United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1991
National Forest Recycled Paper Act of 1991 - Requires the Director of the General Services Administration (GSA), for a one-year period, to make available to the Secretary of Agriculture recycled paper for all standard uses. Authorizes other Federal agencies to use recycled paper and to purchase such paper through GSA. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, to use recycled paper for paperwork and printing during this one-year period. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1991
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 · 24 January 1991
High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 - Declares that this Act does not apply to computer systems that process classified information or are used in connection with certain defense purposes. Allows Federal agencies and departments to procure prototype or early production models of new high-performance computer systems and subsystems to stimulate hardware and software development. Amends the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 to direct the President, through the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology (Council), to develop and implement a National High-Performance Computing Plan, to be submitted to the Congress within one year of this Act's enactment and revised at least biennially. Requires the plan to recommend a five-year proposal of goals and priorities for a Federal high-performance computing program. Describes required plan contents, including funding requirements, roles for various Federal agencies, and establishment of a national multi-gigabits-per-second computer network (to be known as the National Research and Education Network (Network). Requires the Plan to take into consideration the activities of the Library of Congress. Designates the Council as the lead entity responsible for development and implementation of the plan, directing it to coordinate related activities among Federal agencies and departments and review budget estimates. Directs the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to establish a High-Performance Computing Advisory Panel to provide the Council with an assessment of the plan. Directs each Federal entity involved in high-performance computing to submit, as part of its annual budget request, a report on the role of its activities with regard to the plan and relevant budget requests. Instructs the Chairman of the Council to submit to the President and to the Congress, by March 1 annually, a report on plan achievements and progress. Requires the National Science Foundation (NSF) to provide for the establishment of the Network by 1996 to link government, industry, and the education community. Designates the Department of Defense, through the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, as the lead agency for research and development of advanced fiber optics technology, switches, and protocols needed to develop the Network. Gives to the NSF, within the Federal Government, the primary responsibility for connecting colleges, universities, and libraries to the Network. Directs the Council to carry out certain functions, including: (1) developing goals and strategies; (2) identifying the roles of Federal agencies and departments; and (3) overseeing the Network's operation and evolution. Requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to adopt standards and guidelines to provide interoperability, common user interfaces, and enhanced security for the Network. Authorizes the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Department of Defense, the Department of Commerce, the Department of the Interior, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Environmental Protection Agency to allow Federal research grant recipients to use grant funds to pay for computer networking. Requires the Director of the OSTP to report to the Congress on specified matters, including: (1) funding mechanisms for the Network, including user fees, industry support, and continued Federal investment; (2) a plan for the eventual commercialization of the Network; (3) charging commercial information service providers for Network access; (4) charging Network users for commercial services; (5) the technological feasibility of allowing commercial services to use the Network and other federally-funded networks; (6) copyright protection; and (7) resource security and user privacy. Requires the NSF to provide funding to enable researchers to access supercomputers. Sets forth other responsibilities of the NSF, including promoting development of information services that could be provided over the Network. Authorizes appropriations to the NSF for the purposes of this Act. Requires the NASA to continue to conduct basic and applied research in high-performance computing, with specified emphases. Authorizes appropriations to NASA for the purposes of this Act. Requires the NIST to: (1) adopt standards and guidelines, and develop measurement techniques and test methods, for the interoperability of high-performance computers in networks and for common user interfaces to systems; and (2) develop benchmark tests and standards for high performance computers and software. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a study regarding the impact of Federal procurement regulations which require that contractors providing software to the Federal Government share the rights to proprietary software development tools that the contractors used to develop the software.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit an individual taxpayer an income tax deduction for travel, meals, lodging, transportation, and uniform expenses paid or incurred in connection with the taxpayer's performance of services as a member of the armed forces reserves or the National Guard. Excludes the taxpayer's meal and entertainment expenses from deductibility limitations in this context.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1991
Supports and endorses Operation Homefront as a national grassroots effort to support our servicemen and women participating in Operation Desert Storm and their families. Encourages Federal, State, and local governments and private business and industry to organize Operation Homefront task forces to support the families of such deployed troops and to plan and organize welcome home celebrations for the troops.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1991
Commends the bravery and professionalism of the armed forces. Extends sympathy to the families and loved ones of those killed, missing in action, or taken prisoner by the Government of Iraq. Demands that the Iraqi Government abide by the principles and obligations of the Third Geneva Convention concerning the treatment of prisoners of war and condemns Iraq's failure to do so.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1991
Condemns the unprovoked attacks by Iraq on Israel. Declares that the use of SCUD missiles to attack civilian targets is a form of terrorism. Expresses sympathy for the casualties and destruction caused by the Iraqi attacks. Recognizes Israel's right to defend itself. Commends the Israeli Government for its restraint and the Israeli people for their perseverance in the face of such attacks. Commends the administration for its decision to provide Patriot missiles to Israel. Reaffirms America's continued commitment to providing Israel with the means to maintain its security and freedom.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1991
Authorizes the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity to establish a memorial to Martin Luther King, Jr., in the District of Columbia and its environs. Prohibits the United States from paying any expense of establishing the memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1991
Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to modify the ban on honoraria to allow Federal officers and employees, other than Representatives in, or Delegates or Resident Commissioners to, the Congress and noncareer officers and employees whose rate of basic pay exceeds GS-15, to receive an honorarium for an article in a bona fide publication, a speech, or an appearance if: (1) the subject of the article, speech, or appearance and the reason for which the honorarium is paid is unrelated to the recipient's official duties or status; and (2) the party offering the honorarium has no interests that may be substantially affected by the performance or nonperformance of the recipient's official duties. Prohibits the amount of such honorarium accepted from exceeding the usual and customary fee for the services for which the honorarium is paid, up to $2,000. Subjects the acceptance of any honorarium to financial disclosure under the Ethics in Government Act of 1978. Extends the period within which the Clerk of the House or the Secretary of the Senate must send a copy of each financial disclosure report filed by a Member or candidate to the appropriate State officer designated under the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1991
Airline Bankruptcy Passenger Protection Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to issue an order authorizing a covered air carrier to develop an air transportation plan which protects airline ticket holders in the event it becomes a debtor in bankruptcy proceedings after the ticket purchase date. Provides that if satisfactory plans have not been submitted by a specified deadline, the Secretary must promulgate regulations requiring all covered air carriers to provide air transportation for such ticket holders.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1991
Fairness in Broadcasting Act of 1991 - Expresses the findings of the Congress that the Fairness Doctrine: (1) fairly reflects the statutory obligations of broadcasters; (2) received statutory approval from the Congress in 1959; and (3) reasonably balances first amendment rights. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require broadcast licensees to provide a reasonable opportunity for the discussion of conflicting views on issues of public importance. Requires enforcement and application of such requirement to be consistent with the rules and policies of the Federal Communications Commission in effect on January 1, 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Veterans Unemployment Compensation Act of 1991 - Increases the aggregate unemployment compensation paid in a benefit year to ex-servicemen involuntarily discharged from the armed forces to 26 times an individual's weekly benefit amount for total unemployment.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Repeals current Federal law which: (1) prohibits military personnel from being entitled to unemployment compensation before the fifth week after discharge or release; and (2) limits the aggregate amount of compensation payable on the basis of active service in the armed forces in any benefit year to 13 weeks of compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Resident Physician Student Loan Deferment Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow resident physicians to defer repayment of certain student loans while serving in a medical internship or resident training program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or the Accrediting Committee of the American Osteopathic Association.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Older Americans' Freedom to Work Act of 1991 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to remove the limitation on the amount of outside income which beneficiaries who have attained retirement age may earn without incurring a reduction in benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Spark M. Matsunaga Concurrent Payment of Retired Pay and Compensation Benefits Act - Permits retired members of the armed forces to be paid retirement pay concurrently with compensation for any service-connected disability if the person's entitlement to such retirement pay is based solely on: (1) age; (2) length of service; or (3) both. Reduces the amount of retirement pay, in the case of individuals receiving both types of pay, by a specified percentage of the disability compensation which decreases as the disability rating increases. Prohibits any reduction in the retirement pay of a disabled person when the disability rating is total.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Medicare Enhanced Benefits Act of 1991 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover colon-rectal screening examinations at a frequency which varies on the basis of the screening procedure used. Covers nursing care and home health aide services as home health services if such services are needed less than seven days each week or are needed for up to 38 consecutive days. Covers up to 80 hours of annual in-home respite care furnished to an individual who has incurred expenses equal to a specified Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) cost-sharing limit and, for the preceding three months, has been unable to perform at least two specified daily living activities without the assistance of an uncompensated primary caregiver with whom he or she resides. Covers home intravenous drug therapy services. Increases the Medicare part B premium. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to modify contracts with health maintenance organizations to take into account this Act's amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to authorize a State to enforce laws collecting fees in connection with the treatment and disposal within such State of solid waste generated in another State. Permits a State, after the submission to the Administrator of a certification under this Act, to enforce laws regulating the treatment and disposal of solid waste within the State. Authorizes any State which has adopted a 20-year solid waste management plan to submit a certification to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency on the solid waste treatment and disposal capacity of the State. Sets forth minimum requirements of the plan. Permits the Governor of each State which has adopted a 20-year management plan to certify to the Administrator that the State has adequate capacity to manage all solid waste generated in the State or received from other States for the following 60-month period. Exempts specified types of waste from regulation under this Act. Grants congressional approval to agreements or compacts entered into by two or more States for cooperative efforts and mutual assistance for solid waste management. Authorizes the Administrator to promulgate regulations exempting waste types or recycling practices from the authority granted to States under this Act if such action promotes the development of an interstate market for recyclable materials or is necessary to promote environmentally sound waste disposal practices.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
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 · 14 January 1991
Cable Television Consumer Protection Act of 1991 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit any Federal agency, State, or franchising authority from regulating the rates for the provision of cable service or for the installation or rental of equipment used for the receipt of cable service, except as provided under this Act. Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), if it finds that a cable system is not subject to effective competition, to ensure that the rates that such system provides for basic cable service (or charges for changes in service tiers), including the installation or rental of equipment used for the receipt of such basic service, are reasonable. Specifies that: (1) if fewer than 30 percent of all customers of such cable system subscribe only to basic cable service, the FCC shall also ensure that rates are reasonable for the lowest-priced tier of service subscribed to by at least 30 percent of the cable system's customers; and (2) no competing multichannel video programming distributor (MVPD) serving households in a cable community which is owned or controlled by, or affiliated through substantial common ownership with, the cable system in such cable community, shall be included in any determination regarding effective competition under this Act. Directs the FCC, upon written request by a franchising authority, to review the State and local laws and regulations governing the regulation of cable systems under the jurisdiction of such franchising authority. Allows the FCC to authorize the franchising authority to carry out such regulation in lieu of the FCC in certain instances. Directs the FCC, upon request by a cable operator or other interested party, to review regulation of cable system rates established by a franchising authority authorized by the FCC. Allows a cable operator to add or delete from a basic cable service tier any video programming other than retransmitted local television broadcast signals. Directs the FCC to prescribe procedures, standards, requirements, and guidelines for the establishment of reasonable rates for basic cable service by a cable operator not subject to effective competition. Authorizes a cable operator to file with the FCC a request for a rate increase in basic cable tier service. Considers such request granted if not acted upon within 180 days. Directs the FCC to prescribe: (1) criteria for determining whether rates for cable programming services are unreasonable; and (2) criteria for determining that a complaint objecting to such rates and establishing that such rates are unreasonable has been properly filed. Outlines factors for making such determinations. Prohibits a video programmer in which a cable operator has an attributable interest and who licenses video programming for national or regional distribution from: (1) unreasonably refusing to deal with any MVPD; or (2) discriminating in price, terms, and sale conditions among cable systems, operators, or other MVPDs if such action would impede retail competition. Specifies that, for purposes of this Act, any video programmer who licenses video programming for distribution to more than one cable community shall be considered a regional distributor of video programming. Allows such a programmer to: (1) impose reasonable requirements for creditworthiness, service, and financial stability; (2) establish different prices, terms, and conditions to take into account certain objective cost factors; and (3) permit price differentials which are made in good faith to meet the low price of a competitor. Prohibits a cable operator, system, or its affiliate from discriminating against any unaffiliated video programmer or requiring a financial interest as a condition of carriage on a cable system. Requires any person who encrypts any satellite cable programming for private viewing to make such programming available for private viewing by C-band receive-only home satellite antenna users. Directs the FCC to establish regulations governing program carriage agreements and related practices between cable operators and video programmers which: (1) include provisions designed to prevent a cable operator or other MVPD from requiring a financial interest in a program service as a condition for carriage on one or more of such operator's systems, to prohibit such operator or MVPD from coercing a video programmer to provide exclusive rights against other MVPDs as a condition of carriage on a system, and to prevent a MVPD from engaging in conduct which unreasonably restrains the ability of an unaffiliated video programmer to compete fairly by discriminating in video programming distribution on the basis of the affiliation or nonaffiliation in the selection, terms, or conditions for carriage of video programmers; (2) provide for expedited review of complaints made by a video programmer pursuant to this Act; and (3) provide penalties to be assessed for filing frivolous complaints under this Act. States as one of the purposes of the Communications Act of 1934 the promotion of competition in the delivery of diverse sources of video programming. Authorizes the FCC to: (1) determine the maximum reasonable rates a cable operator may establish for the commercial use of designated channel capacity; and (2) establish reasonable terms and conditions for such use. Directs the FCC to establish reasonable limits on the number of: (1) cable subscribers that may be reached through cable systems owned by one person; and (2) channels of a cable system that can be occupied by a video programmer in which a cable operator has an attributable interest. Makes it unlawful for a cable operator to hold a license for a multi-channel multipoint distribution service, or to offer satellite master antenna television service separate and apart from any franchised cable service, in any portion of the cable community served by that cable operator's cable system. Directs the FCC to waive such prohibition in certain instances. Directs the FCC to regulate the outside ownership of MVPDs if ten percent of U.S. households with television sets subscribe to service provided by such MVPDs directly via home satellite antennas. Requires access to such satellite service by unaffiliated video programmers in such case. Authorizes a franchising authority to establish customer service requirements that exceed standards set by the FCC under this Act, subject to specified limitations. Directs the FCC to: (1) establish customer service standards that ensure that all customers are fairly served; and (2) regularly review such standards and make such modifications as necessary. Authorizes a franchising authority to enforce the standards established by the FCC. States that any lawful action to revoke a cable operator's franchise for cause shall not be negated by the initiation of renewal proceedings by the cable operator. Gives the FCC authority to require that television sets wired for cable television be equipped with an electronic switch allowing users to readily change among all video distribution media. Requires such switch to be included only if the FCC determines that its installation is technically and economically feasible. Provides that, in any court proceeding asserting a violation of First Amendment rights by a franchising authority or governmental entity arising from actions expressly authorized or required under title VI of the Communications Act of 1934, any relief shall be limited to injunctive relief, declaratory relief, and attorney's fees and legal costs, with certain exceptions. Directs the FCC to establish minimum technical standards to ensure adequate signal quality for all classes of video programming signals provided over a cable system and to periodically update such standards to reflect improvements in technology. Directs the FCC to establish procedures for handling complaints or allegations that such standards have not been met. Prohibits a State, franchising authority, or other governmental entity from establishing any other technical standards once the FCC has done so. Requires each cable operator that relies upon compulsory licensing for secondary transmissions by its cable system (known hereafter as a participating operator) to carry the signals of qualified local commercial broadcast stations in accordance with this Act. Requires each participating operator with more than 12 usable activated channels to carry the number of signals of qualified local commercial broadcast stations that is equal to one-third of the aggregate number of usable activated channels of the system. Allows a participating operator discretion in selecting which local broadcast signals shall be carried on its cable system once the minimum number of qualified local broadcast stations presented on its system exceeds the minimum number required under this Act, with specified conditions. Makes the carriage of the minimum required number of noncommercial educational television stations nondiscretionary. Requires an operator of a cable system with: (1) 12 or fewer usable activated channels to carry the signal of only one qualified local noncommercial educational television station; and (2) 13 to 36 usable activated channels to carry the signal of at least one to three such stations. Specifies that, notwithstanding such provisions, all operators shall continue to provide carriage to all qualified local noncommercial educational television stations whose signals were carried on their systems as of March 29, 1990, subject to waiver under specified circumstances. Requires local signals carried in fulfillment of this Act to be carried on the lowest-priced service offered by the participating operator that includes the retransmission of local television broadcast signals. Prohibits a participating operator from accepting money or other consideration for the carriage of the signal of any qualified local noncommercial educational television station carried in fulfillment of the requirements of this Act, except that such station may be required to bear the cost associated with delivering a good quality signal to the principal headend of the cable system. Authorizes a qualified local noncommercial educational television station to file a complaint with the FCC when it believes that a participating operator is not complying with signal carriage requirements enumerated under this Act. Outlines administrative procedures for FCC review and rulings on such complaints. Provides that any civil action challenging the constitutionality of this Act shall be heard by a district court. Provides that any action holding such a provision unconstitutional shall be reviewable as a matter of right by direct appeal to the Supreme Court if such appeal is filed within 20 days after such holding. Directs the FCC to prescribe rules and regulations concerning the disposition, after a cable subscriber terminates service, of any cable installed by the operator within the premises of such subscriber.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Federal Program Performance Standards and Goals Act of 1991 - Amends Federal law to include in the Federal budget a performance standards and goals plan for the overall budget. Directs the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to issue regulations requiring each Federal department and agency to establish such a plan for each major expenditure category of its budget. Requires OMB to review and adjust such plans and establish an overall performance standards and goals plan for the Federal Government. Requires each bill or resolution which provides for the authorization of appropriations or for the appropriation of funds to specify performance standards and goals for such authorization or appropriation.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Amends Federal law to increase the Federal payments in lieu of taxes to units of local government for entitlement land. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to adjust such payments by the rate of inflation according to the Consumer Price Index.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Grand Canyon Protection Act of 1991 - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to operate Glen Canyon Dam in such a manner as to protect, mitigate adverse impacts to, and improve the values for which Grand Canyon National Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area were established. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop a plan for operating the Dam on an interim basis to protect, mitigate adverse effects to, and improve the condition of the natural, recreational, and cultural resources of the Park and Recreation Area; and (2) implement the plan on the earlier of September 1, 1991, or the date of cessation of research flows used for preparing an environmental impact statement ordered by the Secretary. Enumerates certain objectives to be included in the plan as implemented, including noninterference with the water storage and delivery functions of the Dam, the minimization of adverse environmental impacts of the Dam operations on the downstream Park and Recreation Area, and adjustment and monitoring of sufficient water flows downstream from the Dam. Directs the Secretary to consult with appropriate agencies of the Department of the Interior, the Secretary of Energy, the Governors of affected States, and affected Indian tribes in the development and implementation of the plan. Authorizes the Secretary to deviate from the plan if found necessary and in the public interest. Requires the Secretary to complete a final Glen Canyon Dam environmental impact statement within three years after enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary to: (1) adopt criteria and operating plans separate from those specified under the Colorado River Basin Project Act of 1968; and (2) ensure that the Dam is operated in a manner consistent with the protection of the Park and Recreation Area. Requires the Secretary to establish and implement long-term monitoring requirements to assure that the Dam is operated in a manner consistent with the protection of the Park and the Recreation Area downstream. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of an individual the following qualified employer-provided transportation fringe benefits: (1) the value of transportation in a commuter highway vehicle between the employee's residence and workplace; and (2) up to $60 per month of the value of any transit pass entitling the employee to transportation on mass transit facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Veterans' and Survivors' Compensation Indexing Act - Requires annual cost-of-living increases in the rates of veterans' disability compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation, and in the clothing allowance for disabled veterans. Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to publish such new rates in the Federal Register. Authorizes the Secretary to adjust administratively the rates of disability compensation payable to persons who are not in receipt of compensation for service-connected disability or death.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Comprehensive Campaign Finance Reform Act of 1991 - Title I: Reduction of Special Interest Influence - Subtitle A: Elimination of Political Action Committees from Federal Election Activities - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to: (1) revise the definition of a "political committee" to delete references to any separate segregated fund and any committee, club, association, or group which receives contributions or makes expenditures annually totaling over $1,000 and to include any national, State, or district committee of a political party, including any subordinate committee thereof, and any committee jointly established by such committees or by any local committee as defined under current law for joint fundraising activities; (2) repeal provisions excluding nonpartisan registration and get-out-the-vote campaigns and the establishment of, and solicitation of contributions for, a separate segregated fund from the definition of a "contribution or expenditure" by a national bank, corporation, or labor organization; and (3) prohibit making, soliciting, or receiving contributions or making expenditures to influence a Federal election by any person other than an individual or a political committee. Specifies that if such prohibition is not in effect: (1) it and the other amendments made by this Act to the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 regarding such definitions shall not be in effect and prior law will be reinstated; and (2) political action committees not connected to corporations, labor organizations, or trade associations will be subject to a $1,000 contribution limit. Deems any political committee which is established, financed, maintained, or controlled by any candidate or Federal officeholder to be an authorized committee of such candidate or officeholder for purposes of limitations on contributions to a candidate's committees. Subtitle B: Ban on Soft Money in Federal Elections - Bans the use of soft money (any amount raised or contributed outside of source restrictions, contribution limits, and disclosure requirements of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971) to influence any Federal election. Requires the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to issue regulations providing a method for allocating the contributions and expenditures for any mixed activity between Federal and non-Federal accounts. Sets forth guidelines for such allocation which include the establishment of minimum percentages of Federal funds for activities designed to contact voters in connection with elections for Federal and non-Federal office. Requires each treasurer of a political committee to keep an account of, and file reports disclosing, each account maintained by such committee. Includes political committees among those entities eligible to receive contributions or expenditures by national banks, corporations, or labor organizations. Permits a labor organization, upon reinstatement of prior law regarding certain political activities not considered to be contributions or expenditures, to make political communications and establish and solicit contributions for a separate segregated political fund if it: (1) provides the employees it represents with written notification of specified information at least once annually; (2) provides such employees with an annual examination by an independent certified public accountant of its financial statements which verify its costs for representation services; and (3) maintains certain procedures regarding the cost of such representation. Requires a labor organization which does not follow such requirements to finance those communications expressly advocating the election or defeat of any clearly identified candidate for elective public office as well as the other political activities not considered to be contributions or expenditures with funds legally collected under this Act for its separate segregated fund. Imposes Federal limits on contributions to: (1) political organizations maintained by a candidate for Federal office which are not political committees of a national, State, or local party; and (2) State and local party committees. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny tax-exempt status for an organization: (1) which devotes any of its operating budget to voter registration, get-out-the-vote campaigns, or participation in political campaign activities; (2) on whose behalf a candidate or an authorized committee thereof solicits contributions; or (3) which intervenes or participates in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for Federal office. Subtitle C: Other Activities - Reduces from $1,000 to $500 the maximum contribution allowed to any candidate for Federal office (other than a candidate for President or Vice President) by a person residing outside the State with respect to which such candidate seeks Federal office. Maintains the current $1,000 limitation for contributions to any candidate for President or Vice President or to any candidate for Federal office by a person residing within the State with respect to which such candidate seeks Federal office. Provides for periodic indexing of such limitations according to the consumer price index. Excludes costs of campaign materials and general research activities paid by national committees of a political party from the definition of "expenditure and contribution" under the same conditions currently provided for such payments by State or local committees of a political party. Exempts contributions to political party committees from the $25,000 annual limit. Prohibits: (1) any intermediary or conduit from delivering or arranging to have delivered contributions from more than two persons who are employees of the same employer or members of the same labor organization; and (2) lobbyists from acting as an intermediary or conduit with respect to a contribution to a candidate for Federal office. Sets forth disclosure requirements for independent expenditures through broadcast communications on any radio or television station. Provides that an expenditure is not an independent expenditure where the person making an expenditure is in coordination, consultation, or concert with a candidate. Requires the FEC to provide a hearing within three days after receiving a complaint alleging that an independent expenditure was made in cooperation, consultation, or concert with a candidate. Provides for expedited judicial review for any matter relating to the making of an independent expenditure. Title II: Increase of Competition in Politics - Allows the congressional campaign committee or the senatorial campaign committee of a national political party to make contributions to a candidate for Federal office (other than President or Vice President) who does not hold Federal office which in the aggregate do not exceed the lesser of: (1) $100,000; or (2) the aggregate contributions made during the election cycle preceding the primary election by an individual who, at the time such contributions are made, is a resident of the State in which the election with respect to which such contributions are made is to be held. Prohibits such a contribution from being treated as an expenditure by a national committee, State committee, or subordinate committee, of a State committee in connection with the general election campaign of a candidate for Federal office. Prohibits a holder of Federal office from transferring any amounts received as contributions or other campaign funds to any account maintained for purposes of defraying ordinary and necessary expenses in connection with the duties of such office. Requires a candidate, within 15 days of qualifying for a primary election ballot, to file with the FEC and each other qualifying candidate a declaration stating whether or not such candidate intends to expend for the primary and general election an amount exceeding $250,000 from: (1) personal funds; (2) family funds; and (3) personal loans incurred in connection with the campaign for election. Allows the opponents of such candidate to accept larger contribution amounts from individuals. Requires a candidate who files a declaration of intent not to expend more than $250,000 and who subsequently does exceed such amount, to file an amended declaration within 24 hours after exceeding such amount. Allows a candidate to repay any expenditure or personal loan incurred in connection with the candidate's election to Federal office from contributions made to such candidate or any authorized committee of such candidate. Prohibits: (1) repayment of any interest on the principal of such loan or the amount of such expenditure; and (2) repayment from any such contributions received after the general election to which the expenditure or loan relates. Prohibits franked mass mailings by: (1) Members of Congress during the year in which they are candidates for reelection; (2) Members of, or Members-elect to, the House during the year in which they are candidates for any other public office; or (3) Members of the Senate during the year in which they are candidates for any other public office. Requires Members of Congress using franked mass mailings to register such mailings annually with the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House of Representatives who shall make such mailing available for public inspection along with a description of the persons to whom the mass mailing was mailed. Amends rule XL of the Standing Rules of the Senate to prohibit the use of franked mass mail by a Senator or an individual who is a candidate for nomination for election, or election, to the Senate during the year in which the Senator is a candidate for public office or the individual is a candidate for the Senate. Revises provisions with respect to congressional reapportionment and redistricting so that the number of persons in congressional districts within each State shall be as nearly equal as practicable, as determined under the most recent decennial census. Prohibits congressional districts from being established with the intent and effect of diluting the voting strength of any persons or members of any political party. Requires district boundaries to avoid the division of counties and minimize the division of cities and other political subdivisions. Establishes expedited Federal judicial review procedures of the redistricting process, giving Federal district courts exclusive jurisdiction. Amends the Federal criminal code to prescribe criminal penalties to be imposed against anyone who uses any facility of, or affects, interstate or foreign commerce to deprive or defraud the inhabitants of a State or political subdivision of: (1) the honest services of a government official or employee; or (2) a fair and impartially conducted election process through the use of fraudulent ballots or voter registration forms or the filing of fraudulent campaign reports to secure the election of an official who, if elected, would have authority over the administration of funds derived from an Act of the Congress totalling $10,000 or more for a year before or after the election or offense. Prescribes criminal penalties to be imposed against anyone who deprives or defrauds the inhabitants of the United States of the honest services of a public official. Prescribes criminal penalties to be imposed upon any official who: (1) uses interstate commerce to deprive or defraud the inhabitants of any State or political subdivision of the right to have government affairs conducted on the basis of complete, true, and accurate information; or (2) in order to carry out or conceal any scheme or artifice to defraud, discriminates, harasses, or takes adverse action against any employee or official of the United States or any State or political subdivision. Authorizes such an adversely affected employee or official to obtain relief through a civil action, providing such person did not participate in the scheme or artifice. Amends mail fraud provisions to prohibit the use of any facility of interstate or foreign commerce in the execution of a scheme or artifice to defraud. Title III: Reduction of Campaign Costs - Sets forth congressional findings regarding discounts for political broadcasts. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to: (1) limit the cost to qualified candidates of broadcasting time for pre-election political advertising to the lowest rate charged for any time in the same period; and (2) prohibit any broadcast licensee from preempting the use of any such time purchased by a qualified candidate. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Subtitle A: Federal Election Commission Enforcement Authority - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to revise the enforcement provisions. Changes the determination the FEC must make upon receiving a complaint, before notifying the person of an alleged violation. Authorizes the FEC to seek an injunction if: (1) it believes that there is a substantial likelihood that a violation of Federal election laws is occurring or about to occur; (2) the failure to act expeditiously will result in irreparable harm; (3) such expeditious action will not cause undue harm or prejudice to the interests of others; and (4) the public interest would be best served by such an injunction. Reduces the period provided for the FEC to attempt informally to prevent or correct a violation of such Act from 90 to 60 days. Requires the FEC to make such an attempt for a period of no more than 15 days, if the violation occurs within 45 days of an election. Provides greater penalties for knowing and willful violations committed within 15 days of any election. Changes from discretionary to mandatory the requirement that the FEC, upon an affirmative vote of four of its members, institute a civil action if it is unable to correct or prevent a violation of such Act. Requires a court in such civil action to grant a specified remedy upon a showing that the person involved has committed or is about to commit a violation of such Act. Provides a private right of action if, by a tie vote, the FEC does not vote to institute a civil action. Requires a court to impose a specified civil penalty for a knowing and willful violation of such Act. Expedites from 120 days to 60 days the time which an aggrieved party must wait before seeking judicial redress because the FEC dismissed, or failed to reasonably pursue, a complaint filed by such party. Allows the aggrieved party to file an action in any U.S. district court having jurisdiction. Requires that any monetary award under such action be paid to the United States. Provides for a mandatory award of attorney fees and costs to the prevailing party. Increases the penalties for violation of the confidentiality requirement with respect to any notification or investigation made under such Act. Removes the ceiling on the fine for any person who willfully and knowingly commits a violation of such Act which involves any contribution or expenditure aggregating $2,000 or more during a calendar year. Directs the FEC to establish time limitations for its investigation and to publish an index of all of its investigations. Establishes procedures for initial determinations and probable cause determinations by the FEC. Eliminates the en banc hearing requirement for constitutional questions regarding such Act. Subtitle B: Other Provisions - Requires each treasurer of a political committee to file reports disclosing for the reporting period the terms of any settlement agreement or any security or collateral agreement entered into with respect to a loan or other debt as evidenced by a copy of such agreement filed as part of the report. Includes any gift subscription, loan, advance, or deposit of money made for the purpose of drafting a clearly identified individual as a candidate for Federal office or encouraging a clearly identified individual to become a candidate for Federal office within the definition of "contribution." Requires such a contribution to be treated, with respect to the individual involved, as a contribution to a candidate, whether or not the individual becomes a candidate for purposes of limitations on contributions and expenditures.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to declare that any individual who performed Desert Shield services (and the individual's spouse) shall be entitled to an extension of time for performing certain tax-related acts by reason of service in a combat zone. Allows the payment of interest on any overpayments due such individuals starting April 15. (Generally, interest will be paid only on refunds made more than 45 days after a return is filed.) Applies the time extension granted by this Act to individuals during any period of continuous hospitalization.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Older Americans' Freedom to Work Act of 1991 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to remove the limitation on the amount of outside income which beneficiaries who have attained retirement age may earn without incurring a reduction in benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Private Property Rights Act of 1991 - Gives the force and effect of statute to certain procedures under Executive Order 12630 providing for the protection of private property against Federal regulations which result in a taking of such property for which compensation is required. Makes such procedures applicable to regulations promulgated, after this Act is enacted, by Federal executive agencies which engage in an activity with the potential for taking private property. Provides for a limited judicial review of actions taken pursuant to this Act applicable to whether the Attorney General has certified the issuing agency as in compliance with the Executive Order or similar procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Veterans Compensation Rates Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 1991 - Increases the rates of compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation, and the clothing allowance payable to veterans with service-connected disabilities and their survivors. Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to adjust administratively the rates of disability compensation payable to persons who are not in receipt of compensation for service-connected disability or death.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to increase the amount of outside income which beneficiaries who have attained retirement age may earn without incurring a reduction in benefits. Removes such income limitation thereafter. Accelerates the effective dates of increases in the delayed retirement credit rate for individuals who work beyond retirement age.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Drug Emergency Areas Act of 1990 - Amends the National Narcotics Leadership Act of 1988 to replace language with respect to the designation of high intensity drug trafficking areas with provisions authorizing the President to declare a State or part of a State to be a drug emergency area. Requires requests for such a declaration to be made, in writing, by the Governor or chief executive officer of any affected State or local government and forwarded to the President through the Director of National Drug Control Policy. Allows cities, counties, or States to submit a joint request. Requires requests to be based on a written finding that the emergency is of such severity and magnitude that Federal assistance is necessary to ensure an effective response. Prohibits the President from limiting declarations made under this Act to highly-populated centers of drug trafficking, drug use, or drug-related violence. Requires the President to consider applications from governments of less populated areas where the magnitude and severity of such activities are beyond the capability of the State or local government to respond. Requires Governors or chief executive officers, as part of such requests and as a prerequisite to such assistance, to: (1) take appropriate action under State or local law to respond to the crisis and furnish information on the nature and amount of State and local resources which have been or will be committed to alleviating the emergency; (2) certify that State and local government obligations and expenditures will comply with all applicable cost-sharing requirements; and (3) submit a detailed plan outlining the State or local government's short- and long-term plans to respond to the emergency. Requires the Director to review requests submitted and forward the application to the President, along with a recommendation. Authorizes the President to make grants to State or local governments of up to $50,000,000 for any single emergency. Limits the Federal share to 75 percent of the costs necessary to implement the short- and long-term plan. Limits the duration of assistance to a drug disaster area to one year, after which the Governors or chief executive officers may apply for an extension of up to 180 days. Requires any State or local government receiving Federal assistance to balance the allocation of such assistance evenly between drug supply and demand reduction efforts, unless State or local conditions dictate otherwise. Authorizes the President to: (1) direct any Federal agency to utilize its authorities and resources to support State and local efforts; and (2) provide technical and advisory assistance. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 January 1991
Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution - Authorizes the President to use U.S. armed forces against Iraq pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 678 to implement Resolutions 660, 661, 662, 664, 665, 666, 667, 669, 670, 674, and 677 (summarized below) after making available to the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate his determination that: (1) the United States has used all appropriate diplomatic and other peaceful means to obtain compliance by Iraq with such resolutions; and (2) those means have not been and would not be successful. Declares that this Act constitutes specific statutory authorization for the use of U.S. armed forces required under the War Powers Resolution. Requires the President to report to the Congress every 60 days on the status of efforts to obtain compliance by Iraq with the U.N. resolutions. RESOLUTION 660-AUGUST 2, 1990: Condemns Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and demands immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Iraqi forces. RESOLUTION 661-AUGUST 6, 1990: Imposes trade embargo and financial sanctions against Iraq and Iraqi-occupied Kuwait. (Medical supplies and humanitarian foodstuffs are exempt from the trade embargo.) RESOLUTION 662-AUGUST 9, 1990: Declares Iraq's annexation of Kuwait null and void and demands that Iraq rescind the annexation. RESOLUTION 664-AUGUST 18, 1990: Demands that Iraq permit immediate safe departure of foreign nationals from Iraq and Kuwait. Demands rescindment of Iraq's orders to withdraw diplomatic immunity and close diplomatic missions in Kuwait. RESOLUTION 665-AUGUST 25, 1990: Calls upon states to enforce the trade embargo against Iraq and Iraqi-occupied Kuwait. RESOLUTION 666-SEPTEMBER 14, 1990: Provides for humanitarian provision of any necessary food and medical supplies to Iraq and Kuwait. RESOLUTION 667-SEPTEMBER 16, 1990: Demands that Iraq protect diplomatic personnel and premises and take no action that hinders the performance of their duties. RESOLUTION 669-SEPTEMBER 24, 1990: Authorizes Sanctions Committee to examine requests for assistance from states confronted with special economic problems related to the sanctions. RESOLUTION 670-SEPTEMBER 25, 1990: Requires states to cooperate with air embargo and to detain any ships that are being used to violate the sanctions. (Food and medical supplies being shipped for humanitarian reasons are exempt, but subject to authorization.) RESOLUTION 674-OCTOBER 29, 1990: Reminds Iraq that it is liable under international law for any loss, damage, or injury arising in regard to Kuwait and third states and their nationals as a result of Iraq's invasion and occupation of Kuwait. RESOLUTION 677-NOVEMBER 28, 1990: Condemns Iraqi attempts to alter Kuwait's demographic composition and destroy Kuwaiti civil records. Mandates steps to be taken by the U.N. to safeguard the demographic composition of Kuwait. RESOLUTION 678-NOVEMBER 29, 1990: Authorizes member states to use all means necessary to uphold the above resolutions and restore international peace and security in the region, unless Iraq fully complies with the above resolutions on or before January 15, 1991.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1990
Recognizes the important part the Alaska Highway played in the defense of our Nation and the settling of Alaska and the ever-important role it will inevitably play in our future. States that this highway should be maintained in a condition that encourages people throughout the Nation to travel it.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1990
Civil Rights Act of 1990 - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to provide for the burden of proof which the complaining party and the respondent must meet in certain situations relating to unlawful employment practices based on disparate impact. Allows a rule barring employment of an individual who currently and knowlingly uses or possesses an illegal drug unless the rule is adopted or applied with intent to discriminate. Allows establishment of an unlawful employment practice on a demonstration that a certain basis was a motivating factor for a practice, even though other factors also motivated the practice. Prohibits certain types of relief on a demonstration that the respondent would have taken the same action in the absence of any discrimination. Allows, on such a showing, declaratory and injunctive relief, attorney's fees, and costs. Provides for the finality of litigated or consent judgments or orders, barring actions (challenging an employment practice required by a judgment or order) by persons who had certain types of notice and opportunity. Declares that an alleged unlawful employment practice occurs, with regard to a seniority system, when: (1) the system is adopted; (2) an individual becomes subject to the system; or (3) a person is injured by application of the system or provision, adopted for an intentionally discriminatory purpose, whether or not the discriminatory purpose is apparent on the face of the provision. Allows a court, in fashioning remedies for unlawful intentional employment discrimination, to require the respondent to pay a specified amount if: (1) needed to deter the respondent from engaging in such practices; and (2) otherwise justified by the equities, consistent with the purposes of the equal employment opportunities provisions of the Act, and in the public interest. Requires all employment discrimination cases to be heard and determined by a judge, except that, if the court determines that the claims presented may require the payments authorized by this paragraph and that a jury trial is constitutionally required for such relief, a jury may be empaneled to determine such issues and no others. Allows expert fees to be included in attorney's fees awarded to the prevailing party in an employment discrimination case. Extends the time limit for an aggrieved employee or employment applicant to file a civil action after notice of final action by a department, agency, or unit of the Federal Government. Requires the same interest to compensate for delay in payment by the Government as in cases involving non-public parties. Amends Federal law to declare that: (1) for purposes of provisions relating to equal rights under the law, the right to make and enforce contracts includes the making, performance, modification, and termination of contracts, and the enjoyment of all benefits, privileges, terms, and conditions of the contract; and (2) the rights protected by the amended provisions are protected against impairment by non-governmental discrimination as well as against impairment under color of State law. Amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to require the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to notify the person aggrieved if an age discrimination charge is dismissed by the Commission. Allows a civil suit to be brought within a specified time limit after the dismissal. Provides for the application of this Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to the Senate, the House of Representatives, and instrumentalities of the Congress. Prohibits construing the amendments made by this Act, or any statute amended by this Act, so as to require, permit, or result in the adoption or implementation of quotas. Encourages the use of alternative means of dispute resolution to resolve disputes arising under the Acts amended by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1990
Silver Coin Proof Sets Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to sell annually to the public sets of proof coins made of an alloy of 90 percent silver and ten percent copper. Requires the Secretary to obtain silver for such coins by purchase from stockpiles established under the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act and from Treasury stocks on hand.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 1990
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should declare November 2, 1990, a national day of prayer for: (1) members of American military forces and American citizens stationed or held hostage in the Middle East, and for their families; and (2) American and Iraqi authorities to bring about a just resolution of the Persian Gulf crisis.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 1990
Declares that the Congress, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Wounded Knee Massacre of December 29, 1890, acknowledges the historical significance of this event as the last armed conflict of the Indian wars period resulting in the tragic death and injury of approximately 350 to 375 Indian men, women, and children of Chief Big Foot's band of Minneconjou Sioux. Expresses the deep regret of the Congress on behalf of the United States to the descendants of the victims, survivors, and their respective tribal communities. Commends the efforts of reconciliation initiated by the State of South Dakota and the Wounded Knee Survivors Association. Expresses the support of the Congress for the establishment of a suitable Memorial to those slain at Wounded Knee which could inform the American public of the historic significance of the events and accurately portray the heroic and courageous campaign waged by the Sioux people to preserve and protect their lands and their way of life during this period. Expresses the commitment of the Congress to acknowledge and learn from our history, including the Wounded Knee Massacre, in order to provide a proper foundation for building an ever more humane, enlightened, and just society for the future.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1990
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of the Senate and the Architect of the Capitol shall take necessary action to assure that recycled paper and paper products are used to the greatest extent practicable in the Senate operations, unless they: (1) are not available; (2) are available only at an unreasonable price; or (3) fail to meet end-use performance requirements. Requires the Joint Committee on Printing to examine the role of the Public Printer and to urge, in providing printing and other services to the Senate, the Government Printing Office to use recycled paper and paper products to the greatest extent practicable. Requires the Secretary of the Senate to report on the implementation of this resolution in the Senate.
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