United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1993
Product Liability Fairness Act - Declares that this Act applies to any civil action brought against a manufacturer or product seller, on any theory, for harm caused by a product. Excludes actions brought for loss or damage to a product or for commercial loss. States that: (1) this Act supersedes any State law only to the extent that this Act establishes an applicable rule of law; and (2) the provisions of title I shall not supersede or preempt any applicable State or Federal law. Title I: Expedited Judgments and Alternative Dispute Resolution Procedures - Sets forth expedited settlement procedures, including: (1) the option of allowing either the claimant or the defendant to offer a judgment for a specific dollar amount as complete satisfaction of the claim; and (2) alternative dispute resolution (ADR) procedures. Establishes penalties for: (1) parties who refused an offer and did worse at trial; and (2) a defendant who refuses ADR and then loses at trial. Title II: Standards for Civil Actions - States that a person seeking to recover for harm caused by a product may bring a civil action against the product's manufacturer or product seller pursuant to applicable State or Federal law, except to the extent such law is inconsistent with this Act. Sets forth uniform standards for: (1) product seller liability; (2) the award of punitive damages; and (3) time limitations on liability. Bars punitive damages if the requirements of specified Federal laws have been met. Entitles an employer or workers' compensation insurer to the right of subrogation against a manufacturer or product seller to recover workers' compensation for harm caused to an employee by a product if a civil suit has been brought under this Act. Provides that each defendant shall only be liable for the amount of noneconomic loss proportionally caused. Provides a complete defense, in any civil action in which all defendants are manufacturers or product sellers, in cases where the claimant was under the influence of alcohol or drugs and was more than 50 percent responsible for the harm.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1993
Child Safety Protection Act - Requires warning labels on the packaging of children's toys and games with small parts, balloons, small balls, or marbles. Requires bicycle helmets to meet Consumer Product Safety Commission standards.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1993
Teamwork for Employees and Management Act of 1993 - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to allow employers to establish, assist, maintain, or participate in an organization or entity in which employees participate to discuss matters of mutual interest (including issues of quality, productivity, and efficiency) if such organizations or entities cannot negotiate, enter into, or amend collective bargaining agreements.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1993
Radio Free Asia Act of 1993 - Amends the Board for International Broadcasting Act of 1973 to authorize the Board for International Broadcasting to designate one organization constituted on the model of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Incorporated, to carry out radio broadcasting to China, Tibet, Burma (a.k.a. Myanmar), Cambodia, Laos, North Korea, and Vietnam. Designates such broadcasts as Radio Free China. Increases the number of Board members. Limits terms of Board members who are presidential appointees to three years. Sets forth additional provisions concerning membership terms.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1993
Marine Navigation Safety Improvement Act of 1993 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish within the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund the Marine Navigation Safety Account. Funds such Account with transfers of specified amounts from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund. Directs that amounts in the Account be available to carry out the programs and activities of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the Department of Commerce relating to nautical charting and marine navigational safety programs as specified.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1993
Federal Mandates Relief Act of 1993 - Prohibits State and local governments from being obligated to take any action required by any new Federal law, unless: (1) all expenses associated with such obligation are fully funded by the Federal Government; and (2) each Federal agency that has authority to administer a Federal mandate publishes a schedule of compliance costs. Requires each bill or joint resolution considered in the Congress to be accompanied by a report estimating the costs to State and local governments that any Federal mandate in such legislation would impose.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1993
Microenterprise and Asset Development Act - Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to exclude from AFDC eligibility determinations certain income and resources that are to be used for education, training, and employability purposes. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report to the Congress on a revision of the AFDC limit on automobiles in order to increase the employability of AFDC recipients. Provides for State agency exclusion from AFDC eligibility determinations of certain resources related to microenterprise initiatives by AFDC recipients towards self-sufficiency. Requires State agencies to ensure that caseworkers advise AFDC recipients of the option for microenterprises. Provides for the inclusion of microenterprise training and activities in the JOBS program under SSA title IV part F (Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training Program).
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1993
Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act - Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prescribe rules regarding telemarketing activities and prohibiting fraudulent telemarketing acts or practices. Sets forth provisions concerning actions by States and by private persons to enforce compliance with such regulations. Provides for the establishment of a clearinghouse for inquiries made to Federal agencies concerning telemarketing. Amends the Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978 to permit a financial institution, upon application of a Government authority, to delay notifying a customer of the release of a customer's records if, by court order, it is found that notifying the customer will result in the dissipation or destruction of assets subject to seizure under any U.S. law by reason of having been obtained in violation of law. Amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to authorize the FTC to bring a criminal contempt action for violations of orders obtained in false advertising cases under such Act. Directs the FTC to conduct a study of unfair or deceptive acts or practices engaged in by life care homes.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for the portion of employer social security taxes paid with respect to employee cash tips. Makes such credit part of the general business credit.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent, and to increase to 100 percent, the deduction for the health insurance costs of self-employed individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Authorization of Appropriations Title II: Reducing the Burden of Federal Federal Paperwork on the Public Title III: Enhancing Federal Agency Responsibility and Accountability for Reducing the Burden of Federal Paperwork Title IV: Enhancing Government Responsibility and Accountability for Reducing the Burden of Federal Paperwork Title V: Enhancing Agency Responsibility for Sharing and Disseminating Public Information Title VI: Additional Government Information Management Responsibility Title VII: Effective Dates Paperwork Reduction Act of 1993 - Title I: Authorization of Appropriations - Amends the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 to authorize appropriations to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. Title II: Reducing the Burden of Federal Paperwork on the Public - Applies the Act to all federally sponsored paperwork. Requires a Government-wide paperwork reduction goal of at least five percent and individual agency goals that aggregate to the Government-wide goal. Title III: Enhancing Federal Agency Responsibility and Accountability for Reducing the Burden of Federal Paperwork - Makes the senior official charged with carrying out the responsibilities of a Federal agency under the Act the head of a separate office with qualified staff responsible for assuring agency compliance with requirements under the Act. Requires each agency to: (1) prepare estimates of the burden that will result from proposed collections of information; (2) develop a strategic Information Resources Management Plan; and (3) establish oversight procedures for agency information systems. Requires each agency head to establish a certification process for the review of each information collection request before it is submitted to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval. Title IV: Enhancing Government Responsibility and Accountability for Reducing the Burden of Federal Paperwork - Makes the OMB Director responsible for ensuring that all information collection requests display an estimate of the paperwork burden for each response. Requires OMB procedures in order for agencies to estimate such burden. Requires OMB pilot projects to test approaches to improve information management practices and related activities. Reduces the time afforded the OMB Director for approving a routine agency request to collect information. Provides for greater participation by the public and Federal agencies in the review of proposed paperwork burdens generated by agency information requests. Requires the OMB Director to make publicly available any decision to disapprove a collection of information requirement contained in an agency rule, together with the reasons for such decision. Provides protection for whistleblowers of unauthorized Federal paperwork burdens. Provides for expedited OMB review of an agency information request with a reduced paperwork burden. Title V: Enhancing Agency Responsibility for Sharing and Disseminating Public Information - Provides for Government-wide standards for sharing and disseminating public information. Imposes certain responsibilities on Federal agencies for sharing and disseminating public information. Abolishes the Federal Information Locator System established in the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs and replaces it with a system in each agency for providing public access via electronic and other means to a comprehensive inventory of agency information dissemination products. Title VI: Additional Government Information Management Responsibility - Revises the statistical policy and coordination functions of the OMB Director. Requires the OMB Director to: (1) establish an interagency working group on statistical policy to coordinate agency statistical activities; and (2) provide training in the statistical policy functions of the chief statistician to Federal employees. Provides for the use of electronic information collection and dissemination techniques to reduce the Federal paperwork burden. Requires the OMB Director's annual report to the Congress to list any increased Federal paperwork burdens and describe each agency's plans to implement the applicable policies, standards, and guidelines under the Act. Requires the OMB Director to develop a plan for meeting the automatic data processing needs of the Federal Government in accordance with the Act and certain requirements of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949. Title VII: Effective Dates - Sets forth the effective dates for this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow farmers' cooperatives to include gains or losses from the sale or other disposition of assets in net earnings from business done with or for patrons if the assets were used to facilitate the conduct of business.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1993
Title I: Improved Bankruptcy Administration Title II: Commercial Issues in Bankruptcy Title III: Consumer Bankruptcy Issues Title IV: Bankruptcy Review Commission Title V: Technical Corrections Title VI: Severability; Effective Date; Application of Amendments Bankruptcy Amendments Act of 1993 - Title I: Improved Bankruptcy Administration - Amends Federal bankruptcy law with respect to expedited hearings on a motion to lift an automatic stay; (2) the expedited filing of plans under chapters 11 and 12; and (3) expedited procedure for reaffirmation of debts. (Sec. 105) Permits bankruptcy court judges to hold status conferences, and to issue case limitations and conditions at such conferences. Amends the Federal judicial code to mandate that the judicial council of a circuit establish a bankruptcy appellate panel service composed of district bankruptcy judges in the circuit, subject to the consent of all parties. Sets forth appeals guidelines. (Sec. 106) Permits bankruptcy administrators (in a State in which the bankruptcy system is administered by a Bankruptcy Administrator instead of a U.S. Trustee) to preside at meetings of creditors and equity security holders, and to examine the debtor at creditors' meetings. (Sec. 107) Amends the Bankruptcy Code to include within the definition of "person" pension benefit guarantors and legal or beneficial owners of an asset of an eligible deferred compensation plan or of a governmental employee pension benefit plan (thus enabling such persons, State pension funds, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation to serve on creditors' committees). (Sec. 108) Revises current guidelines to permit increases in the incentive compensation for bankruptcy trustees. (Sec. 109) Increases the dollar limitations and debt limits applicable to specified bankruptcy procedures (thus enlarging the range of debtors eligible to repay debts over a period from regular income Chapter 13 debtors, and accounting for inflation since 1978). (Sec. 110) Conforms the premerger notification provisions of the Bankruptcy Code to the requirements for antitrust review of transactions under the Clayton Act. (Sec. 111) Entitles members of Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization committees to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses. (Sec. 112) Continues through FY 1998 Chapter 12 bankruptcy provisions concerning family farmers. (Sec. 113) Directs the Judicial Conference of the United States to report to the Congress on efforts to automate and computerize the bankruptcy courts and provide necessary information about the commencement of the case in bankruptcy. (Sec. 115) Treats as an administrative expense of an estate in bankruptcy minimum funding contributions to an employee pension benefit plan for which the debtor is liable which accrue on or after the date of the commencement of the case in bankruptcy. (Sec. 116) Requires the U.S. trustee, at the conclusion of any meeting of creditors or equity security holders, to examine the debtor orally and record his or her knowledge of the consequences of filing for bankruptcy. Title II: Commercial Issues in Bankruptcy - Establishes the legal parameters under which a business debtor (or a party in interest) may elect to convert the case to expedited bankruptcy proceedings customized to small businesses. (Sec. 202) Sets forth automatic stay guidelines regarding proceedings against a debtor's single asset real estate. (Sec. 203) States that the right of a party with a security interest in certain aircraft equipment, maritime vessels, or railroad rolling stock equipment to take possession of such equipment or vessels in compliance with an equipment security agreement is not affected by the automatic stay or property use or sale provisions of the bankruptcy code or by any injunctive power of the bankruptcy court, except in specific circumstances. (Sec. 204) Requires a trustee, under Chapter 11, to perform the debtor's obligations which arise pursuant to an order for relief under an unexpired lease of personal property until the lease is assumed or rejected. (Sec. 205) Sets forth guidelines for: (1) the protection of assignees of executory contracts and unexpired leases approved by court order in cases reversed on appeal; (2) the protection of security interests in post-petition rents; (3) the withholding of post-petition debtor's income for certain retirement plan loan repayments; (4) indenture trustee compensation; (5) return of goods; (6) a debtor's interests in the proceeds of money order agreements; (7) liability limitations with respect to noninsider transferees for avoided transfers; (8) executory contracts for airport gate leases and (9) injunctions requiring Chapter 11 debtors to pay insurance benefits to retired employees and (10) the nondischargeability of credit loans to pay nondischargeable taxes. Title III: Consumer Bankruptcy Issues - Permits a Chapter 13 debtor to cure a home mortgage default on its principal residence before its foreclosure sale. (Sec. 302) Declares certain criminal fines nondischargeable under a Chapter 13 proceeding. (Sec. 303) Provides that a petition in bankruptcy does not operate as an automatic stay with respect to an action or proceeding for: (1) the establishment of paternity; or (2) the establishment or modification of an order for child or spousal maintenance or support. Includes within the priority list of expenses and claims that are to be paid by the bankrupt estate any claims for child or spousal support pursuant to a court order. Declares that a debtor in bankruptcy may not avoid a judicial lien that secures a debt for child and spousal support or maintenance. Prohibits a bankruptcy trustee from avoiding a transfer that was a bona fide payment of a debt for child or spousal support or maintenance pursuant to a court order. Permits child support creditors to appear and intervene without charge, and without meeting any special local court requirement for attorney appearances, in any bankruptcy proceeding in any bankruptcy or district court upon filing a court form detailing the status of the child support debt. (Sec. 304) Sets forth civil penalties for the negligent or fraudulent preparation of bankruptcy petitions by bankruptcy petition preparers for compensation. (Sec. 306) Declares that a trustee's plan may not modify the claim of a person holding a primary or a junior security interest in real property or a manufactured home that is the debtor's principal residence, except a junior security interest claim where the interest was undersecured at the time it attached (to the extent that it remains undersecured). (Sec. 307) Sets forth additional conditions on the ability of a creditor to seek satisfaction of a debt from a codebtor or a debt stayed under Chapter 13. (Sec. 309) Authorizes a bankruptcy court to award professional fees according to prescribed guidelines for specified bankruptcy-related services. Title IV: Bankruptcy Review Commission - National Bankruptcy Review Commission Act - Establishes the National Bankruptcy Review Commission to investigate and report to the Congress, the Chief Justice, and the President on issues relating to business bankruptcies. (Sec. 410) Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Technical Corrections - Makes technical and conforming corrections to the Bankruptcy Code. Title VI: Effective Date; Application of Amendments - Sets forth the effective date of this Act. Makes it inapplicable to bankruptcy cases commenced before its enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1993
Federal Crop Insurance Fairness Act - Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act with respect to: (1) yield averages; (2) late planting coverage; (3) prevented planting coverage; and (4) de minimis yield penalties.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1993
Hospital Cooperative Agreement Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish a demonstration program of up to ten grants for collaboration among hospitals regarding the provision of expensive, capital-intensive medical technology or other highly resource-intensive services. Requires that projects be designed to demonstrate a reduction in costs, an increase in access to care, and improvements in the quality of care. Allows grant funds to be used only to facilitate collaboration and not to purchase facilities or capital equipment. Requires at least three of the grants to be used to demonstrate how such agreements may be used to increase access to or quality of care in rural areas. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make the low-income housing credit permanent. Modifies provisions concerning unused housing credit carryovers by States to allow States to carry over more unused credits from year to year. Provides that a unit shall not fail to be treated as low-income because it is occupied by students or persons enrolled in job training programs under the Job Training Partnership Act. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to waive: (1) any recapture of credit (required to be included in tax) in the case of any de minimis error in complying with tests for qualified low-income housing projects; or (2) any annual recertification of tenant income if the entire building is occupied by low-income tenants. Determines the adjusted basis of any building (for purposes of the low-income housing credit) by taking into account the adjusted basis of the property used in community activity facilities if: (1) such facilities are designed to serve individuals meeting income requirements for the housing project; and (2) not more than 20 percent of the aggregate eligible basis of all buildings in the project is attributable to the aggregate basis of such facilities. Applies at-risk rules to low-income housing credit property that also qualifies for the historic site rehabilitation credit and to qualified lenders. Adds conditions prohibiting discrimination against Section 8 tenants for purposes of meeting extended low-income housing commitments required to receive credits.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Amendment to the Securities Act of 1933 Title II: Amendments to the Investment Company Act of 1940 Small Business Incentive Act of 1993 - Title I: Amendment to the Securities Act of 1933 - Amends the Securities Act of 1933 to increase from $5 million to $10 million the size of small business offerings that are exempt from the registration requirements of the Act. Title II: Amendments to the Investment Company Act of 1940 - Amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to exclude from its definition of "investment company" any issuer all of whose securities are held by certain investors whom the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has determined possess such financial sophistication, net worth, and other specified factors as not to need the protections of such Act. Empowers the SEC to define such "qualified purchasers." Sets forth conditions under which certain business and industrial development companies that are already subject to regulation by the State in which they are organized are exempt from the regulatory constraints of such Act. Increases to $10 million the maximum aggregate amount of proceeds that certain interstate closed-end investment companies may receive from the sale of their outstanding securities and still retain their exempt status under such Act. Expands the definition of "eligible portfolio company" to include any company which does not have total assets in excess of $4 million and capital and surpluses in excess of $2 million. Declares that a "business development company" is not required to make available significant managerial assistance with respect to any eligible portfolio company or any other company that meets certain SEC criteria. Permits a business development company to: (1) include within its mandatory asset threshold the securities of any eligible portfolio company; (2) acquire the securities of an eligible portfolio company from persons other than such portfolio company itself; (3) issue multiple classes of debt without restriction; and (4) issue warrants, options, or rights to subscribe or convert to voting securities either alone or accompanied by debt or equity securities. Provides conditions under which a business development company may: (1) have a minimum asset coverage of 110 percent; and (2) issue or sell any class of senior security representing indebtedness. Requires a business development company to file with the SEC a written evaluation of the risk factors involved in investment due to the nature of the company's capital structure.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1993
Department of Energy National Competitiveness Technology Partnership Act of 1993 - Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to authorize the Secretary of Energy and the directors of departmental laboratories (laboratories operated by or on behalf of the Department of Energy (DOE) or facilities that would be considered to be laboratories under the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980) to enter into any partnership that will enhance the economic, scientific, or technological competitiveness of U.S. industry. Directs the Secretary to develop a multi-year critical technology strategy for each critical technology listed in the National Critical Technologies Report. Authorizes the Secretary and the directors of departmental laboratories to enter into partnerships that build on the core competencies of the laboratories to conduct research, development, demonstration, or commercial application activities in areas listed in the Report or in energy efficiency or supply, high-performance computing, the environment, human health, advanced manufacturing technologies, advanced materials, transportation, space, or quality technologies, or technologies listed in the annual defense critical technologies plan. Requires the Secretary to establish a: (1) Laboratory Partnership Advisory Board within DOE; and (2) program to encourage scientists and engineers from departmental laboratories to serve in the research facilities of governments, educational institutions, and industrial organizations in the United States and foreign countries. Directs the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees on opportunities for minority colleges and universities to participate in DOE or departmental laboratory programs. Requires the Secretary to establish a career path program to recruit employees of the national laboratories to serve in DOE positions. Amends the Federal criminal code and the Federal Procurement Policy Act to make certain post-employment restrictions inapplicable with respect to the national laboratories. Amends the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 to provide for cost-shared projects involving DOE or DOE laboratories and non-Federal entities to test and apply high-performance computing and high-speed networking technologies. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to solicit contract proposals for the deployment of a commercial uranium enrichment plant using the Atomic Vapor Laser Isotope Separation technology. Increases the number of DOE Under Secretaries and Assistant Secretaries. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1993
Payments In Lieu of Taxes Act - Increases Federal payments to local governments for entitlement lands and adjusts such payments for inflation. Exempts any lands conveyed to the United States in exchange for Federal lands.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1993
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, during the three-year period beginning on October 1, 1993, to conduct a rural health-care clinic program in States where significant numbers of veterans reside in areas geographically remote from existing health-care facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Directs the Secretary to commence operation of at least three such clinics in each fiscal year of the program. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on an evaluation of the program. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1993
Agricultural Export Program Protection Act of 1993 - Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to require specified foreign agricultural commodities imported into the United States to carry an end-use certificate. Subjects a person using foreign agricultural commodities in a U.S. agricultural trade program to program suspension or debarment.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1993
Federal Forests Health Recovery Act of 1993 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior (or, with respect to specified lands, the Secretary of Agriculture) to prepare for and undertake or authorize forest health activities to: (1) arrest the deterioration in the health of forests and forest ecosystems on Federal lands; (2) restore and maintain the health of the forests and forest ecosystems that have suffered deteriorated health conditions; or (3) ensure the public safety that is threatened by the deteriorating health of the forests and forest ecosystems. Authorizes the Secretary to offer and award a timber sale as a forest health activity if the sale meets one or more of such objectives. Specifies that no sale shall be precluded because the anticipated total costs of the sale are greater than the anticipated revenues. Requires the Secretary to provide to the public a detailed statement of the determination that the activity meets one or more objective whenever the harvest of live trees is likely to occur in carrying out a forest health activity. Establishes in the Treasury a special fund to be used for forest health activities, activities to maintain healthy forests and forest ecosystems (including tree planting), and other specified activities. Provides for funding of specified Forest Service activities. Specifies that a forest health activity that is not inconsistent with the long-term management goals and objectives of a land management plan for the relevant unit of Federal lands shall not be deemed to be a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Establishes procedures for administrative and district court review of forest health activities. Sets forth provisions regarding budget disclosures, the establishment of advisory boards, and monitoring and reporting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1993
National Triad Program Act - Requires the Director of the National Institute of Justice to conduct a qualitative and quantitative national assessment of: (1) the nature and extent of crimes committed against senior citizens and the effect of such crimes on the victims; (2) the numbers, extent, and impact of violent and nonviolent crimes against senior citizens and the extent of unreported crime; (3) the collaborative needs of law enforcement, health, and social service organizations, focusing on prevention of crimes against senior citizens, to identify, investigate, and provide assistance to victims of such crimes; and (4) the development and growth of strategies to respond effectively] to such matters. Directs the Director to make grants to coalitions of local law enforcement agencies and senior citizens to assist in the development of programs and execute field tests of particularly promising strategies for crime prevention and related services, based on the concepts of the Triad model (which generally calls for the participation of the sheriff, at least one police chief, and a representative of at least one senior citizens' organization within a county) which can then be evaluated and serve as the basis for further demonstration and education programs. Requires the Director to make awards to: (1) organizations with demonstrated ability to provide training and technical assistance in establishing crime prevention programs based on the Triad model, for purposes of aiding in the establishment and expansion of pilot programs; (2) research organizations to evaluate the effectiveness of selected pilot programs, and to conduct research and development identified as being critical; and (3) public service advertising coalitions to increase public awareness of, and promote ideas or programs to prevent, crimes against senior citizens. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1993
Chemical Control Amendments Act of 1993 - Amends the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 to: (1) replace references to "listed precursor chemicals" with "list I chemicals" and "listed essential chemicals" with "list II chemicals"; and (2) revise the definitions of "regulated person" (to include individuals who act as brokers or traders for international transactions involving a listed chemical, tableting machine, or encapsulating machine) and "regulated transaction" (to include international transactions involving shipment of a threshold amount of a listed chemical and to exclude specified transactions). Removes the exemption for products in which ephedrine is the only active medicinal ingredient in therapeutic amounts. Permits the Attorney General to remove the exemption for other drugs containing listed chemicals if it is determined that they are being diverted for use in the illicit production of a controlled substance, with exceptions. Provides registration requirements for list I chemicals, including the authority to revoke or deny based on public interest grounds, immediate suspension in cases of imminent danger to the public health or safety, and criminal penalties for distribution, importation, or exportation without the required registration. Authorizes the Attorney General to reduce controls on the importation of specified chemicals by modifying or eliminating the advance notice requirement. Adds specific criminal penalties for: (1) attempting to evade reporting requirements by falsely claiming that a shipment is destined for a country for which a waiver has been established; and (2) smuggling of listed chemicals. Makes it a felony for a person who possesses a listed chemical with intent that it be used in the illegal manufacture of a controlled substance to manage the listed chemical or waste from the manufacture of a controlled substance other than as required under the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Specifies that a person who violates such prohibition shall be assessed costs of the initial cleanup and disposal of the listed chemical and contaminated property, as well as the cost of restoring property damaged by exposure to such chemical. Subjects listed chemicals to the same forfeiture provisions which apply to controlled substances. Amends the Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986 to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make available to the Attorney General information in the national practitioner data bank.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1993
Aeronautical Technology Consortium Act of 1993 - Directs the President to establish: (1) an Aeronautical Technology Program to coordinate Federal research programs relating to aeronautical and related manufacturing technologies, and promote their civilian transfer and commercial application; and (2) a National Aeronautics Strategy to implement the Program. Declares that the Program shall be administered through an Aeronautical Technology Coordinating Committee, which shall provide assistance to a private sector Aeronautical Technology Consortium. Establishes an Aeronautical Technology Advisory Committee.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1993
Authorizes the President to provide assistance for victims of torture in the former Yugoslavia (without regard to U.S. diplomatic recognition of a republic), with a particular focus on victims of the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Makes such assistance available notwithstanding any provision of law, except for provisions prohibiting foreign assistance for the performance of, or research regarding, abortions or involuntary sterilization.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1993
Public School Redefinition Act of 1993 - Establishes a demonstration program to provide Federal assistance to encourage States to assist teachers, parents, and local communities to establish and develop outcome-based public schools. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award grants to State educational agencies (SEAs) to conduct such outcome-based public school programs (or, if a State elects not to participate, to award such a grant directly to an outcome-based public school). Limits such grants to three years and requires the school to provide matching funds. Prohibits grant funds from being used for construction or major renovation or repair of facilities, but allows their use for planning, equipment purchases and other start-up costs, including minor renovation of facilities to meet applicable health and safety requirements. Provides that each such outcome-based public school shall be eligible to receive Federal, State, and local education revenue, grants, and other aid as though such school were a local educational agency. Directs the Secretary or the SEA receiving such a grant to terminate grant payments to an outcome-based public school upon determination that it is not making acceptable progress. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1993
Undercharge Equity Act of 1992 - Amends Federal transportation law to authorize persons against whom a claim is made by a motor carrier of property (other than a household goods carrier) or by a nonhousehold goods freight forwarder for the collection of rates or charges in addition to the rates or charges originally collected by such carrier or freight forwarder to elect to satisfy such claim pursuant to a specified formula upon showing that: (1) the carrier or forwarder is no longer transporting property or is transporting property for the purpose of avoiding application of this Act; and (2) with respect to such claim, the person was offered a rate or charge other than the one legally on file with the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), the person tendered freight to the carrier or forwarder in reasonable reliance upon the offered transportation rate or charge, the carrier or forwarder did not properly or timely file with the ICC a tariff providing for such rate or charge or failed to execute a valid contract for transportation services, such rate or charge was collected by the carrier or forwarder, and the carrier or forwarder demands additional payment of a higher rate or charge filed in a tariff. Requires disputes regarding the aforementioned to be resolved by the court in which such claim is filed or by the ICC. Authorizes persons against whom the additional rate or charge for shipments is being sought to elect to satisfy by paying a certain formulated amount. Shortens the statute of limitations for the filing of claims: (1) by a motor common carrier for recovery of transportation or service charges; and (2) by a person to recover overcharges by a motor carrier. Permits motor carriers and shippers to resolve by mutual consent, subject to ICC review and approval, any overcharge and undercharge claims resulting from billing errors or incorrect tariff provisions arising from the inadvertent failure to properly and timely file and maintain agreed upon rates, rules, or classifications.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1993
Small Business Loan Securitization and Secondary Market Enhancement Act of 1993 - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to define a "small business related security" (SBRS) as generally a high rated security that represents and is secured by promissory notes evidencing and that provides for payments of principal in relation to payments on the notes. Provides that SBRSs shall be exempt from: (1) certain restrictions in the margin and securities delivery rules; (2) certain restrictions on borrowing on securities by and lending among, brokers, dealers, and other members of national securities exchanges; and (3) certain prohibitions on the extension of credit by members of exchanges, brokers, and dealers against a security which was part of a new issue. Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act, the Federal Credit Union Act, and related statutes to allow banks, credit unions, and other depository institutions to invest in SBRSs. Amends the Secondary Mortgage Market Enhancement Act of 1984 to: (1) authorize any U.S. person or entity to invest in SBRS, to the same extent such person is authorized to invest in U.S. obligations issued; and (2) exempt SBRSs from any State law's security registration and qualification to the same extent that U.S. securities are so exempt. Provides for States to enact provisions prescribing specific requirement for SBRSs. Requires the accounting principles applicable to the transfer of a small business loan with recourse contained in reports or statements required by appropriate Federal banking agencies to be uniform and consistent with generally accepted accounting principles. Prohibits the amount of capital required to be maintained by a depository institution with respect to the sale of a small business loan with recourse from exceeding an amount sufficient to meet the institution's reasonable estimated liability under the recourse arrangement. Requires an SBRS to be treated as a mortgage-backed security under the risk-based capital requirements applicable to insured depository institutions. Directs the Secretary of Labor to exclude transactions involving SBRSs from certain restrictions and taxes imposed on "prohibited transactions" under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code (thereby allowing pension fund managers to participate in the pooling and packaging of small business loans for sale as securities). Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to promulgate regulations providing for the taxation of a small business loan investment conduit and the holder of an interest therein in a manner similar to the taxation of a real estate mortgage investment conduit and the holder of an interest therein under the Internal Revenue Code.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1993
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to allow, on order of a veterinarian: (1) a new animal drug approved for one use to be used for a different purpose; and (2) a new drug approved for human use to be used in non-food producing animals.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permanently extend the period during which qualified mortgage bonds and mortgage credit certificates may be issued.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1993
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits in any fiscal year total Federal outlays from exceeding total receipts, unless a three-fifths roll call vote of both Houses of Congress authorizes a specific excess. Prohibits any increases in the public debt unless a three-fifths roll call vote of both Houses enacts legislation permitting otherwise. Directs the President to submit a balanced budget to the Congress. Permits any revenue-increasing bill to become law only if approved by a majority of the whole number of each House by roll call vote. Waives these provisions when a declaration of war is in effect.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1993
Authorization for Use of United States Armed Forces in Somalia - Authorizes the President to use U.S. armed forces to implement United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 794 which authorizes the use of all necessary means to establish a secure environment for humanitarian relief operations in Somalia. Declares that this Act is intended to constitute specific statutory authorization under the War Powers Resolution. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) consult with the Secretary General of the UN and with the other member countries of the Security Council to ensure that peacekeeping forces from other UN countries continue to be deployed in Somalia to maintain a secure environment and to allow U.S. armed forces to transfer the mission to a UN-led force at the earliest possible date; (2) ensure that U.S. armed forces serving in Somalia are permitted to take all reasonable measures to protect themselves; and (3) submit a report to the Congress providing an assessment of the costs of Operation Restore Hope. Directs the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense to jointly submit to the Congress a report on the introduction and commitment of U.S. armed forces into combat situations in Somalia and elsewhere.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1993
Declares that the Congress opposes any attempt to lower the estate tax exemption or raise the effective rate of taxes on estates, or impose additional taxes on estates such as a capital gains tax at death, because such measures contradict the fundamental goal of the United States Government of encuraging long-term private saving through which productive investment that promotes economic growth can be realized.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1993
Native American Veterans' Memorial Establishment Act - Authorizes the Board of Trustees of the National Museum of the American Indian to design, construct, and maintain a National Native American Veterans' Memorial. Locates the Memorial on the same site as the National Museum of the American Indian. Provides for funding of the Memorial through private donations. States that the United States shall not pay any of the Memorial's establishment expenses, other than providing the location. Defines "Native American" as an Indian, a Native Hawaiian, and an Alaska Native.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the corporate income tax exclusion of contributions to the capital of the taxpayer. Includes as a qualifying contribution any amount of money or property received by a regulated public utility which provides water or sewage disposal services that: (1) is a contribution in aid of construction; (2) meets certain expenditure requirements; and (3) is not included in the taxpayer's rate base. Excludes amounts paid as service charges for starting or stopping services. Determines the depreciation deduction for such property by using the straight line method and provides for a 25-year recovery period.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Regulatory Impact on Credit Availability Title II: Regulatory Micromanagement Title III: Unnecessary Cost, Paperwork and Regulation Title IV: Consumer Inconvenience, Paperwork, and Cost; Other Non-Supervisory Reforms Title V: Community Investment Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act of 1993 - Title I: Regulatory Impact on Credit Availability - Subtitle A: General Provisions - (Sec. 101) Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDIA) to modify the criteria relating to real estate lending standards. (Sec. 102) Amends the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (FIRREA) to direct the Appraisal Subcommittee of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council to encourage the States to develop reciprocity agreements with respect to appraisals performed by licensed real estate appraisers in good standing. (Sec. 103) Amends the FDIA to exempt from its proscription against agreements inimical to the interests of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) those agreements governing the deposit custody or collateralization of funds of any public entity. Subtitle B: Impact of Accounting and Capital Issues on Credit Availability - (Secs. 111-113) Amends the FDIA to modify the guidelines regarding: (1) early identification of needed improvements in financial management; (2) accounting objectives, standards, and requirements; (3) recourse agreements; and (4) disclosure by insured depository institutions of the market value of their assets and liabilities. (Secs. 114-115) Requires the Department of the Treasury to report to the Congress on the impact that implementation of risk based capital standards will have upon domestic institutions and credit availability. Modifies the deadline for the promulgation of final regulations regarding certain capital standards that impact upon credit availability. Subtitle C: Disincentives to Risk-taking - (Secs. 121-123) - Amends specified Federal banking laws to modify guidelines with respect to: (1) the attachment of assets; and (2) the culpability standards for civil money penalties and for the directors and officers of an insured depository institution. Subtitle D: Miscellaneous Credit Availability Provisions - (Sec. 131) Requires each appropriate Federal banking agency and the National Credit Union Administration to establish an independent appellate process to review material supervisory determinations made at institutions under their purview. (Sec. 132) Amends the Federal Reserve Act to modify the aggregate limits on insider lending for specified small banks. (Sec. 133) Requires: (1) the Board to study and report to the Congress on certain sterile reserves associated with depository institutions; and (2) the Office of Management and Budget and the Congressional Budget Office to report to the Congress on the budgetary impact of interest payments associated with such reserves. (Sec. 134) Amends the FDIA to prescribe guidelines for the sale by an undercapitalized insured depository institution of credit card accounts receivable. (Sec. 135) Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to modify the guidelines under which Federal Home Loan Banks may make: (1) secured advances to members for housing finance; and (2) investments for the purchase of participating interests in certain residential construction loans. Title II: Regulatory Micromanagement - (Sec. 201) Amends the FDIA to repeal the criteria for safety and soundness regarding the operational and managerial standards of insured depository institutions. (Sec. 202) Requires each appropriate Federal banking agency to review, and eliminate where appropriate, regulations requiring insured depository institutions to produce unnecessary internal written policies. (Secs. 203-204) Modifies the guidelines regarding deposit solicitation by insured depository institutions to include within the definition of "deposit broker" an undercapitalized institution. Sets forth a transition period for new Federal regulations which impose additional requirements on an insured depository institution. Title III: Unnecessary Cost, Paperwork and Regulation - Subtitle A: General Provisions - (Secs. 301-302) Amends the FDIA to: (1) extend from 18 months to 24 months the mandatory on-site examination cycle for specified small-sized, insured depository institutions; (2) allow exemption from its examination requirement of insured depository institutions within certain depository institution holding companies; and (3) direct Federal banking regulatory agencies to coordinate their examinations with their State counterparts. (Sec. 304) Modifies the call report requirements affecting insured depository institutions. (Sec. 305) Directs the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council to review and reduce, where appropriate, the burdensome effect upon community banks of compliance requirements associated with risk-based capital rules. (Sec. 307) Amends Federal law to modify the recordkeeping requirements for monetary instruments transactions. (Sec. 308) Amends the FDIA to direct the FDIC to minimize the regulatory burden imposed upon insured depository institutions. (Sec. 309) Amends the Federal Reserve Act and the FDIA to limit the liability of domestic banks with respect to deposits made at foreign branches. Subtitle B: Holding Company Efficiencies - (Sec. 321) Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 to cite circumstances under which a company may acquire control of a bank undergoing a specified kind of reorganization. (Sec. 322) Amends the Securities Act of 1933 to exempt from its registration requirements any acquisitions resulting from such reorganization. (Sec. 323) Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 to: (1) modify the procedures under which bank holding companies acquire the shares of any company whose nonbanking activities are closely related to banking; and (2) provide for reduction of the post-approval waiting period for mergers, acquisition, or consolidation transactions. Title IV: Consumer Inconvenience, Paperwork, and Cost; Other Non-Supervisory Reforms - Subtitle A: Consumer Benefits and Lending Process Improvements - (Sec. 401) Directs the Board to study and report to the Congress on ways to streamline the credit-granting process. (Secs. 402-404) Amends the Truth in Lending Act to: (1) exempt specified credit transactions from its disclosure requirements; (2) repeal the "personal financial emergency" prerequisite to the Board's authority to modify rights relating to certain consumer credit transactions; and (3) modify the disclosure requirements for adjustable rate credit transactions. (Sec. 405) Amends the Truth in Savings Act to exempt business accounts from its purview. (Sec. 406) Amends the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act to repeal certain disclosure requirements regarding federally related mortgage loans that are statutorily mandated elsewhere. Subtitle B: Other Non-Supervisory Reforms Part 1: Expedited Funds Availability and Electronic Transfers - (Secs. 411-413) Amends the Expedited Funds Availability Act to: (1) modify the availability schedules for both depository institution accounts and new accounts; and (2) authorize the Board to establish rules regarding losses and liability among the States and their political subdivisions in connection with any aspect of the payment system. (Sec. 414) Amends the Electronic Fund Transfer Act to increase consumer liability for unauthorized electronic funds transfers where the cardholder has substantially contributed to such use. Part 2: Amendments to The Truth in Lending Act - (Sec. 421) Amends the Truth in Lending Act to increase cardholder liability for unauthorized credit card use where the cardholder does not timely notify the card issuer. Part 3: Homeownership Amendments - (Sec. 431) Amends the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975 to modify the total assets criterion used to exempt depository institutions from its purview. (Sec. 432) Amends the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 to modify its homeownership debt counseling notification requirements. (Sec. 433) Forbids any Federal banking agency from requiring any institution under its purview to engage in data collection practices pursuant to the requirements of the Fair Housing Act other than data required under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975. Part 4: Amendments to the Truth in Savings Act - (Sec. 441) Amends the Truth in Savings Act to limit a depository institution's civil liability for non-compliance with its disclosure requirements regarding: (1) annual percentage yield earned and the amounts of any fees or charges imposed; and (2) interest rates and terms of accounts in advertisements or solicitations. Part 5: Amendments to the Real Estate Settlements Procedures Act - (Sec. 451) Amends the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 to: (1) modify the disclosure requirements for federally related mortgage loans; and (2) exempt from its purview specified credit extension transactions. Title V: Community Investment - (Sec. 501) Amends the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 to: (1) mandate that, in its examination of a financial institution, a Federal financial supervisory agency shall minimize the regulatory paperwork burdens associated with compliance with such Act; (2) delineate the evaluation parameters under which an application for a deposit facility shall be accepted; (3) amend the service area guidelines relating to credit for distressed communities; (4) include "special purpose banks" within its purview; and (5) authorize the Federal financial supervisory agencies to accept State examinations conducted pursuant to comparable State community reinvestment laws in satisfaction of the requirements of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1993
Garnishment Equalization Act of 1993 - Provides for the treatment of Federal pay in the same manner as non-Federal pay with respect to garnishment. Allows administrative costs to be included in such garnishment.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1993
Children's Bicycle Helmet Safety Act of 1993 - Authorizes the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to make grants to States, political subdivisions, and nonprofit organizations for programs that require or encourage individuals under age 16 to wear approved bicycle helmets. Specifies that such grants may be used to: (1) enforce a law that requires such individuals to wear approved bicycle helmets; (2) assist such individuals to acquire such helmets; and (3) develop and adminster a program to educate such individuals and their families on the importance of wearing such helmets. Sets interim standards for bicycle helmets and provides that a helmet that does not conform shall be considered in violation of a consumer product safety standard promulgated under the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA). Directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission to begin a proceeding to review the requirements of the interim standards and establish a final standard that includes provisions to protect against the risk of helmets coming off the heads of bicycle riders and to address the risk of injury to children. Specifies that the final standard shall be considered a consumer product safety standard under the CPSA. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1993
Amends Federal law to prohibit any State from imposing an income tax on the pension income of any individual who is not a resident or domiciliary of that State.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1993
Indian Employment and Investment Act of 1993 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish an Indian reservation credit as a tax credit for investment in qualified Indian reservation property. Treats real estate rentals on an Indian reservation as the active conduct of a trade or business on such reservation. Declares that such credit applies only in the event that the Indian unemployment rate on the applicable reservation exceeds 300 percent of the national average unemployment rate at any time during the taxable year or in the immediately preceding taxable year. Provides for the recapture of such credit in the event such reservation property ceases to be investment property. Sets forth rules with respect to adjusting the basis of such property to reflect the investment credit. Allows businesses an employment credit for the qualified wages and qualified employee health insurance costs paid or incurred during a taxable year. Requires employees to perform substantially all services within an Indian reservation and to reside on or near such reservation. Limits such credit to the first seven years of employment and excludes employees earning more than $30,000 per year. Establishes penalties to be imposed if an employee is terminated before the day one year after the day on which the employee began work for the employer. Applies certain rules for computing the targeted jobs credit to such employment credit.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1993
Authorizes the President to present to Red Skelton, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal in recognition of his performance as an entertainer and humanitarian. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike a gold medal with suitable emblems and to strike and sell bronze duplicates. Declares such medals national medals. Authorizes appropriations.
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