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United States · Official source
2,727 records where Sen. Ford, Wendell H. [D-KY] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1991
Provides for the relief of certain land grantors in Henderson, Union, and Webster Counties, Kentucky, and their heirs.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1991
Biennial Budget Act - 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, beginning in the 103d Congress. 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 relevant deadlines as follows to conform to the biennial scheme: (1) from April 1 to March 31 for the Senate Budget Committee's report on the concurrent resolution on the budget; (2) from June 15 to September 30 for completion of congressional action on reconciliation legislation; and (3) from June 30 to September 30 for completion of congressional action on appropriations bills. Devotes each second session to authorization activity, subject to deadlines of: (1) May 15 for the submission of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report to the Budget Committees; and (2) the last day of the session for completion of congressional action on bills and resolutions authorizing new budget authority for the next biennium. Changes from January 15 to February 15 of each year the date by which the CBO Director must submit to the Congress a report on authorizations. Requires the Director of the CBO 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. Revises the extent of projections to be included in CBO analyses of reported bills. Conforms provisions governing the President's budget to the biennial framework. Changes the due date for the President's report on estimated budget outlays and proposed budget authority, making the report due at the same time as the President's budget. Requires the Joint Economic Committee to submit its evaluation of these estimates by February 25 of each odd-numbered year. (The current annual deadline is March 1.) Directs the heads of Federal executive agencies, the Comptroller General, and the Directors of the Congressional Budget Office, the Office of Technology Assessment, and the Congressional Research Service to provide studies, analyses, reports, and other documentation concerning program administration to assist the standing committees of the House and the Senate having jurisdiction over the programs in question. Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to conform to the biennial framework.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1991
Veterans Dignity in Health Care Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that any veteran who is furnished hospital, nursing home, or domiciliary care in a Department of Veterans Affairs (Department) facility shall be entitled to purchase and consume tobacco products there. Requires the Department to maintain, and veterans being treated to have access to: (1) a commissary or canteen for the purchase of such products; and (2) a suitable indoor area for consumption of the products.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1991
Refers S. 1652 (a bill for the relief of land grantors in Henderson, Union, and Webster Counties, Kentucky, and their heirs) to the Chief Judge of the U.S. Claims Court for a report thereon.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1991
900 Services Consumer Protection Act of 1991 - Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to initiate coordinated rulemaking proceedings to establish a consistent system for oversight and regulation of pay-per-call services in order to provide for the protection of consumers in accordance with this Act. Requires that the rules or regulations issued by the FTC require that a pay-per-call service: (1) describe the service and all charges in an introductory disclosure message; (2) enable the caller to hang up before the end of the introductory message without incurring any charge; (3) give repeat callers notice of any rate increases during the introductory message; (4) not be aimed at children under 12, unless it is an educational service; and (5) prohibit the use of a toll-free number under which a caller would be automatically connected to an access number for a pay-per-call service. Requires that the rules or regulations issued by the FCC include the following requirements for common carriers: (1) a common carrier which contracts with a provider of a pay-per-call service must make available on request a list of access numbers for each pay-per-call service it carries, a description of each service, a statement of charges, and other applicable information the FCC considers necessary; (2) a common carrier shall not disconnect a subscriber's local or long distance service because of nonpayment for any pay-per-call service; (3) a common carrier that provides local exchange service shall offer subscribers the option of blocking access to pay-per-call services; and (4) a common carrier that engages in billing and collection of charges for pay-per-call services shall offer subscribers the option of canceling charges for pay-per-call service in instances of unauthorized use or misunderstanding of such charges at the time of use, annually send to subscribers a specified disclosure statement, clearly separate pay-per-call services in any billing, have the right to recover the carrier's compliance costs, and stop the assessment of time-based charges upon disconnection by the caller. Requires the rules issued by the FTC to: (1) require any provider of a pay-per-call service to include in any advertisement specified information concerning charges; (2) require that whenever the number to be called is shown on television and print media advertisements the charges will be displayed clearly and conspicuously for the same duration that the number is displayed; (3) prohibit any pay-per-call service to emit tones during an advertisement that can automatically dial an access number; (4) require any telephone message soliciting calls to a pay-per-call service to clearly specify the charges; and (5) prohibit any person from advertising a toll-free telephone number from which a caller can or will be automatically connected to an access number for a pay-per-call number. Requires the FCC to consider adopting certain rules, including that a pay-per-call service: (1) automatically disconnect a caller after one full cycle of program; and (2) include a beep tone or other clear signal marking the passage of time. Specifies that nothing in this Act shall affect provisions of the Communications Act of 1934 concerning obscene or harassing phone calls. Sets forth provisions providing for enforcement of this Act, including: (1) criminal penalties and forfeiture penalties of the Communications Act of 1934; (2) penalties under the Federal Trade Commission Act; and (3) enforcement by States. Directs the FTC to conduct a study of and report to the Congress concerning the acquisition and use by pay-per-call providers of callers' telephone numbers.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1991
Recognizes and grants a Federal charter to the Military Order of the World Wars, a nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of the District of Columbia.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1991
Designates November 1991 as National Accessible Housing Month.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1991
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a program for furnishing marriage and family counseling services to veterans who were awarded a campaign medal for active-duty service during the Persian Gulf War, reservists who were called or ordered to active duty during such War, and their spouses, dependents, and parents. Authorizes the Secretary to provide marriage and family counseling services that the Secretary determines, based on an assessment by a mental-health professional, is necessary for the amelioration of psychological, marital, or familial difficulties resulting from such active-duty service. Outlines provisions concerning the manner in which such services will be furnished, as well as qualifications required of the marriage and family counselors performing such services. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1991 through 1994. Terminates the program at the end of FY 1994. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on such program, with recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow farmers' cooperatives to elect to treat as ordinary income or loss certain capital gains and losses from the disposition of assets used in conducting business with or for patrons.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1991
Authorizes the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration to pay out of the Senate's contingent fund, the legal expenses for any present or former employee on the staff of Senator D'Amato for private representation with respect to official actions and responsibilities before the grand jury in United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1991
Designates the week of August 18 through 24, 1991, as National Saddlebred Horse Week in recognition of the centennial year of the American Saddlebred Horse Association and of the role played by this distinguished breed in the history and growth of our great Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1991
Designates the week beginning August 25, 1991, as National Parks Week.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1991
Authorizes the Committee on Rules and Administration to expend a specified amount for the purchase of 1992 "We The People" calendars.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1991
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the 1981 Israeli preemptive strike against the Iraqi nuclear reactor at Osirak was a legitimate and justifiable exercise of self-defense which also reduced the threat of Iraqi nuclear aggression against countries bordering Iraq; and (2) the United States should seek the repeal of United Nations Security Council Resolution 487 which condemned the strike.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1991
Prohibits the proposed export to the Republic of Korea of technical data and equipment described in the certification transmitted to the Congress pursuant to a specified Section of the Arms Export Control Act on July 8, 1991 (transmittal number MC-42-91).
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1991
Prohibits the proposed sale to the Republic of Korea of F-16 C/D aircraft and other defense articles and defense services described in the certification transmitted to the Congress pursuant to a specified section of the Arms Export Control Act on July 8, 1991 (transmittal number 91-37).
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1991
Agriculture Disaster Assistance Act of 1991 - Title I: Emergency Livestock Assistance - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to prohibit a person from receiving emergency feed assistance under this title and disaster assistance for the same 1991 weather damaged crops. Subjects eligible recipients to specified combined payments and benefits limitations. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to implement an emergency forage program to reseed 1991 weather damaged forage crops. Limits: (1) Federal cost-sharing to 50 percent; and (2) individual payments to $3,500. Funds such program through the Commodity Credit Corporation (with a $50,000,000 limit). Directs the Secretary to implement an emergency freshwater aquaculture assistance program to restore 1991 weather damaged structures. Limits: (1) Federal cost sharing to 50 percent; and (2) program costs to $5,000,000. Title II: Emergency Crop Loss Assistance - Subtitle A: Annual Crops - Directs the Secretary to make 1991 disaster payments to producers of wheat, feed grains, upland cotton, extra long staple cotton, rice, peanuts, sugar, tobacco, oilseeds, and other nonprogram crops. Extends crop quality reduction disaster assistance through the 1991 crop year. Reduces disaster assistance payments in relation to Federal crop insurance payments. Requires producers to obtain Federal crop insurance for 1992 in order to be eligible for disaster payments and other specified assistance for 1991 crop losses. Sets forth exempted circumstances. Requires the Secretary to announce within a specified time the conditions for establishing a 1991 farm yield for forage-use-crops. Limits assistance under this subtitle to $100,000. Prohibits double payments on replanted acreage. Authorizes: (1) the substitution of crop insurance program yields for 1991 disaster assistance eligibility purposes; and (2) the Secretary to determine a de minimis yield for each crop eligible for reduced yield disaster payments. Subtitle B: Administrative Provisions - Directs the Secretary to make full disaster assistance available as soon as possible. Subtitle C: Sense of Congress - Expresses the sense of the Congress regarding disaster payments' purposes of preserving farm livelihoods and the financial health of rural communities. Title III: Other Emergency Provisions - Directs the Secretary to provide loan guarantees through the Rural Development Insurance Fund to rural businesses (including Indian tribes) who have suffered 1991 disaster damage. Limits: (1) individual guarantees to 90 percent of $500,000; and (2) aggregate guarantees to $200,000,000. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to authorize temporary crop acreage base shifting.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1991
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, during the five-year period beginning on October 1, 1991, to conduct a rural mobile health care clinic program in States in which significant numbers of veterans reside in rural areas. Makes eligible for such mobile health care veterans otherwise eligible for veterans' health care who reside at least 100 miles from the nearest Department of Veterans Affairs health-care facility. Requires the Secretary to begin operation of at least three mobile health care clinics in each fiscal year of the program. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress an evaluation of the program. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 through 1996.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1991
Prohibits the use of appropriated funds for the export, or the licensing for export, to South Korea of technology for coproduction of F-16 aircraft until at least 30 days after the Congress has received a specified memorandum of understanding. Provides for an extension of the congressional review period until the President transmits such memorandum to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1991
Military Retirement Equity Act of 1991 - Permits retired veterans with service-connected disabilities to receive reduced retired pay concurrently with veterans' disability compensation, as long as the person's entitlement to such retired pay is based solely on age, length of service, or both. Provides that the amount of the retired pay reduction shall be 100 percent of the veterans' disability compensation paid less the percentage of the veteran's disability rating.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1991
Amends the Arms Export Control Act to declare that certain Presidential certifications made with respect to a sale, export, or agreement required by a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the United States and a foreign government for the coproduction or codevelopment of major defense equipment shall not be deemed to have been received by the Congress, unless the President, before such MOU enters into force, transmitted its text to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1991
Employee Benefits Simplification and Expansion Act of 1991 - Title I: Nondiscrimination Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to employee benefit plans. Redefines the term "highly compensated employee" for pension, profit sharing, and stock bonus plans, etc., purposes. Makes such employee one who is a five-percent owner or who has compensation from the employer in excess of $50,000. Provides a special rule where no employees are treated as highly compensated. Provides that the cost of living adjustment with respect to any calendar year is based on the increase in the applicable index as of the close of the calendar quarter ending September 30 of the preceding calendar year. Requires the rounding of such amounts to the nearest $1,000, except that elective deferrals and elective contributions to simplified employee pensions are to be rounded to the nearest $100. Allows an employer to determine an employee's compensation solely by reference to such employee's base pay. Provides that the minimum participation rule applies only to defined benefit pension plans. Requires such plans to benefit not less than 25 employees, or the greater of 40 percent of all employees or two employees (or if there is only one employee, such employee). Sets forth alternative methods of meeting nondiscrimination requirements for cash or deferred arrangements, including specified contribution and notice requirements. Sets forth alternative methods of satisfying the nondiscrimination test for matching contributions. Revises the method for distributing excess contributions to highly compensated employees. Title II: Distributions - Allows distributions from qualified pension plans to be rolled over tax-free to an individual retirement account or another qualified plan or annuity. Eliminates five-year forward averaging for lump-sum distributions from qualified plans. Requires certain tax-free distributions to be made in the form of a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer to an eligible individual retirement plan. Sets forth administrative requirements in making such distributions. Requires distributions to be made from qualified plans by April 1 of the calendar year following the later of: (1) the calendar year in which the employee attains age 70; or (2) the calendar year in which the employee retires. (Present law requires such distributions no later than April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the employee attains age 70 1/2.) Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Revises the definition of a leased employee to include one whose services are performed under the control of a service recipient, instead of one whose services are historically performed by employees. Replaces the 59 1/2- and 70 1/2-year age requirement with 59- and 70-year age requirements for specified pension plans. Eliminates the special aggregation rules that apply to plans maintained by owner-employees that do not apply to other qualified plans. Makes the 150 percent current liability limitation on the deduction allowed for employer contributions to qualified pension plans inapplicable to multi-employer plans. Repeals the present law annual valuation requirement for such plans and applies the prior law requirement that valuations be performed at least every three years. Sets forth affiliation requirements for employers jointly maintaining a voluntary employees' beneficiary association. Provides that compensation, in the case of a governmental plan, includes any amount which is contributed by the employer pursuant to a salary reduction agreement and which is not includible in the gross income of an employee under cafeteria plans, cash or deferred arrangements, tax-exempt organization or public school annuities, State or local government plans, or deferred compensation plans of State and local governments and tax-exempt organizations. Makes the following limitations inapplicable to plans maintained by State and local governments and certain tax-exempt organizations: (1) excess benefit limitations; (2) compensation limitation on benefits; and (3) limitations on disability and survivor benefits. Allows government plan employers to revoke the grandfather election on the limitation to equal accrued benefits. Modifies provisions relating to simplified employee pensions. Increases the number of allowable participants for salary reduction arrangements from 25 to 100. Allows participation after one year of service (currently, three years of service is required). Repeals the requirement that at least 50 percent of eligible employees participate in a salary reduction arrangement. Eliminates certain requirements regarding contributions on behalf of disabled employees. Allows rural cooperative plans which include cash or deferred arrangements to make distributions to participants after attainment of age 59. Includes reports of pension and annuity payments in information returns and payee statements. Eliminates reports of designated distributions from the scope of the $25 per day penalty. Provides a $10 reporting threshold for designated distributions. Makes tax-exempt organizations eligible for cash or deferred arrangement pension plans.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1991
United States-China Act of 1991 - Prohibits the extension for a 12-month period beginning July 3, 1992, of nondiscriminatory treatment (most-favored-nation treatment) to China under the Trade Act of 1974, unless the President submits to the Congress a specified report stating that China has: (1) accounted for and released prisoners who have been detained and imprisoned as a result of the nonviolent expression of their political beliefs; (2) ceased exporting to the United States products manufactured by convict or forced labor; (3) ceased the supply of military arms to the Khmer Rouge; and (4) adhered to the Joint Declaration with the United Kingdom on Hong Kong. Requires such report to state whether China has made significant progress in: (1) engaging in high-level discussions on human rights issues; (2) preventing gross violations of such rights (including in Tibet); (3) terminating harassment of Chinese citizens in the United States; (4) ensuring access of international human rights monitoring groups to prisoners; (5) providing protection of U.S. intellectual property rights; (6) providing U.S. exporters access to Chinese markets by lowering tariffs, removing nontariff barriers, and increasing the purchase of U.S. goods and services; and (7) adopting a national policy consistent with specified missile, nuclear, and chemical and biological control agreements. Terminates most-favored-nation trade status for China unless the President certifies to the Congress that it has not transferred ballistic missiles or missile launchers for the M-9 or M-11 weapon systems to Syria, Iran, or Pakistan. Requires the President, if he determines such transfers to have occurrred, to: (1) notify the Congress; and (2) terminate most-favored-nation treatment for Chinese products.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1991
Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act of 1991 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from diminishing existing allocations of spectrum (available radio frequencies) to the amateur radio service after January 1, 1991. Requires the FCC to provide replacement spectrum to the service for any frequency reallocation after such date.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1991
Veterans' Hospice Services Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a pilot program to: (1) assess the feasibility and desirability of furnishing hospice care to terminally ill veterans; and (2) determine the most efficient and effective means of furnishing such care. Directs the Secretary to designate 15 to 30 Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities for such demonstration projects. Requires the Secretary to ensure that: (1) Department medical facilities conducting such projects include both urban and rural area facilities; (2) the full range of affiliation between medical facilities of the Department and medical schools is represented by the facilities selected to conduct such projects; and (3) such facilities vary in the number of beds they operate and maintain. Allows such hospice care to be accomplished by Department medical facilities and personnel, by contract where inpatient services are provided by Department medical facilities, or by contract where inpatient services are provided by a non-Department medical facility. Allows such inpatient care to be provided at a facility not designated in the contract when the provision of such care at such other facility is necessary under the circumstances. Limits the amount paid for hospice care programs under this Act to the equivalent of hospice care payments under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. Allows the Secretary to pay in excess of such amounts for hospice care when the Secretary determines, on a case-by-case basis, that: (1) the furnishing of such care is necessary and appropriate; and (2) the amount paid under Medicare would not compensate the program for the cost of furnishing such care. Directs the Secretary, during the pilot program period, to designate not less than five Department medical facilities at which palliative care is being furnished to terminally ill veterans either by Department personnel and facilities providing such care or by Department personnel monitoring care provided by non-Department facilities. Directs the Secretary to ensure that terminally ill veterans who have been informed of their medical prognosis receive information relating to their eligibility for hospice care and services under Medicare. Directs the Secretary to submit annual reports to the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committees relating to the conduct of the pilot program and the furnishing of hospice care to terminally ill veterans under the demonstration projects. Requires the Secretary to also report to such committees an evaluation and assessment of the hospice care program, including information enabling the committees to fully evaluate the feasibility of furnishing palliative care to terminally ill veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1991
Expresses the condolences of the Senate on the death of the Honorable A. B. "Happy" Chandler a former Senator from Kentucky.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1991
Authorizes the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration to use the rotunda of the Capitol for the unveiling of the portrait bust of President George Bush on June 27, 1991.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1991
Department of Energy Science and Technology Partnership Act - Establishes a program in the Department of Energy (DOE) under which the Secretary of Energy shall encourage departmental laboratories to enter into partnerships for research in: energy efficiency, energy supply, high-performance computing, environmental problems, human health, advanced manufacturing technologies, education and training. Authorizes such partnerships with colleges and universities, industry, and other Federal agencies. Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to establish a career path program for the recruitment of promising and gifted employees of DOE's national laboratories to serve in critical and other positions as a stage in realizing the full potential that such employees contribute to the strategic defense and energy security posture of the United States. Increases the number of Under Secretaries in DOE from one to three, and the number of Assistant Secretaries from eight to 11.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1991
Designates October 4 through 10, 1992, as National Customer Service Week.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1991
Declares that the Congress recognizes the support and efforts of the National Committee for the Airborne Museum at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Encourages U.S. citizen awareness and participation in the development of the Museum project in honor of all those who served in the airborne and special operations forces of the U.S. Army.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the treatment of rental and nonrental real estate activities under the limitations on losses from passive activities.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1991
Designates June 1991 as National Forest System Month.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1991
Amortization of Intangibles Clarification Act of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the amortization of customer based, market share, and similar intangible items for purposes of the depreciation deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for a three-year credit period for a percentage of the investment in acid rain control property installed to comply with sulfur dioxide emission limitations under the Clean Air Act. Allows the use of tax-exempt facility bonds to finance acid rain control property. Allows a business credit for a percentage of the expenditures paid or incurred for coal cleaning minerals used to remove or reduce the sulfur content of coal. Excludes from gross income the value of clean air allowances allocated to the taxpayer under the Clean Air Act. Allows a 60-month amortization of acid rain control property.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1991
Promotion of Democracy and Respect for Human Rights in Guatemala Act of 1991 - Prohibits the provision of unobligated military assistance and all military assistance for FY 1992 and 1993 to Guatemala until the President reports to the Congress that: (1) the Government of Guatemala has conducted investigations and prosecutions of those responsible for specified murders; (2) military harassment and assassinations with respect to human rights activists have ceased and such activists may freely carry out activities; (3) respect for rights of certain freedoms and political pluralism have increased; (4) internationally recognized workers' rights have been extended to Guatemalan workers; (5) the Guatemalan Government is prosecuting members of the police force who are responsible for murders and disappearances of street children; and (6) the Guatemalan Government has put an end to the practice of forced civil patrol duty. Provides that unobligated economic support fund (ESF) assistance and ESF assistance for FY 1992 and 1993, development assistance, and assistance under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 for Guatemala may be used only by civilian agencies and nongovernmental organizations and shall be limited to assistance for: (1) the Guatemalan human rights ombudsman; (2) programs that address poverty and basic human needs; (3) fiscal administration; (4) the National Reconciliation Commission; and (5) the improvement of the performance of democratic institutions or the promotion of political pluralism. Prohibits the use of such assistance for partisan political purposes or as an instrument of counterinsurgency. Makes restrictions on the use of such assistance inapplicable if the President reports to the Congress that the Guatemalan Government has: (1) conducted investigations and prosecutions of those responsible for the murders and mistreatment of named individuals; and (2) made substantial progress towards a fiscally responsible tax policy and improved fiscal administration. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should encourage other nations to cease the provision of military assistance to Guatemala until conditions under this Act have been met. Requires the President to report biennially to specified congressional committees on: (1) countries, companies, and individuals engaged in the sale or export of military equipment to the Guatemalan Government; and (2) the nature and type of such equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1991
Small Town Environmental Planning Act of 1991 - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a small community environmental compliance planning program for facilities that are owned or operated by, or under contract with, a small community, or with respect to which an environmental compliance activity is dependent. Provides for voluntary participation in such program. Requires the Administrator to publish a list of requirements under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Clean Air Act, and the Toxic Substances Control Act to be addressed in small community environmental compliance plans. Provides for the annual review of such list. Directs the Administrator to: (1) publish guidelines for small communities or States responsible for the development of such plans; and (2) promulgate regulations setting forth the requirements for submission of such plans. Sets forth plan format requirements. Requires regulations, at a minimum, to: (1) identify areas of environmental regulation where there are significant problems in achieving compliance or noncompliance with implementation schedules under such Acts; and (2) estimate the amount of user fees necessary for the financing of environmental compliance activities at treatment or disposal facilities owned, operated, or under contract with small communities and assess the ability of residents to pay such fees. Directs small communities participating in the program to prepare plans. Authorizes State agencies to prepare plans for small communities without sufficient resources to do so. Sets forth provisions concerning plan approvals and modifications. Requires the Administrator to provide for a mechanism under which a small community may apply for a waiver with respect to regulations issued under the Acts identified by this Act. Permits the Administrator to waive requirements where the small community demonstrates that compliance with regulations is not necessary to protect human health and the environment. Requires the Administrator, as part of the program, to: (1) notify small communities of the regulations through methods providing information to the greatest number of small communities; and (2) implement a technical assistance program to aid small communities in the preparation of plans. Provides for waivers to plan requirements, as necessary, and for the assessment of administrative penalties against facilities failing to meet requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1991
Amends the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 to direct the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to issue regulations requiring the marking of exotic birds. Authorizes the: (1) sale of captive exotic birds only if they are properly marked; and (2) marking of such birds if the owner can show that they have been legally acquired. Requires persons who sell such birds to retain sales records for a prescribed period and to provide copies of such records to the Secretary upon request. Exempts common canaries, cockatiels, budgerigars, or other qualifying species from such marking requirements. Authorizes the Secretary to issue licenses to persons who transfer or import wild exotic birds. Sets forth: (1) circumstances under which such birds can be imported; and (2) specified reporting and recordkeeping requirements. Makes it unlawful for any person to: (1) import, transfer, possess, or sell any exotic bird unless such person is properly licensed and such bird is properly marked; and (2) commit, attempt to commit, or solicit another to commit, a violation of such requirements. Authorizes a person to petition the Secretary with respect to any finding, determination, or other action authorized by this Act. Sets forth both civil and criminal penalties. Sets forth provisions relating to: (1) inspections and seizures and dispositions of such birds; (2) suspension of licenses; and (3) imposition of fees.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
Geologic Mapping Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish and maintain a comprehensive nationwide geologic mapping program, with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) as the lead Federal agency. Sets forth program objectives. Mandates: (1) participation by the USGS, the individual State Geological Surveys, and scientists from the academic community; and (2) appointment of a geologic mapping advisory group. Requires that the program include Federal, support, State, and education geologic mapping components. Sets forth objectives for each component, including the support component contributing to national paleontologic, geochronologic, geophysical-map, and geochemical-map data bases. Requires that the USGS prepare an implementation plan covering specified matters. Requires the USGS to establish a national geologic-map data base to be a national archive that includes all maps and data bases developed under this Act. Declares that geologic maps contributed to the National Archives should be standardized so that information can be assimilated, exchanged, and compared efficiently and accurately. Authorizes appropriations for each component.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
Telephone Consumer Assistance Act - Directs: (1) the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to establish a system for registration by providers of pay-per-call (PPC) services; and (2) the FTC and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a system for oversight and regulation of PPC services to protect consumers. Sets forth minimum standards for PPC services which require that such services: (1) include an introductory disclosure message that describes the service being provided and the maximum charge per minute or per call and other charges, and informs the caller of the option to hang up before the end of the introductory message without incurring any charge; (2) in fact allow the caller to hang up before the end of such message without charge; (3) after the institution of any increase in charges for the service, disable any bypass mechanism which allows frequent callers to avoid listening to the complete introductory disclosure message for a period sufficient to give frequent callers adequate notice of the increase; (4) stop the assessment of time-based charges immediately upon disconnection by the caller; (5) only be offered from certain telephone number prefixes; and (6) not be aimed at children under age 16, except in the case of a bona fide educational service. Bars common carriers from either disconnecting a subscriber's telephone service because of nonpayment of charges for any PPC service or contracting with a PPC service provider for carriage of such service if the provider has not registered with the FTC. Requires common carriers that provide local exchange services, where technically feasible, to offer telephone subscribers: (1) the option of blocking access from their telephone number to all prefixes used by PPC services at no charge for a specified period or at a reasonable fee; and (2) in combination with a blocking option, the option of presubscribing to specific PPC services for a reasonable one-time charge. Requires common carriers that engage in billing and collection of charges for PPC services to: (1) give telephone subscribers the option of cancelling charges for PPC services in instances of unauthorized use or misunderstanding of such charges at the time of use, subject to reasonable limitations; (2) include, in the first billing to telephone subscribers subscribing to a new telephone number and at least annually therafter, a disclosure statement that sets forth all rights and obligations held by the subscriber and the carrier with respect to the use and payment for PPC services and which describes the applicable blocking options; (3) display any PPC service charges on a telephone subscriber's bill separately from the parts relating to local and long distance telephone charges, including the name of the service, the amount of the charge, and the date, time, and duration of the call; (4) obtain from the provider, in instances when such carriers contract for the collection and distribution of charges by PPC services that solicit charitable contributions, proof of tax exempt status; (5) withhold payment of charges to any PPC provider where the carrier reasonably believes that such provider is not in compliance with rules or regulations issued under this Act; and (6) have the right to recover such carrier's costs of complying with specified provisions of this Act from the PPC provider. Sets forth requirements concerning the advertising of PPC services. Specifies: (1) matters for FCC and FTC consideration in conducting rulemaking proceedings, such as whether a PPC service should be required to automatically disconnect a call after one full cycle of the program or if no activity occurs within a reasonable, specified time period; (2) that this Act shall have no effect on election laws, dial-a-porn prohibitions, gambling laws, or unfair trade laws, and shall not preclude any State from enacting and enforcing additional and complementary oversight and regulatory systems or procedures, or both; (3) that any violation of FCC regulations issued under this Act shall be treated as a violation of the rules and regulations under the Communications Act of 1934, subjecting violators to specified criminal and forfeiture penalties; and (4) that any violation of FTC rules prescribed under this Act shall be treated as a violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act regarding unfair or deceptive acts or practices, subjecting violators to penalties under such Act. Authorizes State attorneys general to seek damages or other appropriate relief against PPC service providers believed to have engaged, or be engaging, in acts which violate any FTC or FCC rule or regulation under this Act which threaten the interests of residents of the State. Grants the Federal district courts exclusive jurisdiction over such civil actions. Requires the State to serve prior written notice of any such action upon the FTC or FCC, as appropriate. Grants the FTC or FCC the right to intervene, be heard, and file petitions for appeal. Sets forth provisions with respect to venue, investigatory powers of the State attorney general, effect on State court proceedings, and other limitations. Requires the FTC to: (1) conduct a study of the acquisition and use by PPC service providers of callers' telephone numbers to generate, compile, and sell or lease lists of such numbers, investigate the extent to which such numbers are obtained with or without the knowledge or consent of the caller, and identify methods by which callers could be given the opportunity to grant or withhold that consent; and (2) report to the Congress and the FCC on the results of such study, together with any recommendations for changes to prevent abuses.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit the investment tax credit in connection with depreciable solar energy property and geothermal property against the taxpayer's entire regular tax liability and minimum tax liability.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
Designates June 15, 1991, as Magna Carta Day.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1991
Veterans' Claims Administrative Equity Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, if a claim for compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation, or pension is not decided by the Secretary within 270 days of the date on which the claim is filed, to pay benefits in acordance with the claim until the claim is adjudicated. Requires the Secretary, in cases in which a claim is denied, the claimant files a Notice of Disagreement with the Secretary, and the Secretary does not certify the case to the Board of Veterans' Appeals within 270 days of the date of the filing of the Notice, to pay the benefits for which the claim was filed. Directs the Secretary, whenever the Board or the Court of Veterans Appeals remands a case to the Secretary involving a claim for benefits, to pay benefits in accordance with the claim retroactive to the first day of the first month after the month in which the decision appealed from was made. Requires the Secretary, whenever a veteran is determined to be eligible for vocational rehabilitation and counseling services and is not interviewed by the Secretary within 60 days of such determination, to arrange for such services to be provided through an accredited agency on a fee basis. Sets forth provisions applying this Act to claims filed before this Act's enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1991
Condemns the murder of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and others in the bomb explosion on May 21, 1991. Expresses regret over the deaths of Gandhi and other victims of election violence in India. Offers condolences to Gandhi's widow and children and to the people of India. Stands in solidarity with the Indian people in their effort to sustain the most successful democratic tradition in the developing world.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1991
Support for Democracy, Human Rights, and Fair Trade in China Act of 1991 - Prohibits most-favored-nation treatment for Chinese products. Terminates such prohibition upon the President's certification to the Congress that China: (1) has ceased committing violations of internationally recognized human rights; (2) has ceased persecution of pro-democracy movement members; (3) permits unrestricted emigration; (4) has ceased religious persecution in China and Tibet; (5) has provided adequate protection of U.S. intellectual property rights, opened access to markets, increased purchases of U.S. goods and services, and has not attempted to hide the origin of goods manufactured in China; (6) has demonstrated its good faith participation in international efforts to control the proliferation of sophisticated military weapons and chemical, biological, and nuclear technologies; and (7) has ceased exporting products manufactured by forced or convict labor.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1991
Designates July 2, 1991, as National Literacy Day.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1991
Lumbee Recognition Act - Extends Federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of Cheraw Indians of North Carolina. Authorizes any group of Indians in Robeson or adjoining counties, North Carolina, whose members are not enrolled in the Tribe to petition under specified provisions of the Code of Federal Regulations for acknowledgment of tribal existence. Makes the Tribe and its members eligible for all services and benefits provided to Indians because of their status as federally recognized Indians except that members of the Tribe shall not be entitled to such services until funds have been appropriated for such purposes. Deems members of the Tribe residing in Robeson and adjoining counties to be resident on or near an Indian reservation for purposes of the delivery of such services. Directs the Secretary of the Interior (the Secretary) and the Secretary of Health and Human Services: (1) upon verification of a tribal roll, to develop a determination of needs and a budget required to provide services to eligible members of the Tribe; and (2) to submit a written statement of such needs and budget with the first budget request submitted to the Congress after the fiscal year in which the tribal roll is verified. Authorizes the Tribe to plan and administer programs under Federal provisions pursuant to an annual written funding agreement between the Tribe and the Secretaries (in lieu of authority provided under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act) specifying: (1) the services to be provided, and procedures for modifying budget allocations, within any fiscal year; and (2) the responsibility of the Secretary for, and procedure to be used in, auditing the expenditures of the Tribe. Directs the Lumbee Tribe to organize for its common welfare and to adopt a constitution and bylaws. Directs the Secretary to assist the Tribe in the drafting of a constitution and bylaws, the conduct of an election with respect to such constitution, and the reorganization of the Government of the Tribe under any such constitution and bylaws. Declares that, until the Tribe adopts a constitution and prior to such adoption, the opening of the tribal roll for a specified period to allow the enrollment of any individual previously enrolled in another Indian group or tribe in Robeson or adjoining counties who meet specified requirements, the membership of the Tribe shall consist (subject to review by the Secretary) of every individual who is named in the tribal membership roll that is in effect on the date of enactment of this Act. Requires the State of North Carolina to exercise jurisdiction over all criminal offenses committed, and all civil actions that arise, on specified tribal lands in North Carolina. Makes such Tribe eligible for certain agricultural loans to acquire land within reservations with respect to lands within the exterior boundaries of Robeson and adjoining counties, North Carolina. Authorizes appropriations, but requires proposals for expenditures of such funds to be submitted by the Tribe to specified congressional committees prior to any expenditure of such funds by the Tribe.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1991
Designates the week beginning July 28, 1992, as National Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1991
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Government of Kuwait, Kuwaiti firms, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and any other U.S. agency or entity should: (1) award contracts for the rebuilding of Kuwait with a preference given to supplies or goods mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States and engineering, consulting, and construction services of firms established and doing business in the United States; and (2) encourage the participation of U.S. small and disadvantaged businesses, including minority- and women-owned businesses, in such contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1991
Designates August 6, 1991, as National Neighborhood Crime Watch Day.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1991
Designates October 1991 as National Down Syndrome Awareness Month.