United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1993
Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 - Prohibits any agency, department, or official of the United States or any State (the government) from burdening a person's exercise of religion even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability, except that the government may burden a person's exercise of religion only if it demonstrates that application of the burden to the person: (1) furthers a compelling governmental interest; and (2) is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest. Sets forth provisions pertaining to judicial relief, attorney's fees, and applicability.
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 · 10 March 1993
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to allow the participation in home- and community-based care programs of functionally disabled elderly individuals with: (1) incomes of up to three times the maximum amount allowed under the Supplemental Security Income program, at the State's option; and (2) two of five (currently, two of three) impaired activities of daily living. Exempts small community care settings which are not providers of home- and community-based care from survey and certification requirements. Requires case managers who have been properly trained to review such small settings for compliance with applicable requirements. Revises program funding provisions to: (1) guarantee States with a certain amount of funding over one year's election period; and (2) allow remaining funds to be carried over to the next fiscal year. Requires: (1) a State to notify the Secretary of Health and Human Services of its intention to provide home- and community-based care in order to receive Federal funding for it; and (2) the Secretary to notify each State which has submitted such a notice of the Federal funding amount available to it for the fiscal year. Requires the Secretary to evaluate and report annually to specified congressional committees on the provision of home-and community-based care by States. Revises the definition of developmentally disabled individual with respect to eligibility for community supported living arrangements program services. Allows program funds remaining at the end of a fiscal year to be carried over to the next fiscal year. Requires the Secretary to evaluate and report annually to specified congressional committees on the provision of community supported living arrangement services by States. Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 to reauthorize Alzheimer's disease demonstration projects.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1993
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act with respect to the home- and community-based care program to: (1) revise income and disability eligibility requirements; (2) limit the number of States which may participate in such program; (3) permit States to limit the number of individuals who may receive program services; and (4) revise application of Medicaid spousal impoverishment rules to spouses of individuals receiving program services.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1993
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise procedures under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) with regard to extra-billing limits, with changes including imposition of sanctions against physicians who fail to refund charges collected in excess of the applicable limiting charge. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services' report to the Congress monitoring charges for physician services to include the extent to which actual charges exceed limiting charges. Directs the Secretary to appoint a Medicare Beneficiary Advisory Council to discuss proposed regulations, carrier manual instructions, and other issues with an impact on Medicare services.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1993
Professional Baseball Antitrust Reform Act of 1993 - Amends the Clayton Act to make the antitrust laws applicable to the business of organized professional baseball, except as provided in the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1993
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the member nations of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights should cosponsor and vote for the resolution reappointing the Special Rapporteur on Cuba and calling on the Cuban Government to abide by internationally recognized standards on human rights.
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
Prisoner-of-War Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue a specified number of one-dollar coins emblematic of the experience of American prisoners of war. Requires that all sales of such coins include a surcharge of $5 per coin. Requires specified proceeds from such surcharges to be paid to the: (1) Secretary of the Interior for construction of the Andersonville Prisoner-of-War Museum in Andersonville, Georgia; (2) endowment fund established by this Act for the maintenance of such Museum; and (3) Secretary of Veterans Affairs to maintain national cemeteries.
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
High-Speed Rail Incentives Act of 1993 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to remove government-owned high-speed rail facility bonds from the volume cap on State private activity bonds.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1993
Natural Disaster Tax Relief Act of 1993 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow penalty-free distributions from individual retirement plans to pay acquisition costs to replace a principal residence that was destroyed or substantially damaged by the disasters Hurricane Andrew, Hurricane Iniki, or Typhoon Omar. Allows a farmer who has income derived from the sale or exchange of crops grown in such disaster areas, to elect to defer such income for the next taxable year. Provides a special rule for the self-employment tax. Requires the nonrecognition of gain of insurance proceeds for the contents of principal residences compulsorily or involuntarily converted as a result of a presidentially-declared disaster. Allows insurance proceeds from personal property and real property to be lumped together into one common fund. Extends the time to replace a principal residence so converted from two years to four years. Waives certain requirements with respect to low-income housing in areas damaged by the disasters Hurricane Andrew, Hurricane Iniki, or Typhoon Omar. Waives the dollar limitation for home improvement loans through mortgage revenue bonds for residences in such disaster areas.
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 · 24 February 1993
Limited Partnership Rollup Reform Act of 1993 - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to revise proxy solicitation rules with respect to limited partnership rollup transactions (in which general partners combine several limited partnerships into one unit that trades on a stock exchange, or a single limited partnership is reorganized so that some or all of the investors receive new securities or securities in another entity). Requires the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to prescribe proxy rules to: (1) permit dissenting shareholders in a proposed rollup to contact, without filing soliciting material with the SEC, other limited partners before the transaction date in order to determine whether to solicit proxies, consents, or authorizations in opposition to the proposed transaction; (2) require the issuer to provide a shareholder (limited partner) with a list of all limited and general partners involved in the proposed rollup; (3) prohibit the direct or indirect payment of any person providing solicitation services (a broker-dealer) on the basis of whether the solicited proxies, consents, or authorizations either approve or disapprove the proposed transaction, or the transaction is approved or completed; (4) require the rollup soliciting material to be clear, concise, and understandable and summarize all effects of the proposed transaction, its risks, conflicts of interest, changes in voting rights and ownership interests, dissenters' rights, and any report received by the general partner that is prepared by an outside party and is materially related to the rollup transaction; and (5) give each shareholder at least 60 days to review the soliciting material. Authorizes the SEC to grant exemptions from these requirements. Excludes transactions involving certain kinds of limited partnerships from the meaning of limited partnership rollup transaction. Requires the rules of a national securities association to prevent association members from participating in any rollup transaction unless it protects specified rights of dissenting limited partners. Requires a national securities exchange to prohibit the listing of any security resulting from a rollup transaction, and the rules of a national securities association to prohibit the authorization for quotation on an association-sponsored automated interdealer quotation system of any security the SEC designates as a national market system security resulting from a rollup transaction, unless such dissenters' rights were provided for.
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 · 16 February 1993
Amends the Airport and Airway Safety, Capacity, Noise Improvement, and Intermodal Transportation Act of 1992 with respect to the establishment of the National Commission to Ensure a Strong Competitive Airline Industry.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1993
Declares that: (1) the issue of children's rights and well-being is important to the United States and the world; and (2) the President should promptly seek the advice and consent of the Senate to ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
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
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Modification of Passive Loss Rules Title II: Provisions Relating to Real Estate Investments by Pension Funds Title III: Discharge of Indebtedness Real Estate Stability and Recovery Amendments of 1993 - Title I: Modification of Passive Loss Rules - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude certain rental real estate development activities from treatment as a passive activity for purposes of determining passive activity losses and credits. Title II: Provisions Relating to Real Estate Investments by Pension Funds - Modifies exceptions to the exclusion of real property acquired by a qualified organization from the meaning of acquisition indebtedness. Makes certain exceptions inapplicable to sales out of foreclosure by a financial institution. Applies the meaning of acquisition indebtedness to investments in certain large partnerships where the principal purpose of partnership allocation is not tax avoidance. Repeals the special rule for publicly traded partnerships with respect to the treatment of unrelated business taxable income. Permits a tax-exempt title-holding company to receive unrelated business taxable income of up to ten percent of its gross income, if the income is incidentally derived from the holding of real property. Excludes from unrelated business taxable income: (1) gains from the sale, exchange, or other disposition of real property acquired from financial institutions that are in conservatorship or receivership; (2) amounts received or accrued as consideration for entering into agreements to make loans; and (3) all gains on the lapse or termination of options, written by an organization in connection with its investment activities, to buy or sell real property. Provides for the tax treatment of pension fund investments in real estate investment trusts. Title III: Discharge of Indebtedness - Excludes from gross income income from the discharge of qualified real property business indebtedness. Applies the excluded amount to reduce the basis of the depreciable real property. Limits such amount to the amount of outstanding indebtedness over the fair market value of the property, reduced by any other qualified real estate business indebtedness. Excludes qualified farm indebtedness from the definition of "qualified real property business indebtedness."
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 · 3 February 1993
Authorizes the Air Force Memorial Foundation to establish a memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia or its environs to honor the men and women who have served in the U.S. Air Force.
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 · 3 February 1993
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1993
Medicare Geographic Data Accuracy Act of 1993 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to consult with State medical societies in revising the geographic adjustment factors used to determine reimbursements for physician services under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). Requires the Secretary to base geographic-cost-of-practice indices under Medicare on the most recent available data.
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 · 27 January 1993
Amends Federal law to allow reimbursements from the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund to municipalities for tax liens which had been placed on forfeited property.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Wilderness Additions Title II: Death Valley National Park Title III: Joshua Tree National Park Title IV: Mojave National Park Title V: National Park Wilderness Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions Title VII: Definitions Title VIII: Military Lands and Overflights California Desert Protection Act of 1993 - Title I: Wilderness Additions - (Sec. 102, 108) Designates as additions to the National Wilderness Preservation System 74 wilderness areas within the California Desert Conservation Areas (CDCA), the Yuma District, and the Bakersfield District of the Bureau of Land Management. Permits grazing in such areas. States that non-designated areas within the CDCA have been adequately studied for inclusion in the System and releases them from otherwise applicable restrictions. (Sec. 109) Designates certain lands within the CDCA as the White Mountains Wilderness Study Area. (Sec. 111) Designates certain lands in the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge and the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge in California as components of the System. Title II: Death Valley National Park - (Sec. 202) Establishes the Death Valley National Historic Park which subsumes the Death Valley National Monument. Withdraws the additional lands from further exploitation under the mining laws. Preserves grazing privileges on such lands for persons holding permits as of July 1, 1991. Terminates all grazing on July 1, 2016. Title III: Joshua Tree National Park - (Sec. 302) Establishes the Joshua Tree National Park which subsumes the Joshua Tree National Monument. Withdraws the additional lands from further exploitation under the mining laws. (Sec. 306) Continues the validity of certain rights-of-way of the Metropolitan Water District (MWD). Title IV: Mojave National Park - (Sec. 402) Establishes the Mojave National Park which subsumes the East Mojave Scenic Area. (Sec. 407) Withdraws Federal lands within the Park from further exploitation under the mining laws. Authorizes the Secretary to regulate mining in the Park. Preserves grazing privileges on such lands for persons holding permits as of July 1, 1991. Terminates all grazing on July 1, 2016. (Sec. 411) Continues the validity of certain rights-of-way to the Southern California Edison Company and the Southern California Gas Company. (Sec. 413) Designates the Granite Mountains Natural Reserve within the Park. Title V: National Park Wilderness - (Sec. 501) Designates as wilderness the Death Valley National Park Wilderness, the Joshua Tree National Park Wilderness Additions, and the Mojave National Park Wilderness. Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions - (Sec. 601) Directs the Secretary to transfer Red Rock Canyon State Park Additions in the CDCA to California. (Sec. 602) Establishes the Desert Lily Sanctuary within the CDCA. Withdraws Federal lands within the Sanctuary from further exploitation under the mining laws. (Sec. 604) Prohibits the Secretary and the Secretary of Agriculture from: (1) disposing of lands within the boundaries of any wilderness or park designated by this Act; (2) granting rights-of-way in lands within designated wilderness; and (3) making lands within such boundaries available for use by the MWD. (Sec. 606) Directs the Secretary to ensure access to the wilderness areas and parks, designated by this Act for traditional Indian cultural and religious purposes. (Sec. 607) Reserves Federal water rights for wilderness areas designated by this Act. (Sec. 608) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 609) Directs the Secretary, upon request of the affected parties, to enter into negotiations for agreements to exchange certain Federal lands for California State School Lands and Catellus Development Corporation lands located within the boundaries of the wilderness areas or park units designated by this Act. Title VII: Definitions - (Sec. 701) Sets forth specified definitions. Title VIII: Military Lands and Overflights - California Military Lands Withdrawal and Overflights Act of 1991 - (Sec. 802) States that nothing in this Act shall preclude military overflights over park or wilderness areas designated by this Act. (Sec. 803) Withdraws from appropriation under public land laws, and reserves for defense-related purposes by the Secretary of the Navy, specified lands in California known as the China Lake Naval Weapons Center and Chocolate Mountain. Withdraws such lands from the mining and mineral leasing laws. (Sec. 805) Directs the Secretary of the Navy to take necessary precautions to prevent and suppress brush and range fires occurring on such lands as a result of military activities. (Sec. 805) Assigns management responsibility for the China Lake area to the Secretary of the Navy. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to be responsible for the issuance of any lease, easement, right-of-way, and other authorization with respect to any activity on the withdrawn lands. (Sec. 806) Terminates land withdrawals under this Act 25 years after this Act's enactment. Requires the Secretary of the Navy to publish a draft environmental impact statement on the continued or renewed withdrawal of lands under this Act. (Sec. 807) Requires the Secretary of the Navy to maintain a decontamination program for such lands during their withdrawal. (Sec. 808) Requires the Secretary of the Navy to notify the Secretary of the Interior whether an extension is going to be requested and, if not, to what extent such lands are contaminated with hazardous materials. Requires the Secretary of the Navy to decontaminate relinquished lands, but if such decontamination is not practicable or economically feasible, authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to refuse to accept such lands. Requires the Secretary of the Navy to: (1) warn the public of risks of entry; (2) conduct only decontamination activities on such lands after the expiration of the withdrawal; and (3) report to the Secretary of the Interior and the Congress on the status of such lands. (Sec. 811) Exempts the United States from liability for damages resulting from nonmilitary activity on withdrawn lands. (Sec. 812) Authorizes the Navy's use of the El Centro Ranges in Imperial County, California, through 1995, subject to resource protection requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1993
Jefferson Commemorative Coin Act of 1993 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue one-dollar silver coins emblematic of Thomas Jefferson and his home, Monticello. Mandates that all surcharges received from the sale of such coins be paid to the Jefferson Endowment Fund and to the Corporation for Jefferson's Poplar Forest. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the coin program shall be self-sustaining and that its administration should result in no net cost to the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1993
Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 - Requires executive agency heads to submit to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a strategic plan for performance goals of their agency's program activities. Requires such plan to cover at least a five-year period and to be updated at least every three years. Requires the inclusion of performance plans in the President's budget. Directs the Director to require each agency to prepare annual performance plans covering each program activity in the agency's budget. Requires executive agency heads to report annually to the President and the Congress on program performance for the previous fiscal year, setting forth performance indicators, actual program performance, and a comparison with plan goals for that fiscal year. Specifies the contents of such reports. Authorizes the Director to exempt any agency with annual outlays of $20 million or less from strategic and performance plan reporting requirements. Allows performance plans to include proposals to waive administrative procedural requirements and controls in return for specific individual or organization accountability to achieve a performance goal. Requires the Director of OMB to designate: (1) no fewer than ten agencies (representing a range of Government functions) as pilot projects in performance measurement; (2) no fewer than five agencies (selected from agencies in performance measurement pilot projects) as pilot projects in managerial accountability and flexibility; and (3) no fewer than five agencies (selected from agencies in performance measurement pilot projects) as pilot projects in performance budgeting. Sets forth provisions with respect to strategic and performance planning at the U.S. Postal Service. Directs the Office of Personnel Management to develop a strategic planning and performance measurement training component for its management training.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1993
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 · 21 January 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Elevation of the Environmental Protection Agency to Cabinet Level Title II: Environmental Role of the United States in International Organizations to Which it Belongs Title III: Establishment of the Commission on Improving Environmental Protection Title IV: Effective Date Department of the Environment Act of 1993- Title I: Elevation of the Environmental Protection Agency to Cabinet Level - Department of the Environment Act - Redesignates the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the Department of the Environment. Encourages the Secretary of the Environment to: (1) assist the Secretary of State in participating in international environmental protection agreements and organizations; (2) conduct research on and develop responses to international environmental problems; and (3) provide assistance to foreign countries and international bodies to improve the environment. Establishes a Bureau of Environmental Statistics and an Advisory Council on Environmental Statistics. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes grants to, and contracts with, State and local governments to assist in data collection. Directs the Secretary to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences for a report on the adequacy of the Department's data collection procedures and capabilities. Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth conflict-of-interest disclosure requirements for persons entering into arrangements for services with the Secretary. Requires public notice when the award of a contract may result in a conflict of interests. Title II: Environmental Role of the United States in International Organizations to Which It Belongs - Urges the Secretary of State to convene international conferences to encourage the exchange of information on energy efficiency and environmentally acceptable renewable energy sources. Requires the President to encourage the establishment of an international office to monitor annual generation of carbon dioxide and trace gases on a country-by-country basis. Title III: Establishment of the Commission on Improving Environmental Protection - Establishes the Commission on Improving Environmental Protection to make recommendations on the implementation of Federal environmental laws to protect human health and the environment. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Safe Streets for Women Subtitle A: Federal Penalties for Sex Crimes Subtitle B: Law Enforcement and Prosecution Grants to Reduce Violent Crimes Against Women Subtitle C: Safety for Women in Public Transit and Public Parks Subtitle D: National Commission on Violence Against Women Subtitle E: New Evidentiary Rules Subtitle F: Assistance to Victims of Sexual Assault Title II: Safe Homes for Women Subtitle A: Family Violence Prevention and Services Act Amendments Subtitle B: Interstate Enforcement Subtitle C: Arrest in Spousal Abuse Cases Subtitle D: Funding for Shelters Subtitle E: Family Violence Prevention and Services Act Amendments Subtitle F: Youth Education and Domestic Violence Subtitle G: Confidentiality for Abused Persons Subtitle H: Technical Amendments Subtitle I: Data and Research Title III: Civil Rights Title IV: Safe Campuses for Women Title V: Equal Justice for Women in the Courts Act Subtitle A: Education and Training for Judges and Court Personnel in State Courts Subtitle B: Education and Training for Judges and Court Personnel in Federal Courts Violence Against Women Act of 1993 - Title I: Safe Streets for Women - Safe Streets for Women Act of 1993 - Subtitle A: Federal Penalties for Sex Crimes - Amends the Federal criminal code to: (1) authorize judges to increase sentences for repeat sex offenders to up to twice that otherwise authorized by statute; and (2) require the U.S. Sentencing Commission to amend sentencing guidelines to increase the base offense level applicable to criminal sexual abuse. (Sec. 113) Requires that a court order restitution for violations of Federal sexual abuse laws. (Sec. 114) Authorizes appropriations to U.S. Attorneys to appoint victim/witness counselors for the prosecution of sex crimes and domestic violence crimes. Subtitle B: Law Enforcement and Prosecution Grants to Reduce Violent Crimes Against Women - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to require the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance to make grants to areas of high intensity crime against women. Authorizes the Director to make general grants to: (1) States to reduce violent crimes against women; and (2) Indian tribes to reduce violent crimes against women in Indian country. Subtitle C: Safety for Women in Public Transit and Public Parks - Amends the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 to direct the Secretary of Transportation, from funds authorized under existing provisions, to make capital grants for the prevention of crime and to increase security in existing and future public transportation systems. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants and loans to States and local public bodies to increase the safety of public transportation through lighting, camera surveillance, security phones, or other projects. Directs the Secretary to provide grants and loans to study ways to reduce violent crimes against women in public transit through better design or operation of public transit systems. (Sec. 132) Amends: (1) the National Park System Improvements in Administration Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide assistance to reduce violent crime in the National Park System; and (2) the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 to direct such Secretary to provide grants for capital improvements and other measures to increase safety in urban parks and recreation areas. Subtitle D: National Commission on Violence Against Women - Establishes the National Commission on Violence Against Women to promote a national policy on violent crime against women and to make recommendations on reducing such crime. Subtitle E: New Evidentiary Rules - Amends the Federal Rules of Evidence to exclude, in criminal cases other than sex offense cases, reputation or opinion evidence of the past sexual behavior of a victim from admission into evidence. Allows other types of evidence of a victim's past sexual behavior in accordance with specified procedures if its probative value outweighs the danger of unfair prejudice. (Sec. 152) Makes reputation or opinion evidence of the plaintiff's past sexual behavior inadmissible in a civil action involving allegations of actionable sexual misconduct. Makes other types of evidence of a plaintiff's past sexual behavior admissible in accordance with specified procedures if its probative value outweighs the danger of unfair prejudice. (Sec. 154) Makes evidence of an alleged victim's clothing, in a criminal case under Federal laws relating to sexual abuse, inadmissible to show that the victim incited or invited the offense. Subtitle F: Assistance to Victims of Sexual Assault - Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow States to use amounts transferred by the State under block grant provisions for rape prevention and education programs conducted by rape crisis centers or similar nongovernmental nonprofit entities. (Sec. 162) Requires grant recipients under this title to incur the full cost of forensic medical exams for victims of sexual assault. (Sec. 163) Amends the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make grants to private, nonprofit agencies for street-based outreach and education for female runaway, homeless, and street youth who have been subjected to or are at risk of being subjected to sexual abuse. (Sec. 164) Amends the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to provide for a victim's right to make a statement at the sentencing of a criminal defendant in cases involving a crime of violence or sexual abuse. Title II: Safe Homes for Women - Safe Homes for Women Act of 1993 - Subtitle A: Family Violence Prevention and Services Act Amendments - Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) to authorize the Secretary of HHS to award grants to one or more private, nonprofit entities to provide for the operation of a national, toll-free telephone hotline to provide information and assistance to victims of domestic violence. Subtitle B: Interstate Enforcement - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide for a Federal term of imprisonment or fine, in addition to any State penalties, for any person who: (1) in the course of or as a result of travelling across State lines injures his or her spouse or intimate partner (partner); (2) crosses State lines for the purpose of harassing, intimidating, or injuring a partner and who injures such partner; (3) causes a partner to cross State lines by force, coercion, duress, or fraud and who injures such partner; or (4) commits such acts in violation of a valid protection order issued by a State. Provides for temporary protection orders while a case under these provisions is pending. Mandates that a court order restitution to the victim of an offense under this Act. Requires, provided certain conditions are met, that a protection order issued by the court of one State be accorded full faith and credit by the court of another State. Subtitle C: Arrest in Spousal Abuse Cases - Amends the FVPSA to authorize the Secretary of HHS to make grants, with regard to spousal abuse, to: (1) implement pro-arrest programs and policies in police departments and improve case tracking; (2) centralize police enforcement, prosecution, or judicial responsibility for cases in one group of officers, prosecutors, or judges; (3) coordinate computer tracking systems to ensure communication between police, prosecutors, and both criminal and family courts; and (4) educate judges to improve judicial handling of cases. Subtitle D: Funding for Shelters - Amends the FVPSA to authorize appropriations to carry out that Act. Subtitle E: Family Violence Prevention and Services Act Amendments - Amends the FVPSA to require that: (1) applications for State demonstration grants include a plan to address the needs of underserved populations; and (2) upon completion of activities funded, the State grantee file a performance report explaining the activities carried out together with an assessment of the effectiveness of such activities. Subtitle F: Youth Education and Domestic Violence - Amends the FVPSA to direct the Secretary of Education to select, implement, and evaluate four model programs for education of young people about domestic violence and violence among intimate partners, with one program for each of primary, middle, and secondary schools, and institutions of higher education. Subtitle G: Confidentiality for Abused Persons - Requires the U.S. Postal Service to promulgate regulations to secure the confidentiality of abused persons' addresses. Subtitle H: Technical Amendments - Amends the FVPSA to: (1) include among the duties of State domestic violence coalitions to work with local domestic violence programs and providers of direct services to encourage appropriate responses to domestic violence within the State; and (2) make technical amendments to such Act. Subtitle I: Data and Research - Requires: (1) the Director of the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) to request the National Academy of Sciences to enter into a contract to develop a research agenda to increase the understanding and control of violence against women; (2) the NIJ to study and report to the States and the Congress on how the States may collect centralized databases on the incidence of domestic violence offenses within a State; and (3) the Secretary of HHS to conduct a study to obtain a national projection of the incidence of injuries resulting from domestic violence, the cost of injuries to health care facilities, and recommend health care strategies for reducing the incidence and cost of such injuries. Title III: Civil Rights - Civil Rights Remedies for Gender-Motivated Violence Act - Declares that all persons within the United States shall have the right to be free from crimes of violence motivated by the victim's gender. Makes any person, including a person who acts under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage of any State, who deprives another of such right, liable to the injured party in an action for compensatory and punitive damages, injunctive and declaratory relief, and such other relief as the court deems appropriate. (Sec. 303) Allows the awarding of attorney's fees in actions to enforce this title. (Sec. 304) Expresses the sense of the Senate that news media, law enforcement officers, and other persons should exercise restraint, and respect a rape victim's privacy, by not disclosing the victim's identity to the general public or facilitating such disclosure without the victim's consent. Title IV: Safe Campuses for Women - Amends the Higher Education Amendments of 1992 to authorize appropriations for grants for campus sexual offenses education and prevention programs. Title V: Equal Justice for Women in the Courts Act of 1993 - Equal Justice for Women in the Courts Act of 1993 - Subtitle A: Education and Training for Judges and Court Personnel in State Courts - Authorizes the State Justice Institute to make grants for model programs to be used by States in training judges and court personnel in State laws on rape, sexual assault, domestic violence, and other crimes of violence motivated by the victim's gender. Subtitle B: Education and Training for Judges and Court Personnel in Federal Courts - Encourages the circuit judicial councils to conduct studies of any instances of gender bias in legal proceedings in their respective circuits. Authorizes the Federal Judicial Center to include in its educational and training programs information on issues related to gender bias in the courts. (Sec. 522) Directs the Judicial Conference to allocate funds (as specified) to Federal circuit courts that: (1) undertake studies under this subtitle in their circuits; or (2) implement reforms recommended as a result of such studies in their own or other circuits, including education and training.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1993
Declares that the United States should: (1) act to uphold Bosnia-Hercegovina's right to self-defense as provided under the United Nations (UN) Charter and seek the lifting of the international arms embargo as it applies to that country; (2) assemble a multinational coalition to enforce the existing UN "no-fly" zone over that country; (3) ensure that irregular forces there either withdraw, be subject to Government authority, or be disbanded and disarmed with their weapons placed under international monitoring; (4) ensure unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to all civilian populations there; (5) ensure unimpeded access to all camps, prisons, and detention centers there by international humanitarian organizations and facilitate the release of all detainees from such facilities; (6) seek an increase in the number of refugees from Bosnia-Hercegovina permitted to enter the United States and other European countries; and (7) work to ensure that those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity there are held accountable by an international criminal tribunal.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1992
Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to: (1) increase and make mandatory Federal hazard mitigation assistance in major disasters; and (2) require the President in carrying out such Act to seek to carry out mitigation activities on an individual and reimbursable basis, subject to any non-Federal contribution required by the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1992
Persian Gulf War Veterans' Health Status Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish and maintain a special record to be known as the Persian Gulf War Veterans Health Registry containing health status information with respect to individuals who served as members of the armed forces in the Persian Gulf theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War. Requires claims for compensation due to ill health to be included within such Registry. Requires the Registry's information to be collected and maintained so as to enable easy cross-reference with a Registry for the Department of Defense established under this Act. Directs the Secretary to notify individuals in the Registry from time to time on significant developments in research on the health consequences of such military service during such War. Directs the Secretary to provide a health examination, consultation, and counseling to any veterans eligible for listing or inclusion in the Registry. Authorizes the Secretary to provide such examination, consultation, and counseling to any veteran eligible for listing or inclusion in any other similar health-related registry administered by the Secretary. Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993 to direct the Secretary of Defense to establish a special record for members of the armed forces who served in Operation Desert Storm during the Persian Gulf War or who were exposed to the fumes of burning oil there. Requires such Secretary to establish such record with the advice of an independent scientific organization. Requires the Director of the Office of Technology Assessment to undertake a study making certain assessments with respect to the Registry and its utility and effectiveness in serving the needs of members serving in the Persian Gulf War. Directs each Secretary to provide the Director with access to required information in carying out such study. Requires reports to the Congress by the Director. Directs each Secretary to jointly seek to enter into an agreement with the Medical Follow-Up Agency (MFUA) of the National Academy of Sciences to review existing medical, scientific, and other information on the health consequences of military service in the Persian Gulf theater during such War. Permits MFUA, in conducting the review, to examine and evaluate the medical records of individuals included in the Registry and special record in order to identify illnesses. Requires such agreement to be entered into within 180 days after enactment of this Act. Requires the Academy to report to each Secretary and specified congressional committees on the results of the review carried out under the joint agreement. Requires each Secretary to provide amounts from their respective Department's FY 1993 funding to carry out the review. Provides that, if an agreement is reached with the Academy, each Secretary shall provide the Academy with funds in each of FY 1994 through 2003 for conducting epidemiological research with respect to military and veteran populations. Directs the President to designate (with authorized redesignation from time to time) the head of an appropriate Federal department or agency to coordinate all research activities undertaken by the executive branch on the health consequences of military service in the Persian Gulf theater of operations during such War. Requires the department or agency head so chosen to report annually to the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committees on the status and results of all such research activities during the previous year.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1992
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act wht respect to the home- and community-based care program to: (1) revise income and disability eligibility requirements; (2) limit the number of States which may participate in such program; (3) permit States to limit the number of individuals who may receive program services; and (4) revise application of Medicaid spousal impoverishment rules to spouses of individuals receiving program services.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1992
Depository Institutions Disaster Relief Act of 1992 - Amends the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 to cite conditions under which real property-related transactions located within a presidentially declared national disaster area may be exempted from the Act's appraisal requirements. Amends the Truth in Lending Act and the Expedited Funds Availability Act to authorize the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to make additional exceptions to the requirements of such Acts with respect to institutions located within national disaster areas if it determines that the exception can reasonably be expected to produce benefits to the public that outweigh possible adverse effects. Prescribes conditions under which the leverage limit formula prescribed under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, and specified publication requirements pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act, may be modified for insured depository institutions located in such disaster areas. Amends the Revised Statutes and the Federal Reserve Act to authorize national banking associations and State member banks, respectively, to make investments primarily designed to promote the welfare of low- and moderate-income communities or families. Prescribes permissible liability parameters. Expresses the sense of the Congress that specified Federal regulatory agencies should encourage depository institutions located in certain major national disaster areas to meet the financial services needs of their communities.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1992
Declares that: (1) the American people fund the campaigns of the major party candidates and they have a right to expect formal presidential and vice presidential debates; and (2) the Democratic and Republican presidential and vice presidential candidates should debate before the election of November 3, 1992.
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