telecommunications network, so long as each purchaser does not manufacture such equipment or agrees to make available to the BOC or any of its affiliates any telecommunications equipment manufactured by such purchaser or any of its affiliates. Directs the FCC to require that each BOC maintain and file with the FCC complete information with respect to the protocols and technical requirements for connection with and use of its telephone exchange service facilities. Prohibits a BOC from disclosing any such information to its affiliates unless such information is immediately so filed. Directs the FCC to prescribe appropriate regulations ensuring open and equal competition between a BOC that has a manufacturing affiliate and other manufacturers of telecommunications and customer premises equipment. Allows a BOC and its affiliate to engage in close collaboration with any such manufacturer during the design and development of hardware and software relating to such equipment. Provides FCC administration and enforcement authority with respect to this subtitle. Requires annual audits of BOCs with manufacturing affiliates, with audit review by the FCC. (Sec. 404) Amends the Act to increase from $6,000 to $10,000 the daily fine for failure to keep or submit any required telecommunications carrier records. Subtitle B: Regulation of Alarm Services and Electronic Publishing by Bell Operating Companies - Amends the Act to prohibit a BOC or its affiliates from providing alarm monitoring services for the protection of life, safety, or property. Allows a BOC to transport alarm monitoring service signals, but on a common carrier basis only. Allows a BOC or its affiliate, after five and one half years after the enactment of this Act, to petition the FCC for permission to provide alarm monitoring services. Authorizes the FCC to grant such permission beginning six years from the enactment of this Act, after certain findings by the FCC and the Department of Justice. Requires FCC regulation of such services. Provides expedited consideration of complaints arising from a BOC's provision of such services, and remedies. (Sec. 452) Prohibits a BOC or its affiliate from providing electronic publishing that is disseminated by means of the basic telephone service of the BOC or affiliate. Allows a separated affiliate or joint venture to engage in electronic publishing if certain requirements are met concerning the separate business aspect of the separated affiliate or joint venture. Outlines specified requirements of a BOC under common ownership or control with a separated affiliate or joint venture which ensure that any transactions between the BOC and the separated affiliate or joint venture involving the provision of personnel, facilities, or services to aid in electronic publishing are offered on an equal basis to all unaffiliated entities. Requires annual compliance reviews. Prohibits a BOC or its affiliate from providing to any electronic publisher, including separated affiliates or joint ventures, customer proprietary network information for electronic publishing use that is disseminated by the basic telephone service of the BOC or its affiliate unless such information is made equally available to all electronic publishers. Outlines permissible joint activities between a BOC and its separated affiliate, joint venture, or affiliate, including joint telemarketing, nondiscriminatory teaming or business arrangements, and electronic publishing joint ventures. (Sec. 453) Requires a written contract, recorded in the books and auditable, for transactions related to the provision of electronic publishing between: (1) a BOC and any affiliate; and (2) a BOC affiliate and a separated affiliate. Prohibits a BOC from having officers, employees, property, or facilities in common with any entity whose principal business is electronic publishing. Requires a BOC to provide equally to all entities any facilities, services, or telephone information disseminated through the BOC's basic telephone service which is provided to an entity that engages in electronic publishing. Provides a private right of action for violations of such electronic publishing requirements. Subtitle C: Information Services - Requires BOCs or affiliates to make any gateway service available to all subscribers under nondiscriminatory rates and terms and to offer such services to all information services on a nondiscriminatory basis as well. Defines a "gateway service" as an information service that, at the request of the provider of an electronic publishing or other information service, provides a subscriber with access to such service, utilizing the following functions: data transmission, address translation, billing information, protocol conversion, and introductory information content. Directs the FCC to prescribe cost allocation regulations to prevent any BOC or affiliate that offers services that have market power from using revenues from such services to subsidize competitive information services. Restricts State regulation of information services, except as provided in title VI. Subtitle D: InterLATA Telecommunications Services - Authorizes a BOC to engage in the provision of inter local access and transport area (LATA) (as defined in United States v. Western Electric Company ) telecommunications services subject to specified requirements. Requires the company, as part of such requirements, to demonstrate that there is no possibility of using market power in a telephone exchange and exchange access service market to impede competition. Authorizes Bell companies or affiliates to: (1) own and operate receive-only antennas, satellite master antenna television facilities, satellite earth stations, and interLATA distribution facilities solely for purposes of providing cable service; and (2) engage in interLATA telecommunications service for purposes of one-way transmission of video and audio programming solely for cable service. Permits such companies or their cellular affiliates to provide: (1) authorized interLATA service for cellular mobile radio services; (2) intersystem handoff across LATA boundaries of cellular mobile radio transmissions between adjacent cellular systems; and (3) the routing of cellular transmissions between their cellular systems and a cellular system located in another LATA for purposes of completing a call to one of its out-of-region cellular customers. Requires the FCC to prescribe uniform equal access and long distance presubscription requirements for providers of all cellular and two-way wireless services. Title V: Regulatory Parity Between Telephone and Cable Companies - Revises provisions concerning ownership restrictions to prohibit local exchange carriers subject to title II of the Act from: (1) acquiring more than a five percent interest in any cable system that is providing service within the carrier's telephone exchange service area and is owned by an unaffiliated person; or (2) entering into a joint venture or partnership with a cable operator to provide video programming to subscribers within the telephone exchange service area. Prohibits such carriers from providing video programming (cable) directly to subscribers in its telephone exchange service area unless: (1) such programming is provided through a separate subsidiary; and (2) the FCC finds that the carrier's service is in compliance with specified regulations governing telecommunications competition under this Act. Bars such carriers from engaging in activities that subsidize its video programming operations. Exempts a carrier from such prohibitions if the carrier has no market power in its telephone service area. Establishes similar conditions for cable operators with respect to the provision of telecommunications services. (Sec. 503) Requires subsidiaries to maintain separation from local exchange carriers in terms of operation, commercial activities, and recordkeeping. Requires carriers to establish cost allocation systems that prohibit the costs of providing competitive services from being subsidized by revenue from telephone exchange services. Directs the FCC to ensure that the economic risks associated with the provision of competitive services by a carrier are not borne by the customers of telephone exchange services in the event of a business loss or failure. Title VI: Customer Control Over Information - Prohibits a local exchange carrier, except upon the customer's request, from: (1) using customer proprietary network information in the provision of any service other than telephone exchange or toll service, in the identification or solicitation of potential customers for any service other than the service from which such information is derived, or in the provision of customer premises equipment; or (2) disclosing such information to any affiliate of, or any other person that is not an employee of, such common carrier. Requires the common carrier to: (1) disclose such information to any customer designee at the customer's request; (2) notify the FCC of the availability of aggregate customer proprietary information it provides to an affiliate or to its personnel that are engaged in providing any service that is not necessary to the provision of telephone exchange service or customer premises equipment or to any other person who is not an employee or affiliate; and (3) provide such aggregate information on reasonable terms and conditions to any other service or equipment provider, upon reasonable request. Prohibits the common carrier from discriminating between affiliated and unaffiliated service or equipment providers in providing individual and aggregate or compiled information. States that this Act shall not be construed to prohibit the disclosure of proprietary information as necessary to render, bill, and collect for telephone exchange or toll service or for any other telecommunications service that the customer has requested. Requires a carrier that provides subscriber list information to any affiliated or unaffiliated service provider or person to provide such list on a timely and unbundled basis, under nondiscriminatory and reasonable rates, terms, and conditions, upon reasonable request. Requires any common carrier or affiliate providing automatic number identification (ANI) services to any person to provide such services under a contract or tariff containing telephone subscriber information requirements that: (1) permit such person to use the information provided for billing and collection, completion of the customer's call or transaction, or for services directly related to the customer's call or transaction; (2) prohibit such person from reusing or selling the information provided without the customer's consent; and (3) prohibit such person from disclosing, without the customer's consent, any information derived from such service for any purpose other than performing the services or transactions that are the subject of the customer's call ensuring network performance, security, and the effectiveness of call delivery, compiling, using, and disclosing aggregate information, and complying with applicable law or legal process. Directs the FCC to commence a proceeding to: (1) examine the impact on the privacy rights and remedies of consumers of the integration into interconnected communications networks of wireless telephone, cable, satellite, and other technologies; (2) examine the impact that the globalization of integrated communications networks has on the international dissemination of consumer information and the privacy rights and remedies to protect consumers; (3) propose changes in the FCC's regulations to ensure that consumer privacy rights are protected in new telecommunications services; and (4) prepare recommendations to the Congress for any legislative changes required to correct defects in privacy rights and remedies. Title VII: Media Diversity - Requires the FCC to modify or remove national and local ownership rules on radio and television broadcast stations as necessary to ensure that broadcasters are able to compete fairly with other media providers and that the public receives information from a diversity of media sources. (Sec. 702) Directs the FCC to review a certain ownership restriction with respect to cable operators and report to the Congress on whether such restriction serves the public interest. (Sec. 703) Requires the FCC to complete a notice and comment proceeding to consider the applicability of the FCC's rules regarding network non-duplication protection and syndicated exclusivity protection to other multichannel video programming providers. (Sec. 704) Directs the FCC to prescribe regulations to permit broadcasters to make use of the broadcast spectrum that they are licensed to use for services related to the programming services which they are authorized to provide. Authorizes the FCC, to the extent that the broadcast licensee provides commercial services using broadcast spectrum, to collect a fee from the licensee.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1994
Prohibits the Department of Transportation or any other Federal department, agency, or instrumentality from requiring any State or political subdivision thereof to convert highway signs to metric units.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS Title I: Basic Reforms to Expand Access to Health Insurance coverage and to Ensure Universal Coverage Subtitle A: Universal Access Subtitle B: Qualified General Access Plans in the Small Employer and Individual Marketplace Subtitle C: Qualified Health Plans in the Large Employer Marketplace Subtitle D: Benefits; Benefits Commission Subtitle E: State and Federal Responsibilities in Relation to Qualified Health Plans Subtitle F: Universal Coverage Subtitle G: Definitions Title II: Tax Enforcement Provisions Subtitle A: General Tax Provisions Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Acceleration of Death Benefits Subtitle C: Long-Term Care Tax Provisions Subtitle D: Enforcement Provisions Title III: Quality Assurance and Simplification Subtitle A: Quality Assurance Subtitle B: Administrative Simplification Title IV: Judicial Reforms Subtitle A: Medical Liability Reform Subtitle B: Anti-Fraud and Abuse Control Program Subtitle C: Treatment of Certain Activities Under the Antitrust Laws Title V: Special Assistance for Frontier, Rural, and Urban Underserved Areas Subtitle A: Frontier, Rural, and Urban Underserved Areas Subtitle B: Primary Care Provider Education Subtitle C: Programs Relating to Primary and Preventive Care Services Title VI: Treatment of Existing Federal Programs Subtitle A: Medicaid Program Subtitle B: Medicare Title VII: Patient's Right to Self-Determination Regarding Health Care Health Equity and Access Reform Today Act of 1993 - Title I: Basic Reforms to Expand Access to Health Insurance Coverage and to Ensure Universal Coverage - Subtitle A: Universal Access - Provides access to health insurance coverage under a qualified health plan for every citizen and lawful permanent resident of the United States. (Sec. 1003) Establishes a program under which persons with low incomes (and who are not eligible for Medicaid) will receive vouchers to buy insurance through purchasing groups. (Sec. 1004) Requires each employer to make available, either directly, through a purchasing group, or otherwise, enrollment in a qualified health plan to each eligible employee. Subtitle B: Qualified General Access Plan in the Small Employer and Individual Marketplace - Requires the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to develop specific standards to implement requirements concerning: (1) guaranteed eligibility, availability, and renewability of health insurance coverage; (2) nondiscrimination based on health status; (3) benefits offered; (4) insurer financial solvency; (5) enrollment process; (6) premium rating limitations; (7) risk adjustment; and (8) consumer protection. (Sec. 1119) Requires each qualified general access plan to: (1) establish and maintain a quality assurance program and a mediation procedures program; and (2) contain assurances of service to designated underserved areas. (Sec. 1141) Provides for the formation of purchasing groups by individuals and small employers. (Sec. 1161) Requires brokers or insurers to provide specified information to prospective enrollees. (Sec. 1162) Prohibits insurers from creating improper financial incentives and from selling duplicate coverage. Subtitle C: Qualified Health Plans in the Large Employer Marketplace - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, to establish standards for large employer plans similar to requirements applicable to small employer plans. (Sec. 1203) Requires large employers to offer to employees at least a standard package and a catastrophic package. (Sec. 1205) Allows two or more large employers to form purchasing groups, but not through an individual or small employer purchasing group. (Sec. 1206) Requires a semi-annual review of each large employer plan to determine whether requirements are being met and what corrective actions need to be taken. (Sec. 1221) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Public Health Service Act to revise provisions to conform to this Act. Subtitle D: Benefits; Benefits Commission - Requires each qualified health plan to provide a standard package and a catastrophic package. Specifies items and services to be covered. (Sec. 1311) Establishes the Benefits Commission to develop and propose legislation that provides a clarification of covered items and services and includes specifications for cost sharing. (Sec. 1314) Provides for congressional consideration and implementation of such legislation. Subtitle E: State and Federal Responsibilities in Relation to Qualified Health Plans - Requires each State to establish a program to: (1) certify insured health plans; (2) disseminate information on health care coverage areas; (3) establish procedures for purchasing groups; (4) prepare information concerning plans and purchasing groups; (5) provide for a risk adjustment program, including an adjustment for differences in nonpayments among qualified insured health plans; (6) develop a binding arbitration process; and (7) specify an annual general enrollment period. (Sec. 1421) Allows the waiver of specified requirements. (Sec. 1431) Provides preemptions of certain State laws. (Sec. 1441) Specifies the Federal responsibilities with respect to multi-State employer plans and in case of State defaults. Subtitle F: Universal Coverage - Requires each citizen or lawful permanent resident to be covered under a qualified health plan or equivalent health care program by January 1, 2005. Provides an exception for any individual who is opposed for religious reasons to health plan coverage, including those who rely on healing using spiritual means through prayer alone. Subtitle G: Definitions - Defines terms used in this Act. Title II: Tax and Enforcement Provisions - Subtitle A: General Tax Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from an employee's gross income employer-provided coverage under a qualified health plan or employer-provided contributions to the employee's medical savings account. Includes excess employer contributions in such gross income. (Sec. 2002) Allows a business expense deduction for employer costs of qualified health plans or contributions to an employee's medical savings account. Increases the allowable deduction (from 25 percent to 100 percent) for the qualified health insurance costs of self-employed individuals. Makes such deduction permanent. (Sec. 2003) Allows individuals a tax deduction for contributions made to a medical care savings account established for the benefit of an eligible individual. Allows such deduction whether or not an individual itemizes deductions. Disallows distributions from such accounts as medical expense deductions. Excludes employer contributions to such accounts from employment taxes. Establishes an excise tax for excess contributions to medical care savings accounts. (Sec. 2004) Eliminates the commonality of interest and geographic location requirements with respect to group purchasing by large tax-exempt organizations. (Sec. 2005) Revises and repeals provisions concerning continuation coverage requirements of group health plans upon implementation of this Act. Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Acceleration of Death Benefits - Requires payment under a life insurance contract on the life of an insured who is terminally ill to be treated as a death benefit, making such payment eligible for tax exclusion from gross income. (Sec. 2102) Provides that any reference to life insurance shall be treated as referring to a qualified terminal illness rider. Subtitle C: Long-Term Care Tax Provisions - Treats qualified long-term care services as medical care for purposes of the medical expense deduction. (Sec. 2202) Provides for the treatment of long-term care insurance as accident and health insurance. (Sec. 2301) Sets forth consumer protection provisions to be satisfied by qualified long-term care insurance contracts, including the model regulation and Act promulgated by National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Requires NAIC to promulgate standards for the use of uniform language and definitions in such policies, with certain variations permitted. Subtitle D: Enforcement Provisions - Amends part A (General Provisions) of Social Security Act title XI to establish the Health Insurance Coverage Data Bank to: (1) further the purposes of coverage requirements under this Act; and (2) collect certain information reported by employers about individual employee group health plan coverage for purposes of identifying and collecting from responsible third parties any amounts owed to reimburse Medicare or Medicaid for health care items and services furnished to their beneficiaries. (Replaces the Medicare and Medicaid Coverage Data Bank.) (Sec. 2402) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose excise taxes on failures by employers and insurers to comply with provisions of this Act. (Sec. 2411) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to make conforming changes regarding enforcement of employer failures. Title III: Quality Assurance and Simplification - Subtitle A: Quality Assurance - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with relevant agencies, to develop and publish standards for quality assurance programs and ensure that appropriate performance measures are established. Requires the standards to contain provider risk programs to prevent or provide early warning of practices that may result in injury. (Sec. 3002) Provides for the standardization of information through a national health data system. (Sec. 3003) Requires the Secretary to establish measures to determine quality of care in specialized centers of care. (Sec. 3004) Authorizes appropriations to examine the feasibility of creating an Agency for Clinical Evaluations by consolidating the responsibilities of specified other offices. (Sec. 3005) Requires the Secretary to report annually to the Congress on factors affecting universal coverage and make recommendations for increasing such coverage. (Sec. 3006) Requires the Secretary to monitor the reinsurance market for qualified health plans and periodically report to the Congress on the financial implications. (Sec. 3101) Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish within the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research a clearinghouse for information and research data concerning clinical trials. Requires the appointment of a fund investigator for the Agency. (Sec. 3201) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish the National Fund for Medical Research and provide for the designation of tax overpayments to such fund. Subtitle B: Administrative Simplification - Establishes a health care data interchange system to make data available on a uniform basis to all participants in the health care system. (Sec. 3302) Requires the Health Care Data Panel to develop regulations for the operation of an integrated electronic health care data interchange system. (Sec. 3304) Sets forth requirements for such system including: data and transaction standards, uniform working files, code sets, unique identifiers, standards for confidentiality, rules for the transfer of information, and periodic reviews. (Sec. 3313) Establishes the Health Care Data Panel and a National Health Informatics Commission to advise the Panel on its activities. Title IV: Judicial Reforms - Subtitle A: Medical Liability Reform - Requires a qualified health plan to provide effective mediation procedures for hearing and resolving health care malpractice claims. (Sec. 4013) Requires each State to adopt an alternative dispute resolution method for the resolution of health care malpractice claims and consumer grievances. (Sec. 4021) Establishes provisions with respect to liability under health care malpractice actions brought in State or Federal courts. (Sec. 4022) Limits attorney contingency fees and award amounts for noneconomic damages. (Sec. 4024) Establishes a two-year statute of limitations for health care malpractice claims, except in the case of minors. (Sec. 4025) Requires each State to establish a set of specialty clinical guidelines. Allows the use of such guidelines as a rebuttable presumption in a claim or action, if the service provided was the appropriate standard of medical care. (Sec. 4026) Prohibits the award of punitive damages against the producer of a drug or device that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration. (Sec. 4027) Requires a report to the appropriate congressional committees on the operation of this subtitle. Subtitle B: Anti-Fraud and Abuse Control Program - Requires the Secretary to establish in the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services a program to control fraud and abuse under the universal health care plan. Establishes the Anti-Fraud and Abuse Trust Fund. (Sec. 4102) Amends title XI of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for the application of the penalties for Medicare and Medicaid fraud to all health care programs. (Sec. 4103) Requires the Secretary to establish a program through which Medicare-eligible individuals may report instances of suspected fraud under Medicare. (Sec. 4111) Revises current SSA title XI sanctions for fraud and abuse involving Medicare and State health care programs, with changes providing for: (1) program exclusion for individuals convicted of a felony relating to fraud or the unlawful manufacture or dispensing of a controlled substance; (2) new offenses under civil monetary penalty provisions, such as the offering of inducements to program-eligible individuals; (3) establishment of a minimum period of exclusion for practitioners and persons who fail to meet statutory obligations; (4) intermediate sanctions on eligible health maintenance organizations for program violations; and (5) procedures for imposing such sanctions. (Sec. 4121) Directs the Secretary to establish a national health care fraud and abuse data collection program for the reporting by each government agency and health care plan of final adverse actions against health care providers, suppliers, and practitioners. Requires program information to be made available to the public for a reasonable fee. (Sec. 4122) Amends SSA title XI to require the Secretary to publish in the Federal Register a listing of all final adverse actions taken during the quarter. (Sec. 4131) Amends the Federal criminal code to set penalties for knowingly executing a scheme or artifice to: (1) defraud any health care plan in connection with the delivery of, or payment for, health care benefits, items, or services (benefits); and (2) obtain, by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises, money or property owned by, or under the custody or control of, any health care plan or person in connection with the delivery of, or payment for, health care benefits. (Sec. 4132) Directs the court, upon a finding that a Federal health care offense is of a type that poses a serious threat to the health of any individual or has a significant detrimental impact on the health care system, to order a person convicted of that offense to forfeit property that was used in the commission of the offense or that constitutes or was derived from proceeds traceable to the offense that is of a value proportionate to the seriousness of the offense. (Sec. 4133) Authorizes the Attorney General to commence a civil action in Federal court to enjoin a violation constituting a Federal health care offense. (Sec. 4134) Makes commission of a Federal health care offense a predicate to a violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. (Sec. 4141) Makes provisions of the Civil False Claims Act applicable to the use of false records or statements made to a health care plan. Includes within the definition of "claim" for purposes of such Act any request or demand for money or property which is made or presented to a health care plan. Subtitle C: Treatment of Certain Activities Under the Antitrust Laws - Exempts from the antitrust laws specified "safe harbor" activities related to the provision of health care services. Sets forth provisions regarding the award of attorney fees and costs of suit to the prevailing party in an action based on a claim involving activity found to be exempt. (Sec. 4202) Lists as safe harbors specified: (1) activities relating to health care services of combinations of health care providers with market share below a specified threshold; (2) activities of medical self-regulatory entities relating to standard setting or enforcement activities not conducted for purposes of financial gain; (3) participation of a health care provider in a written survey of the prices of services, reimbursement levels, or the compensation and benefits of employees and personnel; (4) activities relating to health care joint ventures for high technology and costly equipment and services; (5) activities relating to hospital mergers; (6) joint purchasing arrangements; and (7) negotiations. (Sec. 4203) Directs the Attorney General to publish a notice in the Federal Register soliciting proposals for additional safe harbors and to review and report to the Congress on proposed safe harbors. Sets forth criteria in establishing safe harbors, including: (1) the extent to which a competitive or collaborative activity will accomplish an increase in health care access and quality, the establishment of cost efficiencies, and increased ability of health care facilities to provide services in medically underserved areas or to underserved populations; and (2) whether designation as a safe harbor will result in specified desirable outcomes. (Sec. 4204) Directs the Attorney General to issue certificates of review for providers of health care services and assist persons in applying for such certificates. Sets forth provisions regarding applications for, revocation of, and review of determinations regarding such certificates. Limits the disclosure of information. (Sec. 4205) Sets forth provisions regarding notifications providing for a reduction in certain penalties under the antitrust laws for health care cooperative ventures. (Sec. 4206) Directs the Attorney General to: (1) review the safe harbors and certificates of review periodically; and (2) promulgate such rules, regulations, and guidelines as necessary to carry out provisions of this subtitle. (Sec. 4208) Establishes within the Department of Health and Human Services an Office of Health Care Competition Policy. Title V: Special Assistance for Frontier, Rural, and Urban Underserved Areas - Subtitle A: Frontier, Rural, and Urban Underserved Areas - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish a program of allotments to States for grants for community-based primary health services to low-income or medically underserved populations regarding infant mortality and referrals for the health management of infants and pregnant women. Earmarks for the allotments specified percentages of appropriations under certain provisions added by this Act. (Sec. 5002) Mandates grants to federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and other entities for providing access to services for medically underserved populations or in high impact areas not currently being served by a FQHC. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the relationship and interaction between community health centers and hospitals in providing services to such populations. (Sec. 5003) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a nonrefundable credit for certain primary health services providers for mandatory service periods in health professional shortage areas; (2) exclude from gross income qualified loan repayments to the National Health Service Corps; (3) increase the dollar limitation allowed for expensing medical equipment used in rural health shortage areas; and (4) allow a deduction for student loan payments by medical professionals practicing in rural areas. (Sec. 5004) Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for: (1) establishment of rural emergency access care hospitals under Medicare; and (2) coverage of and payment for rural emergency access care hospital services under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). (Sec. 5005) Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary to make grants to States to assist in the creation or enhancement of air medical transport systems that provide victims of medical emergencies in rural areas with access to treatments. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) application and State plan requirements; (2) considerations in awarding grants; (3) State administration and use of grants; (4) the number of grants; and (5) reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 5006) Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a demonstration project and grant program to encourage the development and operation of rural health networks. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 5007) Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on improving access to benefits under qualified health plans for individuals residing in rural areas. Subtitle B: Primary Care Provider Education - Requires the Secretary to provide for the establishment of demonstration projects to evaluate mechanisms to increase the number and percentage of medical students entering primary care practice through funds otherwise available for direct graduate medical education costs under the Medicare program. (Sec. 5102) Allows funding under Medicare for training in nonhospital-owned facilities. (Sec. 5103) Increases authorized funding for the National Health Service Corps Scholarship and Loan Repayment Programs. Authorizes funding through FY 1998. (Sec. 5104) Increases and extends through FY 1997 authorized funding for training for certain health service providers. Subtitle C: Programs Relating to Primary and Preventive Care Services - Authorizes appropriations for a grant program to improve coordination of maternal and infant care. (Sec. 5202) Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize appropriations to carry out a comprehensive school health education and prevention program for elementary and secondary school students. (Sec. 5203) Allows frontier States (including Alaska, Wyoming, and Montana) to implement proposals and participate in demonstration projects which give special consideration to their diverse needs. Title VI: Treatment of Existing Federal Programs - Subtitle A: Medicaid Program - Gives States the option of allowing the enrollment of Medicaid-eligible individuals (including a limited number of AFDC- and SSI-eligible individuals) in the standard benefit package under a qualified health plan, instead of enrollment in the State's Medicaid program. (Sec. 6001) Sets forth requirements for States exercising such option. Places a cap on Federal payments for acute medical services furnished under a State's Medicaid programs. (Sec. 6011) Discontinues reimbursement standards for inpatient hospital services. Revises the Federal medical assistance percentage for certain States. Modifies Federal requirements to allow States more flexibility in contracting for coordinated care services under Medicaid. (Sec. 6021) Provides for waivers from requirements on coordinated care programs. Gives States the option to guarantee the continued Medicaid eligibility of individuals enrolled with risk contracting and other managed care entities. (Sec. 6031) Provides for phased-in elimination of Medicaid hospital disproportionate share adjustment payments. Subtitle B: Medicare - Requires the Secretary to: (1) submit to the Congress a proposal for legislation which provides for the enrollment of Medicare beneficiaries in qualified health plans; and (2) provide for a monthly payment to a qualified health plan on behalf of enrolled Medicare beneficiaries. (Sec. 6111) Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (OMBRA '90) to revise provisions for a modified payment methodology for risk contractors. (Sec. 6112) Requires the Secretary to provide for adjustment in Medicare capitation payments to take into account secondary payer status. Authorizes the Secretary to make additional payments to eligible organizations with risk-sharing contracts. (Sec. 6121) Amends OMBRA '90 to: (1) make permanent the Medicare select policy program; and (2) allow access to Medicare select policies in all States. Amends Medicare to revise the Medicare select policy program and provide for a civil penalty for misrepresentations made in connection with such a policy. (Sec. 6131) Makes specified changes with regard to monthly Medicare part B premium determinations for part B enrollees. (Sec. 6132) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for an increase in the Medicare part B premium for individuals with high income. (Sec. 6133) Makes permanent certain payment reductions relating to outpatient hospital services furnished under Medicare. (Sec. 6135) Imposes copayments for laboratory services and certain home health visits provided under Medicare. (Sec. 6137) Provides for phased-in elimination of Medicare disproportionate share hospital payments. (Sec. 6138) Directs the Secretary to discontinue hospital reimbursements for costs relating to the recovery of bad debts. (Sec. 6139) Makes specified changes with regard to Medicare as a secondary payer. Title VII: Patient's Right to Self-Determination Regarding Health Care - Provides for the treatment of advance directives and other measures, including a study by the Secretary on issues relating to health care decisions by the patient, in addressing the patient's right to self-determination regarding health care.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1993
East Saint Louis Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Architectural Design Competition Act - Establishes a commission to: (1) conduct an architectural competition to solicit design proposals for a museum to be built on the East Saint Louis portion of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial; and (2) study and report to the President and the Congress on possible funding mechanisms for the development, construction, and maintenance of the museum. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Eligible Shareholders of S Corporation Subtitle A: Number of Shareholders Subtitle B: Persons Allowed as Shareholders Subtitle C: Other Provisions Title II: Qualification and Eligibility Requirements for S Corporations Subtitle A: One Class of Stock Subtitle B: Elections and Terminations Subtitle C: Other Provisions Title III: Taxation of S Corporation Shareholders Title IV: Effective Date S Corporation Reform Act of 1993 - Title I: Eligible Shareholders of S Corporation - Subtitle A: Number of Shareholders - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase from 35 to 50 the maximum number of shareholders of an S corporation (small business corporation). Allows members of a family to be treated as one shareholder. Subtitle B: Persons Allowed as Shareholders - Allows the following entities to be shareholders of S corporations: (1) certain tax-exempt organizations; (2) financial institutions that do not use the reserve method of accounting for bad debts; (3) nonresident aliens; and (4) certain small business trusts. Subtitle C: Other Provisions - Extends the post-death qualification for certain trusts to be permitted as shareholders from 60 days to two years. Title II: Qualification and Eligibility Requirements for S Corporation - Subtitle A: Once Class of Stock - Allows an S corporation to issue qualified preferred stock. Permits financial institutions to hold safe harbor debt. Subtitle B: Elections and Terminations - Revises the rules on inadvertent terminations by certain trusts of the election to be an S corporation. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to treat certain late elections as timely and to provide an automatic waiver procedure for certain inadvertent terminations. Expands the post-termination transition period until 120 days after a determination is made that the election had terminated in a prior year. Repeals excessive passive investment income as a termination event. Increases the tax imposed on such excessive income. Subtitle C: Other Provisions - Permits an S corporation to own more than 80 percent of another corporation's stock. Repeals the requirement that partnership rules apply for fringe benefit purposes (making C corporation rules applicable). Provides for the treatment of distributions during loss years. Provides a consent dividend for S corporation elections to by-pass amounts in the accumulated adjustments account when making distributions. Eliminates the need to keep records of certain generally small amounts of earnings arising before 1983. Allows S corporations to make charitable contributions of inventory and scientific property. Title III: Taxation of S Corporation Shareholders - Treats losses on liquidations of S corporations as ordinary to the extent the loss created by ordinary income pass-through triggered the liquidation. Title IV: Effective Date - Makes this Act effective after December 31, 1993.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1993
Designates the United States Courthouse located at Ninth and Locust Streets, Kansas City, Missouri, as the Charles Evans Whittaker United States Courthouse.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1993
Equitable Escheatment Act of 1993 - Amends specified Federal law to prescribe guidelines under which unclaimed distributions of security interests shall be subject to the custodial taking (escheatment) by the State which contains the principal executive offices of either the issuer or the holder of those securities.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1993
Hazard Mitigation and Relocation Assistance Act of 1993 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to: (1) increase from 50 to 75 percent of the cost of hazard mitigation measures the amount authorized to be contributed by the President when determined to be cost-effective while substantially reducing the damage or loss suffered in a major disaster; (2) increase the total Federal contributions authorized for damages from a major disaster to 15 percent of the estimated aggregate amounts of grants to be provided under such Act for such disaster; and (3) provide the terms and conditions under which the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency may provide property acquisition and relocation assistance in connection with flood damaged property. States that the purchase of any real property under a qualified buyout program (the federally assisted purchase of property damaged by the major Midwest flood of 1993) shall not constitute the making of Federal financial assistance available for the cost of a program resulting in the acquisition of real property or in an owner of real property being a displaced person within the meaning of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1993
Ozark Heritage Conservation Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to establish a center for the conservation and interpretation of Ozark culture within the State of Missouri. Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the Director of the National Park Service, to construct a visitor center for the Ozark National Scenic Riverways on lands under the administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary of Agriculture at the site of the U.S. Forest Service Van Buren District Ranger Station within the Mark Twain National Forest. Requires the center to provide interpretive services for the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and the Mark Twain National Forest and to function as a regional cultural center for the study of Ozark folklife, history, and culture. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1993
Rolla Airport Improvement Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to grant releases from any terms, conditions, reservations, and restrictions contained in a certain deed conveying certain property to the city of Rolla, Missouri, for airport purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1993
Health Care Information Modernization and Security Act of 1993 - Amends the Social Security Act to establish the Health Care Data Panel to: (1) develop and submit to the Office of Management and Budget for implementation proposed regulations for an integrated electronic health care data interchange system; (2) select and establish data and transaction standards, conventions, and requirements for the data interchange system; and (3) provide for appointment of a National Health Informatics Commission to advise the Panel on its activities. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1993
Comprehensive Cost Effective Relocation Act of 1993 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to: (1) increase from 50 to 75 percent of the total cost the Federal share of cost-effective hazards mitigation measures taken in an area affected by a major disaster; and (2) increase from ten to 15 percent of the estimated aggregate amounts of major disaster grants made under the Act the total of contributions made for hazard mitigation measures. Authorizes the President, in providing hazard mitigation assistance under the Act for areas affected by flooding in the Midwest beginning on April 13, 1993, to contribute 90 percent of the cost of relocation projects which meet specified requirements. Provides relocation project funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1993
General Aviation Revitalization Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to set forth a 15-year statute of limitations within which a person may bring a civil action against an aircraft manufacturer for damages for death or injury or damage to property arising from an aircraft accident.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1993
Radio Consumer Information Act of 1993 - Amends the Consumer Leasing Act of 1976, the Truth in Lending Act of 1968, and the Truth in Savings Act of 1991 regarding disclosures in connection with advertisements, announcements, or solicitations made through radio.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1993
Church Retirement Benefits Simplification Act of 1993 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to recodify and revise qualifications for church retirement and pension plans. Makes employee contributions to such plans nonforfeitable. Requires the plan to meet minimum vesting requirements. Recodifies the authority of a church or a convention or association of churches to be treated as an employer making contributions to retirement income accounts. Subjects church-related hospitals and universities to certain coverage and related rules in the case of a contract purchased by a church. Requires distributions from retirement income accounts provided by churches to be in accordance with distributions under cash or deferred arrangements. Provides for determining the beginning date for such distributions. Allows self-employed ministers and chaplains who work for non-church employers to participate in their church plans. Provides that certain rules aggregating employees do not apply to churches. Restores qualified voluntary employee contributions to church plans. Treats self-employed ministers as employees for purposes of certain welfare benefit plans and retirement income accounts. Allows a deduction for contributions to retirement income accounts by such ministers. Provides that a church plan maintained by more than one employer shall not be treated as a single plan. Provides that accounting methods of deferred compensation plans of State and local governments and tax-exempt organizations do not apply to a church plan. Exempts a church plan from the requirement to maintain separate accounts for medical benefits for key employees. Provides that the special rules for computing employee contributions to pension plans do not apply to certain foreign missionaries. Repeals the elective deferral catch-up limitation for church retirement income accounts. Allows church plans to annuitize benefits and increase benefit payments. Provides that rules for self-insured medical reimbursement plans are not applicable to church plans. Provides that retirement benefits of ministers are not subject to the tax on net earnings from self-employment.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1993
Directs the Secretary of the Army to study and report to the Congress on the adequacy of current flood control measures on the Upper Mississippi River and its tributaries.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1993
Requests the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to publish, within one year, proposed amended regulations that specify the components of an adequate operator training program and that provide that only trained employees be authorized to operate powered industrial trucks.
![Official portrait of Sen. Danforth, John C. [R-MO]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/d000030_200.jpg)