United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1996
Women's Business Training Centers Act of 1996 - Amends the Small Business Act to: (1) authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to provide financial assistance to private organizations to conduct five-year (currently, three-year) demonstration projects to benefit small businesses owned and controlled by women; (2) adjust the level of cash contributions required from Federal and non-Federal sources for each of the five years of the projects; (3) require each assistance applicant to submit a five-year (currently, three year) plan on proposed fund raising and training activities under a project; (4) allow each recipient to receive such assistance for five years (in lieu of three); and (5) increase the annual authorization of appropriations for such projects.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Reform of Existing Programs Title II: Incentive Grants for Accountability-Based Reforms Title III: General Provisions Juvenile Justice Modernization Act of 1996 - Title I: Reform of Existing Programs - Revises Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974: (1) findings to specify that juvenile delinquency requires action by Federal, State, and local governments (currently, the Federal Government); and (2) purposes to include assisting State and local governments in promoting public safety by improving the openness of the juvenile justice system, encouraging the identification of violent and hard-core juveniles and transferring them into adult criminal court jurisdiction, and providing resources to States to build or expand juvenile detention facilities. (Sec. 103) Replaces the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention with an Office of Youth Violence Reduction (the Office), headed by an Administrator. Eliminates presidential appointment of the Administrator. Renames the Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention as the Coordinating Council on Youth Violence Reduction. (Sec. 104) Requires the Administrator to submit to the President, specified congressional leaders, and the Governor of each State a report containing: (1) a detailed summary and analysis of the most recent data available regarding the rate at which juveniles are taken into custody, the numbers of juveniles taken into custody, repeat offenders, juveniles using weapons, and juvenile and adult victims, and trends; (2) descriptions of activities funded, State compliance with State plan requirements of the Act, and exemplary programs and practices; and (3) a summary of specified programs and activities for which assistance is provided, an evaluation of each such program and activity, and a determination of the feasibility and advisability of replacing such program and activity in other locations. (Sec. 105) Authorizes: (1) specified initiatives, including improving juvenile court and law enforcement records (including fingerprints and photographs) and education programs such as funding for extended hours for libraries and recreational programs which benefit all juveniles; and (2) the Administrator to use specified funds to establish and maintain a clearinghouse to disseminate to the States information on juvenile delinquency prevention, treatment, and control and to provide training and technical assistance to improve State juvenile justice system administration. (Sec. 106) Revises the formula for the allocation of funds. (Sec. 107) Requires State plans to provide assurances that in each secure facility located in the State, there is no commingling in the same cell or community room of, or any other regular cell contact between, any juvenile and any adult detained or confined for any period of time in that facility. Repeals various mandates for State plans (as conditions of receiving Federal funds), including requirements regarding: (1) juvenile justice advisory groups; (2) analysis of juvenile crime problems and juvenile justice and delinquency prevention needs; (3) assurances involving approaches designed to strengthen the families of delinquent and other youth; and (4) arrangements to protect the interests of employees affected by the Act. (Sec. 108) Repeals various Act programs, including provisions regarding the National Institute for Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, special emphasis prevention and treatment programs, State challenge activities, treatment for juvenile offenders who are victims of child abuse or neglect, mentoring, boot camps, and the White House Conference on Juvenile Justice. Title II: Incentive Grants for Accountability-Based Reforms - Amends the Act to direct the Administrator to provide juvenile delinquent accountability grants to States that have: (1) policies and programs that ensure that juveniles who commit an act after attaining age 14 that would be a serious violent crime if committed by an adult are treated as adults for prosecution purposes; (2) graduated sanctions for juvenile offenders; and (3) a specified system of records relating to juveniles under age 15 who are adjudicated delinquent for conduct that if committed by an adult would constitute a serious violent crime. Makes such States eligible for additional sums upon demonstrating compliance with specified "accountability-based youth violence reduction practices," such as mandatory victim restitution, public access to juvenile court proceedings, and zero tolerance for truancy and for deadbeat juvenile parents. Title III: General Provisions - Modifies the Act to authorize appropriations through FY 2001 for the Office, for block grants for State and local programs, and for incentive grants for accountability-based reforms. Specifies that the source of such appropriations may be the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1996
Mental Health Parity Act of 1996 - Requires a group health plan that applies an aggregate lifetime (or annual) limit for medical or surgical services, if the plan also provides a mental health benefit, to include mental health payments in that limit or establish a separate aggregate lifetime (or annual) limit for mental health services, with the mental health limit not less than the medical or surgical limit. Prohibits a group health plan that does not apply a medical or surgical limit from applying a mental health limit. Exempts employers with fewer than 26 employees.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1996
Conveys to the Carlsbad Irrigation District specified real property within the Carlsbad Project in New Mexico. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) provide a written identification of all mineral and grazing leases in effect on such lands; and (2) notify all such leaseholders of the conveyance made by this Act. Requires receipts paid into the reclamation fund as credits to the Carlsbad Project to be made available to the District for Project purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1996
Commends Operation Sail and encourages its continuation into the next millennium. Encourages all individuals to join in the celebration of the 224th birthday of the United States of America and the international camaraderie that Operation Sail and the International Naval Review will foster.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Department of Defense-Civil Title II: Department of the Interior Title III: Department of Energy Title IV: Independent Agencies Title V: General Provisions Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 1997 - Title I: Department of Defense-Civil - Makes appropriations to the Department of the Army and its Corps of Engineers for FY 1997 for: (1) authorized civil functions of the Department of the Army relating to rivers and harbors, flood control, beach erosion, and related purposes; (2) expenses necessary for the collection and study of information related to such purposes; (3) the prosecution of authorized water development and related projects; (4) certain flood control projects on the Mississippi River and its tributaries; (5) water development projects operation and maintenance; (6) regulatory programs; (7) flood control and coastal emergencies; and (8) general expenses. (Sec. 101) Requires that certain projects for Arkansas City, Kansas, the Elk Creek Dam, Oregon, Moorefield, West Virginia, and Grays Landing Lock and Dam, Monongahela River, Pennsylvania, be modified in specified ways. (Sec. 105) Requires that certain flood control measures provide protection at specified levels. (Sec. 108) Directs the Corps of Engineers to complete the Charleston Riverfront (Haddad) Park Project, West Virginia, sharing costs equally with the City of Charleston. Title II: Department of the Interior - Makes FY 1997 appropriations to the Department of the Interior for: (1) the Central Utah Project; (2) the Bureau of Reclamation; (3) general investigation of proposed Federal reclamation projects; (4) project construction and rehabilitation; (5) project operation and maintenance; (6) Bureau of Reclamation Loan Program Account; (7) the Central Valley Project Restoration Fund; and (8) general administrative expenses and special funds. Title III: Department of Energy - Makes appropriations to the Department of Energy (DOE) for FY 1997 for: (1) energy supply, research, and development activities; (2) uranium supply and enrichment activities; (3) the Uranium Enrichment Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund; (4) general DOE science and research activities; (5) the Nuclear Waste Disposal Fund; (6) atomic energy defense weapons activities; (7) defense environmental restoration and waste management; (8) other DOE defense activities; (9) defense nuclear waste disposal; (10) DOE administration expenses; (11) Office of the Inspector General; (12) the various geographical power marketing administrations of DOE (including specified costs for the hydroelectric facilities at the Falcon and Amistad Dams); and (13) the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Title IV: Independent Agencies - Makes appropriations for FY 1997 for: (1) the Appalachian Regional Commission; (2) the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board; (3) the Delaware River Basin Commission; (4) the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin; (5) the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC); (6) the NRC Office of the Inspector General; (7) the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board; (8) the Susquehanna River Basin Commission; and (9) the Tennessee Valley Authority. Title V: General Provisions - Declares the sense of the Congress that all equipment and products bought with funds under this Act should be American-made. Requires each Federal agency to give notice of this policy to any entity to which it provides financial assistance or contracts. (Sec. 502) Directs the Secretary of the Interior to extend for one year beyond their current expiration dates the construction repayment and water service contracts for the following Missouri River Basin projects, which are components of the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program: (1) the Bostwick District (Kansas portion), in Republic County, Jewell County, and Cloud County, Kansas; (2) the Bostwick District (Nebraska portion), in Harlan County, Franklin County, Webster County, and Nuckolls County, Nebraska; and (3) the Frenchman-Cambridge District, in Chase County, Frontier County, Hitchcock County, Furnas County, and Harlan County, Nebraska. (Sec. 504) Amends the Northwest Power Planning and Conservation Act to direct the Northwest Power Planning Council to appoint an Independent Scientific Review Panel to review projects proposed to be funded through that portion of the Bonneville Power Administration's annual fish and wildlife budget that implements the Council's annual fish and wildlife program.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1996
Indian Child Welfare Act Amendments of 1996 - Amends the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 to provide for retention by an Indian tribe of exclusive jurisdiction over child custody proceedings involving specified Indian children. Revises requirements, with respect to Indian children, regarding: (1) the voluntary termination of parental rights; and (2) the withdrawal of a consent to such voluntary termination or to adoption. Requires a party seeking the voluntary placement of an Indian child or the voluntary termination of parental rights to provide written notice to the Indian child's tribe. Sets forth the requirements for such a written notice. Permits an Indian tribe to intervene only if a child's tribe has filed a written objection, but permits the child's Indian tribe to intervene in any case in which the Indian tribe did not receive a written notice. Provides criminal sanctions for fraudulent representation with respect to any proceeding involving an Indian child.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Agriculture and Related Provisions Subtitle A: Food Stamps and Commodity Distribution Subtitle B: Child Nutrition Programs Title II: Committee on Finance Subtitle A: Welfare Reform Subtitle B: Restructuring Medicaid Personal Responsibility, Work Opportunity, and Medicaide Restructuring Act of 1996 - Title I: Agriculture and Related Provisions - Agricultural Reconciliation Act of 1996 - Subtitle A: Food Stamps and Commodity Disposition - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (Act) to establish a maximum 24-month food stamp program (program) authorization period for households whose adult members are elderly or disabled. (Sec. 1112) Expands the definition of "coupon." (Sec. 1113) Treats children who are themselves parents living with their children and married children living with their spouses as part of an existing household rather than as a separate household. (Sec. 1114) Revises thrifty food plan adjustment requirements. (Sec. 1115) Revises the definition of "homeless individual" to limit the length of time a person may temporarily live in another person's residence. (Sec. 1117) Revises household income exclusion provisions regarding: (1) students; and (2) Federal energy assistance. (Sec. 1119) Revises household income deduction provisions regarding: (1) standard deductions; (2) earned income; (3) dependent care; (4) child support payments; (5) homeless shelter assistance; (6) excess medical expenses; and (7) excess shelter expenses. (Sec. 1120) Eliminates specified excludable auto value increases and establishes the maximum excludable auto value at $4600. (Sec. 1121) Includes as household income third party payments for transitional housing for the homeless. (Sec. 1122) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) to develop a simplified procedure for calculating self-employment income. (Sec. 1123) Increases penalties for certain program violations. (Sec. 1124) Disqualifies permanently an individual convicted of specified coupon violations. (Sec. 1125) Revises work requirement and employment and training provisions. Extends employment and training funding authorizations. (Sec. 1129) Authorizes comparable program disqualification based upon means-tested public assistance disqualification. (Sec. 1130) Disqualifies for ten years an individual who participates in the program in two or more States. (Sec. 1131) Disqualifies a fleeing felon from program participation. (Sec. 1132) Requires at State option: (1) cooperation with child support agencies in order to maintain program eligibility; and (2) program disqualification for child support arrears. (Sec. 1134) Defines "work program." Makes nonexempt persons ineligible for program benefits if during the preceding 12-month period they received food stamps for four months or more without working at least 20 hours per week, or participating in a workfare program. Sets forth exempted persons and situations. (Sec. 1135) Directs States to implement electronic benefit transfer systems. (Sec. 1136) Eliminates annual minimum allotment adjustments. (Sec. 1138) Authorizes a combined allotment for expedited households. (Sec. 1139) Authorizes program reductions for failure to comply with a means-tested public assistance reduction requirement. (Sec. 1140) Authorizes program assistance for households residing in a homeless shelter or drug or alcohol treatment center. (Sec. 1141) Provides that no food store or wholesale food concern be approved for program participation without a prior visit by a Department of Agriculture employee, or a designated State or local official. (Sec. 1142) Directs the Secretary to establish authorization periods for retail food stores and wholesale food concerns to redeem food stamps or benefits through an electronic benefit transfer system. (Sec. 1143) Includes income and sales tax information among the types of eligibility verification information that may be requested. (Sec. 1144) Establishes a six-month reapplication waiting period for a store that does not meet participation requirements. (Sec. 1145) Revises: (1) food stamp office operating provisions; and (2) expedited coupon service requirements. (Sec. 1146) Eliminates certain certification personnel training requirements. (Sec. 1147) Provides for the exchange of information with law enforcement or Immigration and Naturalization Service personnel. (Sec. 1149) Authorizes a family to withdraw a fair hearing request. (Sec. 1150) Permits States to use income, and immigration eligibility verification systems other than a specified system under the Social Security Act. (Sec. 1151) Provides for disqualification of a store: (1) that knowingly submits a falsified application; and (2) that is disqualified from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). (Sec. 1153) Directs program overissuances to be collected by: (1) allotment reduction; (2) unemployment compensation withholding; or (3) Federal pay or Federal income tax refund recovery. (Sec. 1154) Authorizes suspension of a store pending administrative and judicial review. (States that the Secretary shall not be liable for lost sales during such period.) (Sec. 1155) Establishes criminal forfeiture penalties for specified program violations. (Sec. 1156) Terminates Federal matching requirements for program recruitment activities. (Sec. 1158) Authorizes States to use funds otherwise available to a participating household for a work supplementation or support program. Sets forth program provisions. (Sec. 1159) Authorizes waiver of program requirements as necessary to conduct related pilot projects. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1161) Authorizes States to carry out private sector employment initiatives. Sets forth program provisions. (Sec. 1162) Authorizes appropriations for program operations. (Sec. 1163) Authorizes States to carry out a Simplified Food Stamp Program in lieu of existing program requirements. Sets forth program provisions. (Sec. 1164) Establishes an optional State food assistance block grant program in lieu of the food stamp program. Sets forth program provisions. Chapter 2: Commodity Distribution Programs - Amends the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to combine the emergency food assistance program with the soup kitchen-food bank program. Amends the Act to direct the Secretary to purchase commodities for such combined programs. (Sec. 1172) Amends the Charitable Assistance and Food Bank Act of 1987 to repeal the food bank demonstration project. (Sec. 1173) Makes conforming and technical amendments to the Hunger Prevention Act of 1988 and the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990. Subtitle B: Child Nutrition Programs - Amends the National School Lunch Act (NSLA) to repeal specified authorities and requirements for the school lunch and related programs, including: (1) State educational authority to use resources from the nutrition and education (NET) program; (2) prohibition of State imposition of teaching personnel and curriculum requirements at any school; (3) certain demonstration grants to private nonprofit organizations or educational institutions for elementary school curriculum food and nutrition projects; (4) aspects of summer food service programs, reducing payment rates and daily meals at camps, reducing the National Youth Sports Program, and revising nutritional standards compliance requirements; (5) certain commodity distribution program requirements, including State Advisory Councils; (6) expansion of the child care food program; (7) adult care food aid to adult day care centers and services for persons over 60; and (8) certain pilot projects, including one for paperwork reduction. (Sec. 1201) Includes in the definition of child any individual with one or more mental or physical disabilities, regardless of age, who attends a specified type of institution, or any nonresidential public or nonprofit private school of high school grade or under, in order to participate in a school program for such individuals. (Sec. 1202) Revises nutritional requirements. (Sec. 1205) Prohibits, in general, any waiver that will increase Federal costs. Requires that assistance or benefits under programs under the following Federal laws (relating to school meals and other nutrition programs) not be contingent on the citizenship or immigration status of any applicant or recipient: (1) the NSLA; (2) the Child Nutrition Act of 1966; (3) specified provisions of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973; (4) the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983; and (5) the food distribution program on Indian reservations established under specified provisions of Federal law. Chapter 2: Amendments to the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 - Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (CNA) to revise the school breakfast program: (1) eliminating Federal assistance for food preparation training and program expansion and start-up costs; (2) repealing certain authorities and requirements relating to State administrative expenses (SAE); (3) repealing the prohibition against State imposition of teaching personnel and curriculum requirements at any school; and (4) repealing the program of cash grants for nutrition education. (Sec. 1259) Revises the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC), among other things repealing specified requirements and changing from mandatory to optional: (1) drug abuse education; and (2) provision of WIC information in languages other than English. (Sec. 1261) Revises provisions relating to the Nutrition and Education program. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1262) Sets forth rounding rules for specified rates for special milk price and reduced price breakfast programs under CNA, and for commodity and lunch, breakfast, and supplement programs under NSLA. Title II: Committee on Finance - Subtitle A: Welfare Reform - Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that prevention of out-of-wedlock pregnancy and reduction in out-of-wedlock births are important Government interests. (Sec. 2103) Replaces the current Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) with a single program of block grants to the States for operating statewide temporary assistance (TEA) programs with certain mandatory work, education, and job preparation requirements for needy families either already with or expecting a child, which are designed to assist such families in becoming self-sufficient. Limits such families generally to no more than five years of TEA cash assistance, with certain exceptions for minor children, battered family members, and hardship situations. Requires that families include either a minor child who resides with a custodial parent or other adult caretaker relative, or a pregnant individual, in order to receive TEA assistance. Prohibits additional cash TEA assistance for children born into families already on TEA assistance, with certain exceptions for children born into families with no other children, and for children born as a result of rape or incest, unless the particular State exempts itself from such prohibition. Denies TEA assistance in cases where an individual family member is a fugitive felon or a probation or parole violator, and in certain other specified situations as well. Requires States receiving TEA grants to ensure that certain other families becoming TEA-ineligible due to increased earnings from employment or collection of child support receive similar medical assistance during the immediately succeeding 12-month period, with certain exceptions. Requires, in addition, certain adult-supervised living arrangements for unmarried teenage parents. Provides for the exchange of certain TEA program information with law enforcement agencies under specified conditions. Establishes penalties for States and individual families for specified grant and program violations, respectively, through reduced grants and assistance payments, allowing States to terminate such payments to certain adult family members without small children needing child care who refuse to: (1) engage in work, educational, or job preparation activities (required program activities); or (2) cooperate with the State in establishing paternity or obtaining child support unless the member qualifies for a good cause or other exception. Provides for a separate reduction in State family assistance grant payments for States failing to comply with Federal requirements pertaining to paternity establishment and child support enforcement. Sets forth the mechanism for State appeal of Federal adverse decisions with respect to State plans or imposition of penalties, providing for advance notification of any program violation and the opportunity for a State to correct it before any such penalty is imposed. Limits the amount of any penalty reduction in the State's quarterly family assistance grant payment. Expresses the sense of the Congress that State TEA programs should: (1) assign the highest priority to requiring adults in two-parent families and in single-parent families with older preschool or school-age children to be engaged in required program activities; and (2) require noncustodial, nonsupporting parents under age 18 to fulfill community work obligations and attend appropriate parenting or money management classes after school. Specifies State TEA plan contents, including provisions for numerical goals for reducing illegitimacy in the State over a specified ten-year period beginning in 1996, and certain certifications by the State that it will operate child support enforcement and protection programs, in order for it to be eligible (according to certain other criteria as well) to receive Federal grants for its TEA programs (family assistance grants). Allows the States to decide in their TEA plans: (1) whether or not they intend on providing TEA assistance to aliens; and (2) how to treat families moving interstate. Provides for: (1) the allowable uses of quarterly family assistance grants for family planning services and assistance to low- income households in meeting home heating and cooling costs, but denies their use for medical services generally; (2) additional grants to States as rewards for reductions in illegitimate births and for high performance under the TEA program, as well as supplemental grants to certain States for population increases; and (3) a Contingency Fund for State Welfare Programs (Contingency Fund) in the Treasury for payments to certain eligible States. Makes appropriations for such grants and the Contingency Fund. Sets up a Federal loan program for State TEA programs for anti-fraud and other specified activities, making necessary appropriations. Outlines specific program data collection and reporting requirements, as well as certain research, evaluation, and study requirements. Makes applicable appropriations. Provides for direct funding, by way of three-year tribal family assistance grants, to Indian tribes with approved tribal family assistance plans (with a special rule for Indian tribes in Alaska). Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to implement and evaluate demonstrations of innovative and promising strategies which: (1) provide one-time capital funds to establish, expand, or replicate programs; (2) test performance-based grant-to- loan financing in which programs meeting performance targets receive grants while programs not meeting such targets repay funding on a prorated basis; and (3) test strategies in multiple States and types of communities. Directs the Bureau of the Census to expand the Survey of Income and Program Participation to obtain information that will enable interested persons to evaluate the impact of the changes made by this title on a random national sample of State program recipients. Provides for the treatment of State AFDC waivers in effect on the date of enactment of this Act and of those granted subsequently. Makes the Assistant Secretary of HHS for Family Support the official responsible for administering SSA title IV parts A and D programs, and requires the Secretary to reduce, through reductions in force if necessary, the Federal workforce within HHS by a specified amount. Eliminates certain child care programs under SSA title IV part A, including the at-risk child care program. (Sec. 2104) Allows States to contract with charitable, religious, and private organizations to provide services and administer programs established or modified under titles I, II, and VI of this Act. Prohibits the expenditure of financial assistance under such programs for sectarian worship, instruction, or proselytization. (Sec. 2105) Directs the Secretary of Commerce to expand census data collection efforts to enable the Bureau of the Census to collect statistically significant data on grandparent caregivers. (Sec. 2106) Requires an HHS report to the Congress on State automated data processing systems used in administering SSA title IV part A programs to determine what would be required to establish a system for tracking public program participants and checking case records to determine if such participants are participating in public programs of two or more States. (Sec. 2107) Details requirements for a similar report, and study, on alternative outcomes measures for evaluating the success of the States in moving individuals off welfare through employment. (Sec. 2108) Establishes the Welfare Formula Fairness Commission to study and report to the Congress on the funding formulas applied, the bonus payments provided, and the work requirements established, under the TEA program. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 2109) Makes conforming amendments to SSA, the Food Stamp Act of 1977, and related provisions of other specified Federal laws. (Sec. 2112) Directs the Commissioner of Social Security (Commissioner) to: (1) develop a prototype counterfeit-resistant social security card; and (2) study and issue a report to the Congress with regard to improving the social security card application process. (Sec. 2113) Requires any organization accepting Federal funds under this subtitle to disclose that fact in any communication it makes that in any way intends to promote public support or opposition to any Federal, State, or local government policy through any broadcasting station, periodical, or other specified type of general public advertising. Makes any organization failing to make such a disclosure ineligible to receive Federal funds under this Act. (Sec. 2114) Amends the Family Support Act of 1988 to remove the "demonstration" status of the Job Opportunities for Certain Low-Income Individuals (JOLI) program and give it an increased annual authorization for any fiscal year. (Sec. 2201) Amends SSA title XVI to deny Supplemental Security Income for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (SSI) for ten years to individuals found to have fraudulently misrepresented residence in order to obtain benefits simultaneously in two or more States. Denies SSI for fugitive felons and probation and parole violators. Provides for the exchange of certain SSI information with law enforcement agencies under specified conditions. (Sec. 2203) Revises the treatment afforded prisoners with regard to SSI benefits to deny SSI benefits for ten years to a person found to have fraudulently obtained SSI benefits while in prison. Authorizes the Commissioner to: (1) contract with any interested State or local institutions used to confine prisoners for monthly reports of certain identifying information in order to enforce SSI and Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) benefit limitations; and (2) pay such institution a specified fee with regard to each SSI- or OASDI-eligible inmate identified who becomes ineligible for such benefit as a result of such reporting. Requires the Commissioner to study and report to the Congress on other specified potential improvements in the collection of information respecting public inmates. (Sec. 2204) Makes certain changes respecting the effective date of applications for SSI benefits. (Sec. 2211) Revises the rules with respect to childhood eligibility, with corresponding changes to childhood SSI regulations modifying the medical criteria for evaluation of mental and emotional disorders, and discontinuing the use of individualized functional assessments for children. Modifies medical improvement review standards, specifically dividing their applicability to, and creating separate criteria for, individuals aged 18 or older, and individuals under age 18, respectively. Requires the Commissioner annually to issue a request for comments in the Federal Register regarding improvements to the disability evaluation and determination procedures for individuals under age 18 to ensure their comprehensive assessment. Provides that once an eligible child meets the definition of disability, the amount of the individual's cash benefit will be based on whether or not the child meets criteria for needing personal assistance enabling the child to stay at home with his or her family. Authorizes additional appropriations for continuing disability reviews and redeterminations under SSA title XVI. (Sec. 2212) Provides that at least once every three years the Commissioner shall review the continued SSI eligibility of each individual who has not attained age 18 and is eligible for such benefits by reason of an impairment (or combination of impairments) which is likely to improve (or, at the Commissioner's option, is unlikely to improve). Requires a representative payee of a recipient whose case is so reviewed to present, at the time of review, evidence that the recipient is, and has been, receiving treatment, to the extent considered medically necessary and available, for the condition which was the basis for providing SSI benefits. Provides that, if the representative payee refuses without good cause to comply with such requirement, the Commissioner shall (if in the individual's best interest) promptly suspend payment of benefits to the representative payee, and provide for their payment to an alternative representative payee, or, if the interest of the individual would be served thereby, to the individual. Provides that, if an individual is eligible for SSI benefits by reason of disability for the month preceding the month in which the individual attains age 18, the Commissioner shall redetermine such eligibility: (1) during the one-year period beginning on the individual's 18th birthday; and (2) by applying the criteria used to determine the initial eligibility of applicants who have attained age 18. Specifies requirements governing continuing disability reviews for low-birth-weight babies. (Sec. 2213) Requires representative payees of eligible individuals under age 18 to establish financial institution accounts on their behalf into which SSI payments shall be paid. Allows representative payees to use account funds to pay for certain allowable expenses. Directs the Commissioner to establish a system for accountability monitoring whereby a representative payee shall report on activities involving account funds. (Sec. 2214) Reduces cash SSI payments to institutionalized children whose medical costs are covered by private insurance. (Sec. 2221) Provides for installment payment of large amounts of past-due SSI benefits. (Sec. 2225) Repeals maintenance of effort requirements applicable to optional State programs for supplementation of SSI benefits. (Sec. 2231) Requires the Commissioner to report annually to the President and the Congress on the SSI program. (Sec. 2232) Outlines the requirements for a study and report by the General Accounting Office on the impact of these amendments on the SSI program and on the extra expenses incurred by families of children receiving SSI benefits that are not covered by other Federal, State, or local programs. (Sec. 2301) Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of SSA title IV to require State plans for child and spousal support to provide: (1) certain services relating to paternity establishment or enforcement of child support obligations; and (2) continuation of services for families ceasing to receive TEA assistance. (Sec. 2302) Revises payment distribution guidelines for support obligations collected by the State on behalf of a family. (Sec. 2303) Requires State plans to establish procedural guidelines for: (1) privacy safeguards for paternity and child support actions; and (2) notification to services applicants or recipients of all proceedings and orders affecting child support obligations. (Sec. 2311) Mandates that single statewide automated data systems include a State case registry containing records of: (1) each case in which services are provided by the State agency; and (2) each support order established on or after a specified date. Permits the linking of local registries. (Sec. 2312) Requires State plans to include a centralized, automated unit for the collection and disbursement of support payments. Permits the unit to be established by linking local disbursement units through an automated information network if the Secretary agrees that it will not cost more or take more time to establish or operate than a centralized system. (Sec. 2313) Requires State plans to: (1) provide for a State-operated and automated State Directory of New Hires containing prescribed information furnished by employers on new personnel; and (2) transmit such information to the National Directory of New Hires. (Sec. 2314) Requires States to have statutorily prescribed procedures: (1) for mandatory income withholding for support payments subject to enforcement; and (2) under which wages of a person with a support obligation imposed by a child support order issued before October 1, 1996, shall become subject to withholding if arrearages occur, without the need for a judicial or administrative hearing. Revises the procedural guidelines for income withholding for child support enforcement. (Sec. 2315) Requires the States to have statutorily prescribed procedures to ensure that Federal and State agencies conducting income-withholding activities have access to State locator systems for motor vehicle or law enforcement purposes. (Sec. 2316) Revises the Federal Parent Locator Service to provide for additional information which may be transmitted to locate individuals and assets for purposes of: (1) establishing parentage; (2) establishing, setting the amount of, modifying, or enforcing child support obligations; and (3) enforcing child custody or visitation orders. Directs the HHS Secretary to establish in the Federal Parent Locator Service an automated Federal Case Registry of Child Support Orders and an automated National Directory of New Hires. Requires the Secretaries of Labor and of HHS to jointly develop cost-effective methods of accessing information in the various State directories of new hires and the National Directory of New Hires, taking into account impact and cost to the States, and the need to insure authorized use of wage record information. (Sec. 2317) Requires States to have statutorily prescribed procedures requiring recordation on such documents of the Social Security number of: (1) specified driver's, marriage, and occupational, and professional license applicants; (2) individuals subject to certain domestic relations orders; and (3) deceased persons (on death records). (Sec. 2321) Requires each State to have the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act in effect as of January 1, 1998. Amends the Federal judicial code to revise the procedures for the court to apply when determining which State order to recognize for purposes of continuing, exclusive jurisdiction and enforcement for child support orders. (Sec. 2323) Requires the States to have statutorily prescribed procedures requiring: (1) expedited administrative enforcement in interstate cases and support orders; and (2) expedited administrative and judicial procedures for establishing paternity and enforcing support obligations. (Sec. 2331) Revises the guidelines for State laws governing paternity establishment. Requires State procedures under which the name of the father shall be included on the birth certificate only: (1) if the mother and father have signed a voluntary acknowledgement of paternity; or (2) pursuant to a judicial or administrative order. (Sec. 2333) Requires State plans for child and spousal support to provide that the State agency administering the plan will make a determination as to whether a program recipient is cooperating in good faith with State efforts to establish paternity and secure support. (Sec. 2341) Directs the Secretary to develop a new incentive system to replace the current one. Revises the guidelines for Federal performance-based incentive payments to the States for effective child support enforcement programs. (Sec. 2342) Requires a State plan for child and spousal support to include prescribed procedures for State reviews and audits. Revises the guidelines for Federal evaluation and audit of State programs governing paternity, child and spousal support, and parent location. (Sec. 2344) Revises the automated data processing requirements for State plans to mandate a single statewide automated data processing and information retrieval system which can perform specified tasks. (Sec. 2345) Makes funds available to the Secretary for: (1) training of Federal and State staff, research and demonstration programs, and special projects of regional and national significance; and (2) operation of the Federal Parent Locator Service. (Sec. 2351) Revises the requirements for State plan procedures for the review and adjustment of support orders. (Sec. 2352) Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to authorize a consumer agency to furnish a consumer report: (1) in response to a request by a governmental child support enforcement agency; or (2) to the State administrative agency which sets child support awards. (Sec. 2353) Shields a depository institution from Federal or State liability for disclosing any financial record of an individual to a State child support enforcement agency. Prohibits such agency from disclosing such a financial record except for the purpose of, and to the extent necessary in, establishing, modifying, or enforcing a child support obligation. Sets forth civil penalties for any person knowingly or negligently violating such prohibition. (Sec. 2361) Amends Internal Revenue Code procedural guidelines for the collection of arrearages to provide that no additional fee may be assessed for adjustments to a previously certified amount. (Sec. 2362) Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of SSA title IV to revise procedural guidelines for: (1) consent by the United States to income withholding, garnishment, and similar proceedings for enforcement of child support and alimony obligations of current and retired Federal employees; and (2) enforcement of child support obligations of members of the Armed Forces. (Sec. 2364) Requires a State plan for child and spousal support to have in effect the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act of 1981, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act of 1984, or a similar law, as well as certain procedures governing the voiding of fraudulent transfers by a child support debtor. (Sec. 2365) Requires a State plan for child and spousal support to include specified procedures: (1) to ensure that persons owing past-due support work or participate in work activities the court deems appropriate; (2) to report to credit bureaus the name of the parent in arrears for child support; (3) to provide for liens against real and personal property for the support arrearages of an absent parent; and (4) to implement the restriction of driver's, professional, occupational, and recreational licenses of individuals owing support arrearages. (Sec. 2370) Requires the Secretary of State to deny, revoke, or limit a passport upon certification of nonpayment of child support. (Sec. 2371) Authorizes the Secretary of State to negotiate reciprocal agreements with foreign nations: (1) regarding international enforcement of child support obligations; and (2) designating the Department of HHS as the central authority for such enforcement. (Sec. 2372) Requires States to have statutorily prescribed procedures under which a State agency shall enter agreements with financial institutions doing business within the State to develop and operate a data match system to provide identifying information for each absent parent targeted by the State who maintains an account at the institution, and to encumber or surrender it. (Sec. 2373) Requires States to have statutorily prescribed procedures under which child support orders relating to the child of minor parents, where the custodial parents are receiving assistance, are enforceable against the child's paternal or maternal grandparents. (Sec. 2374) Amends Federal bankruptcy law and the Social Security Act to declare a debt for child support nondischargeable in bankruptcy. (Sec. 2376) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to include within the definition of medical child support order an order issued through a State administrative process. (Sec. 2377) Amends part D of SSA title IV to mandate statutorily prescribed procedures under which all enforced child support orders shall include a provision for the health care coverage of the child. (Sec. 2381) Amends part D of SSA title IV to prescribe guidelines under which the Administration for Children and Families shall make grants to enable States to establish and administer access and visitation programs to facilitate absent parents' access to their children. (Sec. 2400) Declares that: (1) it is a compelling government interest to enact new rules for eligibility and sponsorship agreements in order to assure that aliens be self-reliant in accordance with national immigration policy; and (2) it is a compelling government interest to remove the incentive for illegal immigration provided by the availability of public benefits. (Sec. 2401) Prohibits Federal public benefits (as defined by this Act) to aliens who are not qualified aliens (as defined by this Act). Stipulates that such prohibition shall not apply to: (1) emergency medical services; (2) certain emergency disaster relief; (3) public health immunizations and treatment of communicable diseases; (4) housing assistance; (5) certain in-kind community services; and (6) Social Security Act benefits under specified circumstances. (Sec. 2402) Makes qualified aliens ineligible (with limited exceptions for refugees, asylees, certain permanent residents, veterans and active duty personnel, aliens whose deportation is withheld, and aliens currently receiving benefits) for: (1) supplemental security income (SSI); (2) food stamps; (3) temporary assistance for needy families; (4) social services block grants; and (5) Medicaid. (Sec. 2403) Makes qualified aliens ineligible (with limited exceptions for refugees, asylees, and veterans and active duty personnel) for Federal means-tested public benefits (as defined by this Act) for the first five years after U.S. entry. (Sec. 2404) Requires each Federal agency administering a program covered by this title to post information and provide general notification to the public and program recipients, either directly or through the States, of the requirements concerning alien eligibility for any such program pursuant to this title. Amends the Social Security Act and the United States Housing Act of 1937 to provide for State reporting of certain illegal alien information to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). (Sec. 2411) Makes an alien who is not a qualified alien, a nonimmigrant, or a parolee ineligible for State or local benefits (as defined by this Act). Stipulates that such prohibition shall not apply to: (1) emergency medical services; (2) certain emergency disaster relief; (3) public health immunizations and treatment of communicable diseases; and (4) certain in-kind community services. (Sec. 2412) Authorizes States to determine eligibility for State public benefits for qualified aliens, nonimmigrants, or parolees. States that refugees, asylees, certain permanent residents, and veterans and active duty personnel shall be eligible for all State public benefits. Sets forth transition provisions for aliens currently receiving benefits. (Sec. 2421) Provides that in determining the eligibility and the amount of benefits of an alien for any Federal means-tested public benefits program the income and resources of the alien shall be deemed to include: (1) the income and resources of any person who executed an affidavit of support on the alien's behalf; and (2) the income and resources of the person's spouse (if any). Applies such requirement with respect to an alien until such time as the alien achieves U.S. citizenship through naturalization or has worked without public assistance for a specified time. (Sec. 2422) Authorizes States to make similar attributions with respect to State programs (with specified exceptions). (Sec. 2423) Sets forth requirements for sponsor's affidavit of support. (Sec. 2424) Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require sponsor cosignature of certain alien student loans. (Sec. 2431) Defines qualified alien to be: (1) a lawful permanent resident; (2) an asylee; (3) a refugee; (4) a parolee; (5) an alien under withheld deportation; and (6) an alien granted conditional entry. (Sec. 2432) Requires the Attorney General to promulgate regulations regarding alien eligibility for Federal public benefits. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 2441) Makes conforming amendments related to assisted housing under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980 and the Housing Act of 1949. (Sec. 2451) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require a taxpayer to provide his or her social security number in order to qualify for the earned income credit. (Sec. 2501) Requires the Secretaries of Agriculture, Education, Labor, Housing and Urban Development, and Health and Human Services to make specified departmental personnel reductions. Encourages the Secretary of Health and Human Services to reduce personnel in Washington, D.C. before reducing field personnel. (Sec. 2601) Prohibits: (1) a family from receiving an increased benefit under a Federal, State, or local welfare or public assistance program due to noncompliance-reduced income under such program; and (2) an individual from receiving an increased benefit under a means-tested welfare or public assistance program due to fraud-reduced income under another such program. (Sec. 2701) Amends SSA title IV to provide for enhanced funding for the implementation of Statewide automated child welfare information systems. Child Care and Development Block Grant Amendments Act of 1996 - Revises and extends through FY 2002 the authorization of appropriations for the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990. Sets forth goals for State child care assistance. (Sec. 2803) Amends Part A of title IV (AFDC) of the Social Security Act to entitle each State to payments for providing child care assistance. (Sec. 2804) Authorizes the State lead agency to administer the financial assistance it receives through other governmental or nongovernmental agencies. (Sec. 2805) Revises State application and plan requirements with respect to consumer education information, State licensing compliance, meeting the needs of AFDC or TEA recipients (especially those attempting through work activities to leave the assistance program) and those at risk of becoming dependent on assistance, and assistance for certain low-income working families. (Sec. 2807) Reduces from 20 percent to three percent the minimum amount of certain funds available for State activities to improve the quality of child care, limited to: (1) comprehensive consumer education to parents and the public; (2) activities increasing parental choice; and (3) activities designed to improve child care quality and availability. (Sec. 2808) Repeals a requirement that States expend a specified minimum amount of reserved funds for early childhood development and before- and after-school services. (Sec. 2813) Reduces the allotment reserved for Indian tribes or tribal organizations from three percent to one percent. Prescribes guidelines for the use of such allotment for facility repair and construction. (Sec. 2815) Repeals: (1) the Child Development Associate Scholarship Assistance Act of 1985; (2) the State Dependent Care Development Grants Act; (3) specified programs under title X (Programs of National Significance) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; and (4) the Native Hawaiian Family-based Education Centers program under the Native Hawaiian Education Act. (Sec. 2901) Subjects any funds received by a State under TEA block grants under part A of SSA title IV, optional State food assistance block grant under the Food Stamp Act of 1977, and block grants for child care under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to appropriation by the State legislature, consistent with the terms and conditions required under such provisions of law. (Sec. 2902) Provides that States shall not be prohibited by the Federal Government from testing welfare recipients for use of controlled substances nor from sanctioning welfare recipients who test positive for use of controlled substances. (Sec. 2903) Amends SSA title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) to provide for a reduction in funding for such block grants. (Sec. 2904) Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to eliminate housing assistance for fugitive felons and probation and parole violators. Provides for the exchange under such Act of certain information with law enforcement agencies under specified conditions. (Sec. 2905) Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the Congress should adopt enterprise zone legislation in the 104th Congress; and (2) such legislation should provide various specified incentives and provisions, including regulatory reforms that allow localities to petition Federal agencies for waivers or modifications of regulations to improve job creation, small business formation and expansion, community development, or economic revitalization objectives. (Sec. 2906) Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) States should diligently continue their efforts to enforce child support payments by the non-custodial parent to the custodial parent, regardless of employment status or location of the non-custodial parent; (2) States are encouraged to pursue pilot programs in which the parents of a non-adult, non-custodial parent who refuses or is unable to pay child support must pay or contribute to the child support owed by such non-custodial parent or otherwise fulfill all financial obligations and meet all conditions imposed on such parent, such as participation in a work program or other related activity; and (3) States and local jurisdictions should aggressively enforce statutory rape laws. (Sec. 2907) Directs the HHS Secretary to establish and implement a strategy for: (1) preventing out-of-wedlock teenage pregnancies; and (2) assuring that at least 25 percent of the communities in the United States have teenage pregnancy prevention programs in place. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on progress in meeting such goals. (Sec. 2909) Amends SSA title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) to provide for an increase in funding under such title and authorize provision of abstinence education along with a separate funding set-aside for it. (Sec. 2910) Amends the Electronic Fund Transfer Act to make certain amendments in order to encourage electronic benefit transfer systems for the distribution of needs-tested benefits by a government agency. (Sec. 2911) Amends Internal Revenue Code rules relating to denial of earned income credit for individuals having excessive investment income to: (1) provide for a reduction in the disqualified income threshold; (2) revise the adjustment for inflation; (3) modify the definitions of disqualified income and adjusted gross income for the earned income credit; and (4) suspend inflation adjustments for individuals with no qualifying children. Subtitle B: Restructuring Medicaid - Medicaid Restructuring Act of 1996 - Adds a new SSA title XV (Program of Medical Assistance for Low-Income Individuals and Families), whose purpose is to provide funds to States to enable them to provide medical assistance to low-income individuals and families in a more effective, efficient, and responsive manner. (Sec. 2923) Outlines program components, including: (1) certain guaranteed benefits for select individuals, including certain poor pregnant women, disabled and poor elderly individuals, and children receiving foster care or adoption assistance; (2) guaranteed coverage of Medicare premiums and cost-sharing for certain Medicare beneficiaries; (3) parity for mental health services; (4) limitations on cost-sharing; (5) solvency standards for capitated health care organizations; (6) prevention of spousal and family impoverishment with regard to long-term care; (7) State flexibility in benefits, provider payments, geographical coverage area, and selection of providers, as well as with respect to managed care; (8) limitations on payments for Medicaid services to nonlawful aliens, generally allowing treatment only for emergency situations; (9) coverage of abortions only for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest or when a woman suffers from a physical disorder, illness, or injury that would place her in danger of death unless an abortion is performed; (10) denial of State Medicaid plan payment for any item or service furnished for euthanasia purposes; (11) periodic, independent evaluations of the operation of the State Medicaid plan and annual audits of State Medicaid expenditures; (12) a separate fraud prevention program, as well as State fraud control units; (13) an information reporting system for sanctions taken by State licensing authorities against health care practitioners and providers; (14) quality assurance requirements for nursing facilities, as well as requirements relating to residents' rights; and (15) an optional master drug rebate agreement program for covered outpatient drugs of a manufacturer. (Sec. 2924) Terminates the current Medicaid program as of October 1, 1997. Limits Medicaid payments in FY 1997. (Sec. 2925) Directs the HHS Secretary to waive requirements of SSA titles XV and XVIII as necessary for States to conduct certain demonstration projects to use funds to develop and implement innovative programs for individuals dually eligible for benefits under both titles, including chronically ill individuals. (Sec. 2926) Establishes the National Commission on Medicaid and State-Based Health Care Reform to study and make recommendations to the Congress, the President, and the HHS Secretary with respect to the program under SSA title XIX (or SSA title XV, if applicable). Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1996
Expresses the sense of the Senate with respect to cattle and beef trade issues of: (1) antitrust and international trade barriers; (2) collection and reporting functions; (3) self-regulation; and (4) emergency loan guarantee funding.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1996
Condemns the attacks of June 25, 1996, and November 13, 1995, in Saudi Arabia. Extends condolences to the families of all U.S. service personnel killed and wounded and to the Government and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Honors such personnel for their sacrifice. Expresses gratitude to such Government and people for their heroic rescue efforts at the scene of the attack and their determination to find and punish those responsible. Reaffirms: (1) support for such Government and for continuing good relations; and (2) commitment to provide all necessary support for the men and women of our armed forces. Determines that such terror attacks present a clear threat to U.S. interests in the Persian Gulf. Calls upon the United States to: (1) continue to assist such Government in its efforts to identify those responsible for the attack; and (2) use all reasonable means available to punish the responsible parties.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Collection, Storage, and Analysis of DNA Samples Title II: Disclosure of Genetic information Title III: Discrimination Prohibited Title IV: Exceptions for Identification and Court-Ordered Genetic Analysis Title V: Research Activities Title VI: Minors Title VII: Miscellaneous Provisions Title VIII: Enforcement Title IX: Effective Dates; Applicability; and Relationship to Other Laws Genetic Confidentiality and Nondiscrimination Act of 1996 - Title I: Collection, Storage, and Analysis of DNA Samples - Prohibits, except as allowed under title IV, collection or analysis of DNA samples without the consent of the individual. Regulates written consent. Makes a DNA sample the property of the individual and gives the individual the right (subject to title IV provisions) to order sample destruction. Mandates certain notice. Title II: Disclosure of Genetic information - Prohibits disclosure or redisclosure of genetic information except in accordance with a written authorization meeting certain requirements. Provides for information inspection, copying, and amendment. Prohibits compelling disclosure in any judicial, legislative, or administrative proceeding unless: (1) the request for compulsory disclosure is in accordance with title IV; (2) the individual is a party; or (3) the information is for use in a law enforcement matter in which the individual is the subject or party. Title III: Discrimination Prohibited - Prohibits employment and insurance discrimination regarding genetic information, specifying prohibited acts. Applies enforcement provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to violations by employers and provides for insurance enforcement. Title IV: Exceptions for Identification and Court-Ordered Genetic Analysis - Allows use of DNA samples to identify a dead body. Allows sample collection and use for identification of active duty armed forces members. Declares that this Act does not prohibit certain information use in law enforcement and paternity matters. Title V: Research Activities - Prohibits research analysis of DNA samples unless an Institutional Review Board (IRB) has made certain determinations. Prohibits disclosure for research purposes unless an IRB has approved the study and the individual has consented, but allows limited access for statistical use. Title VI: Minors - Prohibits collection, storage, or analysis of samples of individuals under 18 years old to determine the risk that does not produce signs of disease before the age of 18 unless: (1) there is an effective intervention; (2) the intervention is initiated before the individual reaches 18; and (3) the individual's parent or guardian has consented. Provides for sample destruction. Prohibits newborn screening except as authorized by State law or regulation. Title VII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Requires every person who maintains genetic information to annually notify their employees of responsibilities and penalties under this Act. Provides for the transfer of ownership and the discontinuance of a program, business, enterprise, or services involving DNA samples. Title VIII: Enforcement - Authorizes any person whose rights under this Act have been violated to bring a civil action for damages or equitable relief in Federal or State court. Mandates, for negligent violations: (1) the greater of actual damages or $50,000; (2) treble damages if the violation resulted in monetary gain; and (3) costs and attorney's fees. Mandates, for wilful violations: (1) the greater of actual damages or $100,000; (2) punitive damages; and (3) costs and attorney's fees. Allows the Attorney General to bring an action for a restraining order or injunction, with the court allowed to order a civil monetary penalty, costs, and attorney's fees. Title IX: Effective Dates; Applicability; and Relationship to Other Laws - Prohibits State laws or regulations except as they prohibit or further restrict the DNA sample collection, storage, analysis, or disclosure or provide additional privacy protections to the individual.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1996
National Environmental Education Amendments Act of 1996 - Amends the National Environmental Education Act to require development of curricula, materials, and training programs supported by the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Environmental Education to be balanced and scientifically sound. Requires that implementation of the Act be through EPA. Eliminates requirements for a Director and a minimum number of staff. Allows activities to be carried out through grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts. Reduces the percentage of funds to be obligated for environmental education grants of not more than $5,000. Prohibits use of grants for certain lobbying activities. Eliminates provisions for environmental internships and fellowships. Eliminates environmental education awards provided for under such Act, except the President's Environmental Youth Awards. Revises requirements for membership on the National Environmental Education Advisory Council. Revises requirements for membership on the Federal Task Force on Environmental Education to require that it be open to representatives of any Federal agency actively engaged in environmental education. (Under current law, membership must include specified agency representatives.) Eliminates specific requirements for contents of Advisory Council reports. Changes the name of the National Environmental Education and Training Foundation to the Foundation for Environmental Education. Increases the size of the Board of the Directors. Removes the prohibition on the transmission of logos or other means of identification on materials donated to the Foundation for environmental education and training use. Authorizes appropriations. Revises funding limitations. Limits amounts available for administrative costs.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1996
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of Agriculture should: (1) use the disaster reserve for livestock producers affected by natural disasters in 1996; and (2) provide voluntary conservation assistance to anyone who is permitted to hay or graze conservation reserve land on an emergency basis.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1996
Expresses the sense of the Senate that livestock producers who had qualified for 1995 emergency livestock feed assistance should be eligible for such assistance in 1996.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1996
Expresses the sense of the Senate that special consideration for disaster reserve assistance should be given to livestock producers who suffered losses in 1996 from natural disasters but did not qualify for emergency livestock feed assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1996
Amends the Indian Environmental General Assistance Program Act of 1992 to authorize appropriations of such sums as may be necessary for the Indian Environmental General Assistance Program.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1996
Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to make assistance available under the noninsured crop assistance program for native pasture for livestock.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1996
Temporary Emergency Livestock Feed Assistance Act of 1996 - Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to provide temporary assistance for certain livestock producers. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to obligate specified funds for 1996 livestock feed emergencies. Requires a report on the use of certain commodity reserves for livestock assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Levels and Amounts Title II: Budgetary Restraints and Rulemaking Title III: Sense of the Congress, House of Representatives, and Senate Establishes the congressional budget for FY 1997 and sets forth appropriate budget levels for FY 1998 through 2002. Title I: Levels and Amounts - Sets forth recommended budgetary levels for Federal revenues, total new budget authority, total budget outlays, deficits, public debt, direct loan obligations, and primary loan guarantee commitments. (Sec. 102) Sets forth amounts of the increase in the public debt for each such fiscal year. (Sec. 103) Sets forth the amounts of Social Security revenues and outlays for each such fiscal year with respect to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund. (Sec. 104) Sets the appropriate levels of new budget authority, budget outlays, new direct loan obligations, and new primary loan guarantee commitments for FY 1997 through 2002 for each major functional category. (Sec. 105) Provides for first and final reconciliations of spending reductions. Directs the Senate Committee on the Budget to report to the Senate a reconciliation bill carrying out all recommendations of specified Senate committees without any substantive revision. Provides for reconciliation of revenue reductions. Directs the Senate Committee on Finance to report to the Senate a reconciliation bill proposing changes in laws within its jurisdiction necessary to reduce, for specified fiscal years and periods: (1) revenues by not more than specified amounts; and (2) outlays by specified amounts. Provides for treatment of reconciliation bills for prior surplus. Title II: Budgetary Restraints and Rulemaking - Sets forth discretionary spending limits for FY 1997 through 2002. (Sec. 202) Authorizes reductions of revenue and spending aggregates and revisions of allocations in the Senate for legislation that reduces revenues by providing family tax relief, fuel tax relief, and incentives to stimulate savings, investment, job creation, and economic growth, if such legislation will not increase the deficit for: (1) FY 1997; (2) FY 1997 through 2001; or (3) FY 2002 through 2006. (Sec. 203) Provides for a Superfund reserve fund in the Senate. (Sec. 204) Provides for scoring of emergency legislation according to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Title III: Sense of the Congress, House of Representatives, and Senate - Expresses the sense of the Congress on: (1) sale of government assets; (2) tax reductions benefitting working families; (3) establishment of a bipartisan commission on the solvency of Medicare; and (4) Medicare transfers. (Sec. 304) Expresses the sense of the Senate on: (1) considering a change in the minimum wage; (2) long-term projections in budget estimates; (3) immediate repeal of the gas tax; and (4) the delay of issuance of the 1996 Medicare Trustees Report.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1996
Interstate Stalking Punishment and Prevention Act of 1996 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit and prescribe penalties for interstate stalking (i.e., traveling across a State line or within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States with the intent to injure or harass another person and, in the course or as a result of such travel, placing that person in reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury to that person or a member of that person's immediate family).
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1996
National Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Act of 1996 - Amends the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 to establish a national cooperative geologic mapping program between the U.S. Geological Survey and State geological surveys. Establishes a geologic mapping advisory committee to advise the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey on planning and implementation of the geological mapping program. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1996
Provides for observation of a moment of silence at 9:02 a.m. central daylight time on April 19, 1996, in remembrance of the victims of the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Commends the people of Oklahoma and the aid provided by rescuers, Federal agencies, countless volunteers, and Federal employees. Reaffirms trust in our system of justice to ensure that the perpetrators are convicted and punished.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1996
Pays tribute to the remarkable life and career of Ronald H. Brown (the late Secretary of Commerce) and to the contributions of all those who perished in the airplane accident on April 3, 1996, while in service to their country on a mission to Bosnia. Extends condolences to the victims' families.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1996
Propane Education and Research Act of 1996 - Authorizes the qualified industry organizations (the National Propane Gas Association, the Gas Processors Association, or successor organizations, or a group of retail marketers or producers who collectively represent at least 25 percent of the volume of propane sold or produced in the United States) to conduct, at their own expense, a referendum among producers and retail marketers for the creation of a Propane Education and Research Council. Directs the Council, if established, to develop programs (including programs to enhance consumer and employee safety and training) and enter into contracts for: (1) propane research and development; (2) consumer education; and (3) payment for program costs with funds collected under this Act. Requires the Council to reimburse the Secretary of Energy annually for any costs incurred by the United States. Authorizes the Council to levy annual assessments on odorized propane, according to prescribed guidelines, to cover program costs. Directs the Council to establish a program to coordinate its operations with any State propane education and research council. Prohibits Council funds from being used for lobbying activities. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to prepare and make available to the Council, the Secretary of Energy (Secretary), and the public, annual analyses of changes in propane prices relative to other energy resources. Requires the Council to restrict its activities to research and development, training, and safety whenever in any year the five-year average rolling price index of consumer grade propane exceeds by more than 10.1 percent the five-year rolling average price composite index of residential electricity, residential natural gas, and refiner price to end users of Number 2 fuel oil. Requires the price of propane to be determined by market forces in all cases. Prohibits the Council from taking action to pass the cost of the annual assessments to consumers. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to report biennially to the Congress and the Secretary on whether: (1) operation of the Council, in conjunction with the cumulative effects of market changes and Federal programs, has had an effect on propane consumers, including residential, agriculture, process, and nonfuel users; and (2) there have been long-term and short-term effects on propane prices as a result of Council activities and Federal programs.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1996
Defend America Act of 1996 - Expresses U.S. policy to deploy by the end of 2003 a National Missile Defense (NMD) system that: (1) is capable of providing a highly effective defense of U.S. territory against limited, unauthorized, or accidental ballistic missile attack; (2) will be augmented over time to provide a layered defense against larger and more sophisticated ballistic missile threats; and (3) does not feature an offensive-only form of deterrence. Directs the Secretary of Defense to develop for deployment an affordable and operationally effective NMD system which shall achieve an initial operational capability by the end of 2003. Outlines system elements, including the use of missile interceptors on the ground, at sea, and in space. Directs the Secretary to take specified actions to implement the NMD system development upon enactment of this Act, including the conduct of an integrated systems test by the end of 1998. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress the Secretary's plans for the development and deployment of the NMD system. Urges the President to pursue high-level discussions with the Russian Federation to achieve an agreement to amend the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty to allow deployment of the NMD system. Requires the President to present any such agreement to the Senate for its advice and consent. Requires the President and the Congress, if such an agreement is not achieved within one year after enactment of this Act, to consider exercising the option of withdrawing the United States from the ABM Treaty.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1996
Exempts from copyright infringement the communication within a commercial establishment of the transmission of a performance or display of a work by the reception of a broadcast, cable, satellite, or other transmission, if no direct charge is made to see or hear the transmission, its reception is authorized, and such transmission is not retransmitted to the public beyond such premises, and if communicated: (1) in an area where a transmission is intended to be received by the general public that is smaller than 5,000 square feet; (2) within an establishment whose gross annual income does not exceed 20 percent of the gross annual income of a small business as defined by the Small Business Administration; (3) by means of ten or fewer loudspeakers; or (4) by means of speakers in audiovisual devices only. (Sec. 2) Requires any controversy or dispute arising out of the appropriate fee to be paid for the user's past or future performance of nondramatic musical works in the repertoire of a performing rights society (PRS) to be settled by arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association. Outlines provisions: (1) requiring the confidentiality of arbitration findings; (2) limiting the length of time that the finding of an appropriate fee shall apply; (3) requiring a PRS to make available to all interested persons access to copyright and licensing information for each nondramatic musical work in its repertoire; and (4) requiring a PRS to make available a printed directory of each title in its repertoire. Provides restrictions for PRSs not in compliance with such requirements. (Sec. 3) Requires each PRS to offer to any radio broadcaster that so requests a per programming period license (license) to perform nondramatic musical works in the repertoire of the PRS. Outlines provisions: (1) determining the price of each such license; (2) providing for the determination of the performance of nondramatic musical works by a broadcaster under any such license; and (3) enforcing a broadcaster's right to apply for and receive such a license. (Sec. 4) Exempts from copyright infringement the transmission of religious services, or the recording of a program embodying such services in their entirety, if there is no commercial advertisement or commercial sponsor within such program. (Sec. 5) Defines "performing rights society," "general music user," and "loudspeaker" for purposes of the copyright laws.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1996
Independent Contractor Tax Simplification Act of 1996 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that, for purposes of determining the employment status of individuals as employees, a service provider shall not be treated as an employee, a service recipient shall not be treated as an employer, a payor shall not be treated as an employer, and compensation paid or received for such service shall not be treated as paid or received with respect to employment if certain conditions are met.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1996
Expresses: (1) admiration of the legacy of the late Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and his contribution to the special relationship between the United States and Israel; and (2) the sense of the Congress that the American Promenade in Israel be named in memory of him.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: General Provisions Title II: Assistance for Education of All Children with Disabilities Title III: Systems Change Title IV: Research and Personnel Preparation Title V: Technical Assistance, Support, and Dissemination of Information Title VI: Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1996 - Revises the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and extends its authorization of appropriations through FY 2002. Title I: General Provisions - Revises IDEA to declare that the right to equal educational opportunities for all children with disabilities is guaranteed by the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. (Sec. 103) Allows the Office of Special Education Programs to accept voluntary and uncompensated services. (Sec. 104) Revises requirements for: (1) prescribing regulations; (2) eligibility for financial assistance; and (3) discretionary grant programs. Requires the Secretary of Education to develop and implement a comprehensive plan for activities under titles IV and V of this Act. Provides for specified enhanced services to children with disabilities. Lists entities eligible for awards. Authorizes the Secretary to limit, without rulemaking, competitions to projects that give priority to one or more targeted areas, if each project addresses the needs of children with disabilities and their families. Provides for application management, including a peer review process. Authorizes the Secretary to use certain funds for: (1) payments to nonfederal entities for administrative support; (2) Federal employees to monitor projects; and (3) evaluation of program activities carried out under these programs. (Sec. 107) Repeals IDEA provisions for: (1) acquisition of equipment and construction of necessary facilities; and (2) grants for the removal of architectural barriers. Title II: Assistance for Education of All Children with Disabilities - Revises entitlements and allocations for assistance for education of all children with disabilities. (Sec. 201) Authorizes States to determine whether to make subgrants smaller than a specified minimum amount to some local education agencies (LEAs). (Sec. 202) Revises and consolidates State eligibility and planning provisions. Provides that, if a child with a disability qualifies for special education, that child does not have to be classified by a specific impairment or condition. Requires the State educational agency (SEA) to: (1) examine data to determine if significant racial disproportionality is occurring in the identification or placement of children under IDEA; and (2) review and revise policies accordingly. Provides that, if a hearing officer agrees with the parents' unilateral placement of a child with a disability in a private school, the LEA may be required to reimburse the parents. Requires a non-educational agency, if it is responsible for services necessary to ensure a free appropriate public education for children with disabilities, to pay for or provide such services directly or by contract or other arrangements. Requires States to: (1) ensure that interagency agreements or other mechanisms are in effect between educational agencies and non-educational agencies for defining respective financial responsibilities, resolving interagency disputes, and interagency coordination; and (2) establish a mechanism by which LEAs may seek reimbursement from agencies for the costs of providing related services. Revises requirements for a comprehensive system of personnel development. Allows LEAs to use appropriately trained and supervised paraprofessionals. Requires States to: (1) establish performance goals and indicators for children with disabilities; (2) ensure that these children participate in general State and district-wide assessments, with appropriate accommodations, where necessary; and (3) develop guidelines for participation in alternative assessments for those children who cannot participate in such general State and district-wide assessments. Consolidates funding and public participation requirements. Revises requirements for State advisory panels and their duties. Repeals requirements for three-year State plans. (Sec. 203) Revises LEA and SEA eligibility and maintenance of effort requirements, with specified exceptions. Allows specified activities, regardless of certain excess cost and noncommingling of funds requirements, including: (1) incidental benefits to non-disabled students; (2) simultaneous services on a space-available basis to non-IDEA-eligible children with disabilities protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); (3) a coordinated services system that links education, health, and social welfare services, systems, and entities to improve educational and transitional results for all children and their families; and (4) a school-based improvement plan. Revises requirements for LEA involvement with a State's Comprehensive System of Personnel Development. (Sec. 204) Revises and consolidates specified requirements for State and local administration of evaluations, reevaluations, individualized education programs (IEPs), and educational placements. Revises IEP content to: (1) focus on measurable annual objectives; and (2) emphasize ensuring that each child, as appropriate, has the opportunity to progress in the general curriculum, and to participate with nondisabled children in various environments. Requires consideration of transition services needs: (1) for all students with disabilities beginning at age 14 (or younger, under specified circumstances); (2) under the applicable components of the IEP; and (3) in light of the student's participation in the general curriculum. Provides for transfer of rights at the age of majority. (Sec. 205) Repeals certain IDEA provisions relating to Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) State agencies. (Sec. 206) Revises procedural safeguards, including provisions for written notices to parents. Requires States to make mediation available to parents of children with disabilities in disputes with LEAs on any matter regarding the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of a child or the provision of free appropriate public education. Permits the transfer of parental rights to a student with disabilities upon reaching the age of majority under State law. Requires the State to have procedures for appointing the parent or another person to represent the student's interests if, under State law, such a student is determined not to have the ability to provide informed consent. (Sec. 207) Revises requirements for: (1) withholding of payments to non-compliant States and judicial review of such determinations; (2) rulemaking on compliance and eligibility; (3) evaluation and program information; (4) preschool grants; and (5) payments. (Sec. 209) Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct studies and evaluations to assess the effectiveness of efforts to provide free appropriate public education and early intervention services, including assessing the placement of children with disabilities by disability category; and (2) conduct a longitudinal study that measure the educational and transitional services provided to and results achieved by children with disabilities under IDEA. Title III: Systems Change - Establishes a program to promote systems change to improve educational and transitional services and results for children with disabilities. Authorizes competitive grants to SEAs, in partnership with LEAs and other interested individuals, agencies, and organizations, to improve such services and results on a system-wide basis. Allows grant recipients to collaborate in systems change activities with those in other States, through joint arrangements with institutions of higher education and sharing of staff and consultants. Requires coordination with this program of activities under titles IV and V. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 302) Extends authorities and authorizations of appropriations relating to centers and services to meet special needs of individuals with disabilities, including regional centers for the deaf. Title IV: Research and Personnel Preparation - Establishes a new program (in part by consolidating certain current activities) for improving early intervention, educational, and transitional services and results for children with disabilities through coordinated research and personnel preparation. (Consolidates current part D personnel preparation provisions and current part E research provisions.) (Sec. 401) Authorizes research and innovation grants and contracts for: (1) new knowledge production in learning styles, instructional approaches, behavior management, assessment tools, assistive technology, program accountability and personnel preparation models; (2) integration of research and practice, through demonstration and dissemination of successful practice; and (3) improvement in the use of professional knowledge by teachers, parents, and others in their classrooms and other learning settings. Authorizes personnel preparation grants and contracts in the areas of: (1) high incidence disabilities, such as learning disabilities, mental retardation, and behavior disordered groups; (2) leadership preparation; (3) low-incidence disabilities, such as sensory impairment, multiple disabilities, and severe disabling conditions; and (4) projects of national significance. (Sec. 402) Makes conforming amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965, Goals 2000: Educate America Act, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. (Sec. 403) Extends the authorization of appropriations for training personnel for the education of individuals with disabilities. Title V: Technical Assistance, Support, and Dissemination of Information - Establishes a new program (in part by consolidating certain current activities) for improving early intervention, educational, and transitional services and results for children with disabilities through coordinated technical assistance, support, and dissemination of information. (Sec. 501) Authorizes grants and contracts for: (1) parent training and information centers and community programs; (2) coordinated technical assistance, support, and dissemination; and (3) technology and media activities. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 502) Makes conforming amendments to IDEA and the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act. (Sec. 503) Extends various authorities and authorizations of appropriations. Title VI: Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities - Revises the program for infants and toddlers with disabilities, with respect to: (1) encouraging States to expand opportunities for infants and toddlers with disabilities who are at risk of having substantial developmental delays if early intervention services are not provided; (2) continuing eligibility; (3) statewide system requirements; (4) the individualized family service plan; (5) allocation and use of funds; (6) procedural safeguards; (7) State Interagency Coordinating Council duties; and (8) Federal Interagency Coordinating Council (FICC) membership and duties. (Sec. 615) Directs the FICC to convene a panel of experts to develop recommendations for a model definition of developmental delay. Allows the use of funds for referring at risk infants and toddlers, in those States not currently serving them, to other IDEA services. Permits planning for transition to preschool services to begin up to six months before the child's third birthday, if parents and agencies agree. (Sec. 616) Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1996
Urges the Government of Iran to extend to the Baha'i community the rights guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the international covenants on human rights. Calls upon the President to continue to: (1) assert the U.S. Government's concern regarding Iran's violations of the rights of its citizens, including members of the Baha'i community, along with expressions of concern regarding the Iranian Government's support for international terrorism and its efforts to acquire weapons of mass destruction; (2) emphasize that the United States regards the human rights practices of the Iranian Government, particularly its treatment of the Baha'i community and other religious minorities, as a significant factor in the development of U.S.-Iranian relations; (3) urge the Iranian Government to emancipate the Baha'i community by granting those rights guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the international covenants on human rights; and (4) encourage other governments to continue to appeal to the Government of Iran, and to cooperate with other governments and international organizations, in efforts to protect the religious rights of the Baha'is and other minorities in Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1996
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the George Washington University is exceptionally important to the Nation. Urges that its importance be recognized and celebrated through regular ceremonies.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1996
Declares that: (1) Congress intends to pass an increase in the public debt limit before March 1, 1996; and (2) social security beneficiaries should be assured, in the interim, that social security benefits will be paid on a timely basis in March 1996. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to issue U.S. obligations before March 1, 1996, in an amount equal to the monthly insurance benefits payable under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act in March 1996. Exempts such obligations from the public debt limit until the earlier of March 15, 1996, or the date of the enactment of the first increase in such limit after the date of the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1996
Commends the men and women who have served or are presently serving in the American Foreign Service and honors those who have given their lives in the line of duty. Designates the first Friday in May 1996 as American Foreign Service Day.
United States · United States Congress · 21 December 1995
Housing Opportunity Program Extension Act of 1995 - Extends through FY 1996: (1) section 8 (United States Housing Act of 1937) contract assistance authority for one-year renewals at current rent levels; and (2) the homeownership program under the community development block grant program. Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to extend the following rural housing programs through FY 1996: (1) underserved areas set-aside; (2) multifamily rental housing; and (3) funds for nonprofit entities. Amends the National Housing Act to extend the Federal Housing Administration home equity conversion mortgage program through FY 1996. Increases program mortgages from 25,000 to 30,000. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to extend through FY 1996 the risk-sharing and housing finance agency pilot programs.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 1995
Expresses congressional: (1) opposition to President Clinton's decision to deploy U.S. military ground forces into the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina to implement the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina and its associated annexes; and (2) support for U.S. military personnel who may be ordered by the President to implement such Agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1995
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay the amounts determined under this Act to the State of New Mexico, out of amounts in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, on behalf of certain former employees of the United States whose fire fighting functions were transferred from the Department of Energy to Los Alamos County, New Mexico, for purchase of service credit under the retirement system for employees of the State of New Mexico.
United States · United States Congress · 7 December 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Management of Grazing on Federal Land Subtitle A: General Provisions Subtitle B: Qualifications and Grazing Preferences Subtitle C: Grazing Management Subtitle D: Authorization of Grazing Use Subtitle E: Civil violations and Failures of Compliance Subtitle F: Unauthorized Grazing Use Subtitle G: Procedure Subtitle H: Advisory Committees Subtitle I: Reports Title II: Management of National Grasslands Public Rangelands Management Act of 1995 - Title I: Management of Grazing on Federal Land - Subtitle A: General Provisions - Directs the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary): (1) to establish standards and guidelines for addressing rangeland condition and trend on a State or regional level in consultation with the Resource Advisory Councils (established in section 171 of this Act) and in cooperation with the State departments of agriculture or other appropriate agencies and academic institutions in each interested State; and (2) where appropriate, to authorize and encourage the use of coordinated resource management practices. Authorizes and directs the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture (Secretaries), as appropriate, to enter into cooperative agreements to coordinate the associated activities of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Forest Service, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service where coordinated resource management involves private land, State land, and Federal land managed by BLM or the Forest Service. (Sec. 106) Requires an authorized officer to manage livestock grazing on Federal land under the principles of multiple use and sustained yield and in accordance with applicable land use plans. Requires a land use plan, with respect to grazing administration, to: (1) consider the impacts of all multiple uses, including livestock and wildlife grazing, on the environment and condition of public rangelands and the contributions of these uses to the management, maintenance, and improvement of such rangelands; (2) establish allowable grazing use (in combination with other multiple uses), related levels of production or use to be maintained, areas of use, and resource condition goals and objectives to be obtained; and (3) set forth programs and general management practices needed to achieve the purposes of this title. Requires land use plans and amendments thereto to continue to be developed in conformance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Specifies that livestock grazing activities and management actions approved by the authorized officer, including the issuance, renewal, or transfer of grazing permits or leases (permits), shall not constitute major Federal actions requiring consideration under NEPA in addition to that which is necessary to support the land use plan and amendments thereto. Subtitle B: Qualifications and Grazing Preferences - Requires a grazing permit to specify: (1) a historical grazing preference; (2) active use, based on the amount of forage available for livestock grazing established in the land use plan; (3) suspended use; and (4) voluntary and temporary nonuse. Specifies that: (1) a grazing preference identified in a grazing permit shall attach to the base property supporting the grazing permit; and (2) the animal unit months of a grazing preference shall attach to the acreage of land base property on a pro rata basis, or water base property on the basis of livestock forage production within the service area of the water. Subtitle C: Grazing Management - Directs the Secretary, if he or she elects to develop an allotment management plan for a given area, to do so in consultation, cooperation, and coordination with the lessees, permittees, and landowners involved, the resource advisory and grazing advisory councils, and any States having lands within the area to be covered by such allotment management plan. (Sec. 122) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a cooperative agreement with a permittee or lessee (permittee) for the construction, installation, modification, maintenance, removal, or use of a permanent range improvement or development of a rangeland to achieve a management or resource condition objective. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) cost-sharing; (2) title; (3) nonstructural range improvements; (4) incentives for investing in range improvements; (5) range improvement permits; and (5) assignment of range improvements. (Sec. 123) Requires that: (1) monitoring of a grazing allotment be performed by qualified Federal, State, or local agency personnel (personnel), qualified consultants as agreed to in an approved allotment management plan, or qualified range consultants retained by the United States (U.S. consultants); (2) inspection of a grazing allotment be performed by such personnel or U.S. consultants; (3) rangeland monitoring be conducted according to regional or State criteria and protocols that are scientifically based; and (4) criteria and protocols be developed by the Secretary in consultation with the Resource Advisory Councils and in cooperation with State departments of agriculture or other appropriate agencies and academic institutions in each interested State. Sets forth provisions regarding permittee participation in allotment monitoring, with exceptions. (Sec. 124) Prohibits any water rights on Federal land from being acquired, perfected, owned, controlled, maintained, administered, or transferred in connection with livestock grazing management other than in accordance with State law concerning the use and appropriation of water. Directs the Secretary, in managing livestock grazing on Federal land, to follow State law regarding water right ownership and appropriation. Prohibits the Secretary from imposing or requiring any transfer, restriction, or limitation on the use of any water right as a term or condition of any permit or as a requirement for approval of the transportation, storage, or conveyance of water on or across Federal land. Subtitle D: Authorization of Grazing Use - Requires a grazing permit to be issued for a 15-year term unless: (1) the land disposal is pending; (2) the land will be devoted to a public purpose that precludes grazing prior to the end of 15 years; or (3) the Secretary determines that it would be in the best interest of sound land management to specify a shorter term, if the decision to specify a shorter term is supported by appropriate and accepted resource analysis and evaluation, and a shorter term is determined to be necessary, based upon monitoring information, to achieve land management goals and objectives. Directs that a permittee holding a grazing permit be given first priority at the end of the term for renewal of the grazing permit if: (1) the land for which the grazing permit is issued remains available for domestic livestock grazing; (2) the permittee is in compliance with this title and the terms and conditions of the grazing permit; and (3) the permittee accepts the terms and conditions included by the authorized officer in the new grazing permit. (Sec. 132) Allows the Secretary to authorize subleasing of a Federal grazing permit, in whole or in part, only if the permittee is unable to make full grazing use due to ill health or death or under a cooperative agreement with a grazing permittee. (Sec. 133) Specifies that a permittee shall own or control and be responsible for the management of the livestock that graze the Federal land under a grazing permit. Prohibits an authorized officer from imposing any marking or tagging requirement beyond State law requirements. (Sec. 134) Subjects a grazing permit to such reasonable terms or conditions as may be required by this Act or as contained in an approved allotment management plan. Specifies that no term or condition of a grazing permit shall be imposed pertaining to past practice or present willingness of an applicant or permittee to relinquish control of public access to Federal land across private land. Allows an authorized officer to modify the terms and conditions of a grazing permit if monitoring data show that the grazing use is not meeting the land use plan or management objectives. (Sec. 135) Sets the fee for each animal unit month in a grazing fee year to be determined by the Secretary at an amount equal to the three-year average of the total gross value of production for beef cattle for the three years preceding the grazing fee year, multiplied by the ten-year average of the United States Treasury Securities six-month bill "new issue" rate, divided by 12. Specifies that the gross value of production for beef cattle shall be determined by the Economic Research Service of the Department of Agriculture (ERS). Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the definition of "animal unit month"; (2) livestock not counted as an animal unit month; and (3) other fees and charges. Directs ERS to continue to compile and report the gross value of production of beef cattle on a dollars-per-bred-cow basis for the United States. Subtitle E: Civil Violations and Failures of Compliance - Establishes civil sanctions for any of the following: (1) failing to make grazing use under the terms and conditions of a grazing permit, or under a cooperative agreement; (2) placing supplemental feed on land covered by a grazing permit without authorization; (3) failing to comply with a term, condition, or stipulation of a range improvement cooperative agreement or range improvement permit; (4) entering into an unauthorized sublease; or (5) allowing unauthorized livestock or other privately owned or controlled animals to graze on or be driven across Federal land. Allows an authorized officer, in a case of a violation or failure of compliance, to: (1) withhold issuance of a grazing permit; (2) suspend the grazing use authorized under a grazing permit; or (3) cancel a grazing permit and grazing preference or other grazing authorization. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) cancellation, suspension, or modification of grazing permits; (2) second or subsequent willful violations; (3) consideration of severity; (4) subleases; and (5) failure to make grazing use under the terms and conditions of a grazing permit or under a cooperative agreement. Subtitle F: Unauthorized Grazing Use - Allows an authorized officer to approve a nonmonetary settlement of a case of a violation upon determining that: (1) evidence shows that the unauthorized use occurred through no fault of the livestock operator; (2) the forage use is insignificant; (3) Federal land has not been damaged; and (4) nonmonetary settlement is in the best interests of the United States. (Sec. 152) Directs that any impoundment and sale of unauthorized livestock on Federal land be conducted in accordance with State law. Subtitle G: Procedure - Requires the authorized officer to: (1) serve, by certified mail or personal delivery, a proposed decision on any applicant, permittee, or lienholder, or agent thereof that is affected by a proposed action on an application for, or relating to a term or condition of, a grazing permit or range improvement permit; and (2) send copies of a proposed decision to affected interests. (Sec. 162) Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) protests of proposed decisions; (2) final decisions; and (3) appeals. Subtitle H: Advisory Committees - Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior, in consultation with the Governors of the affected States, to establish and operate joint Resource Advisory Councils on a State or regional level to provide advice on management issues for all lands administered by BLM and the Forest Service within such area, with an exception. Sets forth provisions regarding Council duties, disregard of advice, membership, subgroups, terms, applicability of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, and other advisory councils under the Federal Land Policy Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA). (Sec. 172) Requires the Secretary, in consultation with the Governor of the affected State and with affected counties, to appoint between five and nine persons to serve on a Grazing Advisory Council for each district and each national forest within the 17 contiguous Western States having jurisdiction over more than 500,000 acres of public lands subject to commercial livestock grazing. Allows the Secretaries to establish joint Grazing Advisory Councils wherever practicable. Sets forth provisions regarding the duties of the Grazing Advisory Councils, disregard of advice, membership, and applicability of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. (Sec. 173) Defines "district" for purposes of this subtitle as a grazing district administered, or other lands within a State boundary which are eligible for grazing, under specified provisions of the Taylor Grazing Act. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) termination of service of an advisory committee member; and (2) compensation and expense reimbursement. (Sec. 174) Repeals FLPMA provisions regarding grazing advisory boards. Subtitle I: Reports - Directs the Secretaries to submit annual reports that contain: (1) itemization of revenues received and costs incurred directly in connection with the management of grazing on Federal land; and (2) recommendations for reducing administrative costs and improving the overall efficiency of Federal rangeland management. Title II: Management of National Grasslands - National Grasslands Management Act of 1995 - Amends the Forest Rangeland Renewable Resource Planning Act of 1974 to remove the National Grasslands from the National Forest System. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) manage the National Grasslands as a separate entity; (2) administer grazing permits and implement grazing management decisions in consultation, cooperation, and coordination with local grazing associations and other grazing permit holders; and (3) promulgate regulations to manage and protect the National Grasslands. Makes conforming amendments to the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) hunting, fishing, and recreational activities on National Grasslands; (2) valid existing rights; and (3) fees and charges.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 1995
Biennial Budgeting Act of 1995 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to revise the Federal and congressional budget processes by establishing a two-year budgeting and appropriations cycle and timetable. Defines the budget biennium as the two consecutive fiscal years beginning on October 1 of any odd-numbered year. Devotes the first session of any Congress to the budget resolution and to appropriations decisions, retaining current deadlines in most cases. Changes certain deadlines to conform to the biennial scheme. Devotes each second session to authorization activity, subject to specified deadlines. Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to issue four-year projections of congressional budget action. (Current projections are on a five-year basis.) Amends provisions relating to the reconciliation process to: (1) increase from 20 to 100 hours the time of debate permitted in the Senate with respect to reconciliation measures; and (2) make it out of order in both the House and the Senate to consider any reconciliation legislation changing any provision of law other than one relating to new budget or spending authority, revenues, or the public debt limit. Conforms provisions governing the President's budget to the biennial framework. Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to conform to the biennial framework. Sets forth effective date provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 28 November 1995
Amends specified Federal law (a joint resolution making further continuing appropriations for FY 1996, Public Law 104-56) to provide for reimbursement to States for federally funded employees carrying out Federal programs during the lapse in appropriations from November 14, 1995, through November 19, 1995.
United States · United States Congress · 28 November 1995
Federal Shutdown Equity Act - Amends specified Federal laws relating to compensation for Members of Congress and for the President to prohibit any such compensation from being paid for any period during FY 1996 during which appropriations for the compensation of Federal employees have lapsed, until all regular appropriations laws have been enacted or a continuing appropriations resolution has become law covering those regular appropriations bills that have not been enacted (thus providing for comparable treatment of Federal employees and Members of Congress and the President during any fiscal hiatus during FY 1996).
![Official portrait of Sen. Domenici, Pete V. [R-NM]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/d000407_200.jpg)