United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1994
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the Attorney General should consider implementing pilot projects to increase the efficiency of the deportation process by assuring alien orientation and representation; and (2) this resolution should not be construed as creating a right of representation at Government expense.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1994
Cooperative Units of Research in Infectious Disease (CURID) Act of 1994 - Requires Infectious Disease Research and Clinical Units of Excellence to be established jointly by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Infectious Diseases of the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Provides that the Units will be dedicated to finding the cause, prevention, and cure of chronic inflammatory diseases of suspected infectious etiology and committed to giving priority to diseases like arthritis and chronic lung disease which hold the most promise for beneficial research results. Requires the establishment of the Units to be based upon past research performance of researchers working on specific microorganisms. Makes the Units responsible for: (1) evaluation of patient specimens for the presence of infectious agents; (2) characterization of the immune response to these infectious agents; and (3) characterization of the genetic background of patients. Sets forth provisions regarding personnel, laboratory support, networking, and the initial period of grant funding. Makes NIAID the lead agency. Apportions responsibility for various aspects of the research program and development of a strategic research plan. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1994
Expresses the sense of the Senate in support of the Schindler Project's efforts to provide high school seniors with the opportunity to view the film "Schindler's List" and discuss its historical implications and the application of those lessons to contemporary society.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1994
Commemorative Coin Moratorium Act of 1994 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) specified congressional committees should not report or clear for consideration any legislation during the 104th Congress that provides for any commemorative coin programs; (2) legislation providing for commemorative coin programs should only be considered by specified congressional committees after taking into account the recommendations of the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee; and (3) the U.S. should recognize the 50th anniversary of the signing of the World War II peace accords on the U.S.S. Missouri by minting and issuing a commemorative coin. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue one-dollar silver coins: (1) emblematic of the signing of the World War II peace accords on September 2, 1945; (2) bearing the likeness of Franklin Delano Roosevelt; and (3) emblematic of the national shrines of liberty showing the Liberty Bell on one side and Independence Hall on the other. Directs the Secretary to issue five-dollar gold coins and one-dollar silver coins emblematic of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Establishes the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Maintenance Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1994
Urges: (1) the Government of the Russian Federation to adhere to the provisions of the agreement initialed on August 10, 1994, to provide for the withdrawal of its military forces from Moldova; and (2) the Administration to continue to use every appropriate opportunity, including multilateral and bilateral diplomacy, to secure removal of such forces.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1994
Gift of Life Congressional Medal Act of 1994 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to design and strike a bronze medal to commemorate organ and tissue donors and their families. Makes eligible for the medal any organ or tissue donor or donor's family. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to arrange for medal presentation to eligible individuals. Declares the medals to be national medals. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to enter into agreements with the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network to solicit donations to offset expenditures relating to medal issuance. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to deposit all solicited donations into the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1994
Base Closure Community Redevelopment Act of 1994 - Amends the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 to direct the Secretary of Defense (Secretary), with respect to the use or transferability of any portion of a military installation closed or to be closed under such Act, to: (1) identify the buildings and property for which the Department of Defense (DOD) or another Federal department or agency has a use or will accept a transfer; (2) identify any property as surplus; (3) submit to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and to the redevelopment authority for such installation information on any property identified as surplus; and (4) publish in the Federal Register and the appropriate local newspaper information on the surplus property. Requires State and local governments, representatives of the homeless, and other parties interested in the surplus property to submit to the redevelopment authority (RA) a notice of interest in such property, with certain time limits. Requires the representative of the homeless to submit with such notice specific information with respect to the proposed homeless assistance program for such property, as well as certain assessments and descriptions. Directs the RA for each installation to prepare a redevelopment plan for such installation which includes legally binding agreements concerning the use of such property to assist the homeless. Requires redevelopment plan approval by the HUD Secretary. Requires an RA, upon completion of a redevelopment plan, to submit to the Secretary and the HUD Secretary an application containing such plan. Requires the Secretaries to complete a review of the plan within 60 days after receipt, including a determination as to whether such plan meets certain requirements with respect to the homeless population in the area, the availability of existing services to meet the needs of the homeless, and the suitability of the surplus property to meet such needs. Allows for the negotiation of plan deficiencies between the RA and the HUD Secretary during such review. Requires appropriate action by the parties concerned if the HUD Secretary determines a redevelopment plan to be inappropriate, including plan revision and resubmission by the RA. Provides for transfer to the representative of the homeless or the RA of surplus property for disposal under an approved redevelopment plan. Authorizes either Secretary to postpone any deadline related to plan consideration and approval in the interest of the communities affected. Provides transition provisions applicable to installations approved for closure before the enactment of this Act. (Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary, in every year in which activities are undertaken relating to the closure or realignment of a military installation under a base closure law, to submit to the President, the Congress, and the chief executive officer of the appropriate State a report on the costs of environmental remediation and compliance activities at such installation. (Sec. 4) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow for the designation of 20 nominated areas as enterprise communities if such areas are affected by the closure or realignment of a military installation under a base closure law. (Sec. 5) Amends the Defense Authorization Amendments and Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act to direct the Secretary, before determining the fair market value of any real property to be transferred, to: (1) notify the RA concerned of the appraisal guidelines and procedures to be used by the Secretary; and (2) incorporate into such guidelines and procedures any recommendations of the RA that the Secretary considers appropriate. Requires determination of the fair market value by a third party chosen jointly by the Secretary and the RA when the estimated difference between the two parties exceeds the greater of 25 percent of the property's value as determined by the RA, or $500,000. Makes identical changes under the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990. (Sec. 6) Amends the Defense Authorization Amendments and Base Closure and Realignment Act to direct the Secretary to determine the amount of reduction in pollution emissions that will result from the cessation of activities at a military installation approved for closure. Allows the Secretary to use such reduction (or allow another person or entity to use such reduction) as a credit for purposes of compliance with air quality requirements under the Clean Air Act. Makes identical changes under the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990. (Sec. 7) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary should consider carrying out through a single entity all environmental restoration, waste management, and environmental compliance activities at a military installation approved for closure or realignment. Authorizes the Secretary to do so if feasible and appropriate. (Sec. 8) Authorizes the Secretary to reimburse in full any person or entity for any economic loss suffered as a result of the release or threatened release of any hazardous substance, pollutant, contaminant, petroleum or petroleum derivative as a result of DOD activities at any military installation closed pursuant to a base closure law. Makes such provision inapplicable to the extent that the person or entity contributed to such release or threatened release. Provides reimbursement conditions. (Sec. 9) Amends the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 to require the appropriate Federal financial supervisory agency to assess a financial institution's record of meeting the credit needs of the community when the institution serves a community affected by the closure or realignment of a military installation under a base closure law.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1994
Ryan White CARE Reauthorization Act of 1994 - Amends the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act of 1990 (title XXVI of the Public Health Service Act) to limit the grant program for emergency relief for areas with substantial need for services to eligible areas with a population of at least 500,000 individuals. Requires an HIV health services planning council (which advises on the distribution of such grants) to be reflective of the demographics of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic in an eligible area, with particular consideration given to disproportionately affected and historically underserved groups. Revises the method of distributing such grants and extends authorized appropriations for them until FY 2000. Revises the care grant program that makes funds available for individuals and families with the HIV disease. Authorizes the award of supplemental grants to eligible entities to enhance community-based care, treatment, and supportive services through the development and operation of consortia and innovative approaches. Extends authorized appropriations for such grant program through FY 2000. Requires the establishment of grievance procedures to address allegations of egregious violations of title XXVI of the Public Health Service Act. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to coordinate the planning and implementation of Federal HIV programs to facilitate the development of a complete continuum of HIV-related services for individuals with HIV disease and those at risk of such disease. Extends authorized appropriations for early intervention services until FY 2000. Extends authorized appropriations until FY 2000 for grants for coordinated services and access to research for children, youth, women, and families (formerly known as demonstration grants for research and services for pediatric patients regarding acquired immune deficiency syndrome). Makes appropriations available for special projects of national significance program to award direct grants to public and nonprofit private entities to fund special programs for the care and treatment of individuals with HIV disease.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1994
Patent Application Publication Act of 1994 - Revises Federal patent law to provide that a person shall not be entitled to a patent if the invention was described in a published patent application by another filed in the United States before the invention thereof by the applicant. Entitles a patent application to claim the benefit of an earlier filing date in a foreign country if a claim therefor and a certified copy of the original foreign application, specification, and drawings upon which it is based are filed in the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) at any such time during the pendency of the application as is required by the Commissioner of Patents. Allows the Commissioner to consider the failure of the applicant to file a timely claim for priority as a waiver of any such claim. Authorizes the Commissioner to determine the time period within which an amendment containing the specific reference to an earlier filed application shall be submitted. Requires each patent application to be published as soon as possible after 18 months from the earliest filing date for which a benefit is sought, except for an application that is no longer pending or one subject to a secrecy order. Permits earlier publication at the applicant's request. Prohibits disclosure of information concerning published applications except as determined by the Commissioner. Directs the Commissioner to recover the cost of early publication by adjusting the filing, issue, and maintenance fees by charging a separate publication fee, or by any combination of such fees. Specifies that a patent shall include the right to obtain a reasonable royalty from any person who, during the period from publication of the application until issue of the patent: (1) makes, uses, or sells in the United States the invention as claimed in the published application or imports such an invention into the United States, or if the invention as claimed in the published application is a process, uses or sells in or imports into the United States products made by that process as claimed in such application; and (2) had actual notice or knowledge of the published patent application. Makes the right to obtain a reasonable royalty unavailable unless the invention claimed in the patent is substantially identical to that claimed in the published application.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1994
Advisory Committee Termination Act of 1994 - Amends specified Federal law to repeal authority for specified advisory committees in the Departments of: (1) Agriculture; (2) Defense; (3) Education; (4) Energy; (5) Health and Human Services; (6) the Interior; (7) Justice; and (8) Transportation.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1994
Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 to extend from three years to five years the period during which Medicare select policies may be issued.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1994
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should issue an Executive order to promote and expand Federal assistance to Indian institutions of higher education and foster advancement of the National Education Goals in the Goals 2000: Educate America Act for Indians.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1994
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) free and fair elections are an essential component of a stable, democratic government in Hong Kong that is free from corruption; (2) the people of Hong Kong should be congratulated for the recent success of the district board elections and for the progress of democratic reforms; and (3) the United States should support the progress of democratic reforms in Hong Kong and encourage all parties to protect these gains as the 1997 transition approaches.
United States · United States Congress · 25 August 1994
Expresses the sense of the Senate that in the immediate future it would be a mistake to raise interest rates further, and that the Secretary of the Senate shall transmit a copy of this resolution to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
United States · United States Congress · 17 August 1994
National Commission on Major League Baseball Act of 1994 - Establishes the National Commission on Major League Baseball to oversee and regulate specified business aspects of major league baseball. Instructs the Commission to report to the Congress on the need for continuing the antitrust exemption for major league baseball and the possible effects resulting from elimination of such exemption. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 August 1994
Amends the Reclamation Development Act of 1974 to eliminate a maximum daily water diversion restriction with respect to the pumping of water from Lake Powell, Arizona.
United States · United States Congress · 15 August 1994
Amends Federal law pertaining to the Federal civil service (Hatch Act) to repeal the prohibition against oral or written recommendations by Members of Congress on behalf of job applicants. Requires such recommendations to: (1) be based on personal knowledge or applicant records; and (2) consist of an evaluation of work performance, ability, aptitude, or general qualifications, as well as of character, loyalty, or suitability.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1994
Amends the Service Members Occupational Conversion and Training Act of 1992 to eliminate the 18-month limit on the period of training (but not the limit on the amount of subsidy). Provides that certain standards for wages and benefits refer to other employees and training programs in the same community during the entire program period of the eligible person. Provides that the amount of the wage subsidy payment to the employer on behalf of the eligible person may not exceed the number of hours equivalent to 18 months of training. Revises provisions relating to entry into the program of job training and the time period for disapproval of assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1994
Sustainable Ecosystems and Economies (SEE) Demonstration Act of 1994 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish and implement in the Forest Service a Sustainable Ecosystems and Economies (SEE) Demonstration Program (Program) to investigate and demonstrate new management strategies to: (1) ensure sustainable ecosystems; and (2) provide technical and economic assistance to forest resource-dependent communities. Directs the Secretary to designate ecosystem management areas. Establishes in the Treasury a Sustainable Ecosystems and Economies Account. Directs the President to submit an annual Program report to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1994
Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Implementation Act of 1994 - Amends the Computer Software Rental Amendments Act of 1990 to repeal the termination date for the prohibition on unauthorized commercial rental or leasing of computer programs (thus making the prohibition permanent). (Sec. 3) Amends the Federal criminal code to establish monetary and imprisonment penalties for persons who, for commercial advantage or private financial gain, and without the consent of the performer or the performer's agent, willfully: (1) fixes the sounds of a live performance in a sound recording; (2) communicates such sounds to the public; or (3) reproduces, distributes, sells, rents, or communicates to the public or possesses such sounds in order to create or fix such performance in a sound recording. Declares that the above prohibition shall take effect and apply to the following acts one year after the entry into force of the World Trade Organization Agreement: (1) performances fixed on and after such date; (2) traffic in articles containing sounds fixed without their performer's authorization; and (3) broadcasts, transmissions or other disseminations of sounds fixed without their performer's authorization on and after such date without regard to the date upon which the article containing such sounds was fixed. (Sec. 4) Applies existing civil remedies for copyright infringement to the above-mentioned prohibited activities. Prohibits the importation, sale, rental, or other distribution of such articles that are manufactured outside of the United States. (Sec. 5) Amends Federal copyright law to replace current provisions regarding copyright in certain motion pictures with new provisions concerning copyright in restored works. Declares that a copyright in a restorable work vests automatically on the date of restoration. Provides that any restorable work shall have copyright protection for the remainder of the term of the copyright protection that it would otherwise have enjoyed in the United States. Declares that a restored work vests initially in the author of the work as determined by the law of the work's source country. Authorizes any person owning a restored copyright or an exclusive right in such work to file a notice of intent with the Copyright Office to enforce that copyright against reliance parties or serve such notice directly. Defines a "reliance party" as a person who, before the enactment of the Intellectual Property Rights General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade Implementation Act of 1994, or with respect to a restorable work having a source country that was not an eligible country until after the effective date of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPs), or before the date of adherence or proclamation: (1) was significantly engaged in acts of reproduction of restorable works; or (2) had, in preparing to do such acts, either acquired a substantial number of copies or phonorecords of a restorable work, or made substantial monetary investments in such works. Sets forth remedies for infringement of copyrights in restored works. Permits the President, whenever a foreign nation extends to U.S. authors restored copyright protection similar to that provided under this Act, to extend restored protection by proclamation to any work: (1) of which one or more of the authors is a national, domiciliary, or sovereign authority of such nation; or (2) which was first published in such nation. (Sec. 6) Amends the Trademark Act of 1946 to consider nonuse of a mark for three (currently, two) consecutive years to be prima facie evidence of abandonment. (Sec. 7) Makes trademarks regarding geographic indications, when first used in connection with wines or spirits after the WTO Agreement's effective date, nonregistrable if the geographic indication is a place other than the origin of the goods. (Sec. 8) Amends Federal patent law to extend U.S. intellectual property protections to inventions made in other countries by persons who are domiciled in a North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) country or WTO member country and who are serving in any other country in connection with operations by or on behalf of the United States, a NAFTA country, or a WTO member country. (Sec. 9) Revises Federal patent law to lengthen a patent term from 17 years to 20 years from the date of filing. Provides that, if the issuance of an original patent is delayed because of a proceeding regarding situations where a patent application would interfere with a pending application or with an unexpired patent, the term of the patent shall be extended for the period of delay up to five years. Deems offering to sell or import a patented invention into the United States to be patent infringement. (Sec. 10) Requires the term of a patent (except patents for designs) that is in force upon the effective date of this section to be the greater of the 20-year term provided or 17 years after the date of the grant. Prescribes requirements for the filing of a provisional application for a patent. Specifies that a provisional application shall not be entitled to the right of priority of any other application or the benefit of an earlier filing date in the United States. Directs the Commissioner of the Patent and Trademark Office to charge a $150 filing fee on each provisional application for an original patent.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1994
Walnut Canyon National Monument Boundary Modification Act of 1994 - Modifies the boundaries of the Walnut Canyon National Monument in Arizona. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire lands and interests in lands within the Monument. Transfers Federal property: (1) within the boundaries of the Monument (as modified by this Act) to the administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior for management as part of the Monument; and (2) excluded from the Monument (pursuant to the boundary modification) to the administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary of Agriculture to be managed as part of the Coconino National Forest. Requires the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service, to manage the Monument as a unit of the National Park Service. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1994
Patent Reexamination Reform Act of 1994 - Amends Federal patent law to expand reexamination request authority to authorize the filing of such requests by any person on the basis of patent specification requirements except for the best mode requirement. (Current law permits reexamination requests only on the basis of prior art.) Establishes procedures for reexamination proceedings based upon third-party (persons who are not the patent owner) requests. Requires documents filed in such proceedings, other than the request, to be served on all parties. Authorizes third-party requesters to file written comments within a reasonable period if the patent owner files a response to any Patent and Trademark Office action on the merits of reexamination. Grants third-party requesters the right to appeal final reexamination decisions on the same basis such right is available to patent owners. Estops a third-party requester who files a notice of appeal or who participates as a party to an appeal from later asserting the invalidity of any claim determined to be patentable on appeal on any ground which was or could have been raised during reexamination. Bars patent owners and third-party requesters, once an order for reexamination has been issued, from filing a subsequent reexamination request until a reexamination certificate is published. Prohibits a party, once a final decision has been entered in a civil action that the party has not sustained the burden of proving the invalidity of a patent claim, from requesting reexamination on issues that were or could have been raised in the civil action. Requires the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences to review adverse decisions of examiners in reexamination proceedings and authorizes appeals to the Board by patent owners and third-party requesters with respect to reexamination decisions. Permits appeals of Board decisions to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1994
Defines the term "disease," for purposes of determining the relationship between undiagnosed illness and disease for purposes of entitlement to veterans' disability compensation, as any deviation from or interruption of the normal structure or function of any part, organ, or system of the body that is manifested by a symptom or sign the etiology, pathology, and prognosis for which is known or unknown. Requires due consideration to be given to the common or shared experiences, medical symptoms, or signs of other veterans who were engaged in similar service and who exhibit similar medical symptoms or signs.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1994
Veterans Law Judge Act of 1994 - Redesignates the Chairman and other members of the Board of Veterans Appeals (other than temporary members) as veterans law judges. Classifies the pay rate for veterans law judges as that of administrative law judges. Authorizes the Chairman of the Board or other Board members to continue to serve in such positions, upon approval of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, after the expiration of their terms. Requires the Secretary to notify Board members at least 120 days in advance of a decision not to recommend such member for appointment to an additional term. Allows the opportunity for a hearing on such decision. Allows the President to disapprove the appointment of a Board member to an additional term. Provides for reversion to the civil grades and series held by Board members prior to their appointment upon the expiration of their terms of appointment. Directs the Secretary to prescribe criteria for Board member reappointment. Allows current Board members in the Senior Executive Service to continue to be paid at that rate.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1994
Old San Francisco Mint Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue one-dollar silver coins and half-dollar clad coins emblematic of the Old San Francisco Mint, its role in the coinage of gold, and the educational mission of the Old San Francisco Mint Museum. Instructs the Secretary to distribute all surcharges received from coin sales to Friends of the Mint for its refurbishing and maintenance.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Retirement Savings Incentives Subtitle A: Restoration of IRA Deduction Subtitle B: Nondeductible Tax-Free IRAs Title II: Penalty-Free Distributions Title III: Aid to Families With Dependent Children Savings and Investment Incentive Act of 1994 - Title I: Retirement Savings Incentives - Subtitle A: Restoration of IRA Deduction - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to remove the limitation on the deductibility of contributions to individual retirement plans (IRAs) by active participants in employer-maintained plans, thereby restoring the IRA deduction. Provides an inflation adjustment after 1995. Allows certain spouses a full deduction for contributions to an IRA. Makes certain coins and bullion ineligible as collectible investments for purposes of distributions from an IRA. Subtitle B: Nondeductible Tax-Free IRAs - Allows individuals to establish individual retirement plus (IRA plus) accounts with tax treatment similar to that for individual retirement plans. Makes contributions to such accounts nondeductible. Title II: Penalty-Free Distributions - Allows distributions from certain retirement plans without penalty to purchase first homes, pay higher education expenses and financially devastating medical expenses, and assist certain unemployed individuals. Title III: Aid to Families with Dependent Children - Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) of title IV of the Social Security Act to exclude from AFDC eligibility determinations certain income and resources that are to be used for education, training, and employability purposes. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report to the Congress on a revision of the AFDC limit on automobiles in order to increase the employability of AFDC recipients.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 1994
Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Research, Education, and Assistance Act of 1994 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institutes of Health to establish a council to coordinate Parkinson's research activities. Directs: (1) the council to convene a National Consensus Conference on Parkinson's Disease and Related Neuro-degenerative Disorders to aid in the development of a broad-based strategy for identifying the cause of and treating such disorders; and (2) the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and annually submit to specified congressional committees a coordinated research agenda and to provide for the establishment of ten Parkinson's Research Centers. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) award feasibility study grants to support the development of preliminary data sufficient to provide the basis for the submission of applications for independent research support grants or establishment of a Center; and (2) award grants to appropriate institutions for the provision of training and continuing education concerning health and long-term care of individuals with Parkinson's. Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) a grant program to support scientists who have distinguished themselves in the field of Parkinson's research; (2) a registry for screening and collecting patient and family data that may be useful in determining incidence and possible risk factors concerning Parkinson's; and (3) a national education program designed to foster a national focus on Parkinson's and the care of those with Parkinson's. Sets forth application requirements. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1994
Honors the 14 Federal fire fighters who died on July 6, 1994, for their heroic efforts to contain a fire on Storm King Mountain near Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1994
Directs the Comptroller General to apply a six-year statute of limitations to certain claims filed by Federal employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1994
Patent Prior User Rights Act of 1994 - Provides that a person shall not be liable as a patent infringer with respect to any matter claimed in the patent that such person had, acting in good faith, commercially used in the United States or made effective and serious preparation therefor in the United States before the critical date. Provides that rights based on prior use extend only to the claimed invention that the person claiming rights was in possession of prior to the critical date. Includes within rights based on prior use the right to make and use variations or improvements. Prohibits variations or improvements from infringing additional claims of the patent. Provides that rights based on prior use are personal and may not be licensed, assigned, or transferred to another except in connection with the assignment or transfer of the entire business or enterprise to which the rights relate. Bars claims of rights based on prior use if the activity under which the person claims the rights was: (1) based on information derived from the patentee; or (2) abandoned on or after the critical date, except that for abandonment occurring after the critical date, rights based on prior use may be used as a defense to infringement for that period of activity which occurred prior to abandonment if such activity would otherwise have been allowed. Provides that the burden of proof for establishing the defense shall be on the person claiming rights based on prior use.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1994
Amends Federal transportation law to provide that the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), in approving an application of a rail carrier for the construction and operation of railroad lines, shall require that a fair and equitable arrangement for the protection of the affected railroad employees' interests be no less protective of and beneficial to their interests than those established under other specified Federal provisions. Prohibits the ICC from approving the sale or the offer of financial assistance to a rail carrier to avoid the abandonment and discontinuance of railroad line transportation unless it certifies that such employees' interests will be protected.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1994
United States-China Act of 1994 - Declares that if nondiscriminatory treatment (most-favored-nation treatment) is not granted to China by reason of the enactment of a congressional disapproval resolution, such treatment shall continue to apply to goods that are produced by a person that is not a state-owned Chinese enterprise, but not apply to any goods that are produced by a state-owned Chinese enterprise. Provides that if nondiscriminatory treatment is granted to China for a 12-month period on July 3, 1994, such treatment shall not apply to: (1) any good that is produced by the People's Liberation Army or Chinese defense industrial trading company; or (2) any nonqualified good that is produced by a state-owned Chinese enterprise. Urges the Secretary of the Treasury to consult with American businesses that have significant trade with or investment in China, to encourage them to adopt a voluntary code of conduct that: (1) follows internationally recognized human rights principles; (2) ensures the employment of Chinese citizens is not discriminatory in terms of sex, ethnic origin, or political belief; (3) ensures that no convict, forced, or indentured labor is knowingly used; (4) recognizes the rights of workers to freely organize and bargain collectively; and (5) discourages mandatory political indoctrination on business premises. Requires the Secretary to determine, and publish in the Federal Register, which persons are state-owned Chinese enterprises and Chinese defense industrial trading companies. Authorizes the President to waive any condition or prohibition imposed under this Act if he determines and reports to the Congress that its continued imposition would have a serious adverse effect on the vital U.S. national security. Declares that if the President recommends in 1995 that the waiver of human rights and emigration requirements for nondiscriminatory treatment for China be continued, he shall state in a specified report to the Congress the extent to which China has made progress with respect to: (1) adhering to the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; (2) ceasing the exportation to the United States of products made with convict, forced, or indentured labor; (3) ceasing unfair and discriminatory trade practices which restrict and unreasonably burden American businesses; and (4) adhering to the guidelines of the Missile Technology Control Regime and the controls adopted by the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the Australia Group.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1994
Urges the: (1) Administration to submit legislation to the Congress which authorizes Federal law enforcement officers to be excused from duty without loss of reduction in pay, leave, or credit for service to attend the funeral of a fellow Federal law enforcement officer who was killed in the line of duty; and (2) Attorney General to permit DEA personnel to attend the funeral of agent Richard Fass.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1994
Establishes a commission on the roles and capabilities of the United States intelligence community. Requires the Commission to: (1) review the efficacy and appropriateness of U.S. intelligence activities in the post-Cold War global environment; and (2) issue a report containing recommendations with respect to U.S. intelligence roles and capabilities for the foreseeable future.
![Official portrait of Sen. DeConcini, Dennis [D-AZ]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/d000185_200.jpg)