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United States · Official source
2,344 records where Sen. Gramm, Phil [R-TX] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1991
Declares that the Congress acknowledges and appreciates the commitment, devotion, and sacrifices of present and former military families. Designates November 25, 1991, as National Military Families Recognition Day.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1991
Gulf of Mexico Preservation Act of 1991 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a Gulf of Mexico Program. Establishes within EPA a Gulf of Mexico program office (Office), to be headed by a Director appointed by the Administrator. Sets forth the duties of the Director, including collecting and making available information concerning the environmental quality of the Gulf and assisting the Administrator: (1) in coordinating Office activities with coastal and marine resources-related activities of any Federal, State, or local departments, institution of higher education, or private industry with a significant interest in coastal and marine resources; (2) by developing a comprehensive conservation and management plan (Plan) for the Gulf; and (3) in awarding grants. Lists duties of the Administrator, including overseeing the activities of the Director, conducting periodic reviews and evaluations of Program activities, and overseeing the development and implementation of cooperative programs with Federal, State, and local departments. Requires the Director to: (1) conduct a research project to determine the changes in the quality of the environment of living resources of the Gulf resulting from human activity and the changes attributable to other causes; and (2) give special attention, in carrying out such project, to changes in wildlife, shellfish, and key fish populations and assess any interrelated changes to the quality of the living resources of the Gulf. Specifies that such project shall include: (1) an assessment of the impact on the environment of such living resources of pollutants, nutrient loading, acid precipitation and deposition, the dumping of medical and plastic wastes, coastal beach erosion, and habitat degradation; (2) the use of measurements of dissolved oxygen as a determinant of water quality; (3) an assessment of the type and degree of bacterial infection in key fish species of the Gulf; and (4) an assessment of oil spill response activites in the Gulf. Directs the Administrator to conduct a study of regional environmental problems in the Gulf that are not confined to the jurisdiction of any Federal, State, or foreign entity. Authorizes the Administrator, upon completion of such study, to suggest entering into a cooperative agreement with, or participating in, a joint commission with the Mexican Government and any other appropriate foreign country to address such problems. Bars any such agreement from entering into force or such commission from convening prior to the date of issuance of the Plan. Requires the Administrator to develop and implement the Plan, which shall: (1) outline specific activities to be conducted under the Program by the Administrator; (2) provide for cooperative activities under the Program with Federal, State, and local agencies and with institutions of higher education and private industries with a significant interest in coastal and marine resources; and (3) set forth recommendations for actions by States to abate pollution in the Gulf or to otherwise improve environmental quality with respect to the living resources of the Gulf. Directs the Administrator to establish a program to award grants to assist States in implementing such recommendations. Authorizes appropriations. Earmarks 70 percent of appropriated funds for the grant program. Specifies that, in any budget proposal submitted by the Administrator for inclusion in the President's annual budget submitted to the Congress, the Administrator shall request that funding of the office be included as a separate line item.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1991
Designates 1992 as the Year of the Gulf of Mexico. Expresses the sense of the Congress that governmental entities that have responsibilities relating to the Gulf should work to increase public awareness concerning the immeasurable value of the Gulf's resources and conditions that threaten its aesthetic and economic value.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1991
Economic Growth Act of 1991 - Title I: Investment and Job Creation Incentives - Subtitle A: Reduction in Capital Gains Tax for Individuals - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a capital gains deduction for individuals for assets held from one to three years. Provides special rules for the gain or loss from the sale or exchange of collectibles and sales of interests in partnerships. Disallows such deduction in computing the alternative minimum tax. Revises the formula for determining gain from the dispositions of certain depreciable realty to take into account depreciation adjustments (adjustments allowed or allowable for exhaustion, wear and tear, obsolescence, or certain amortization). Subtitle B: Inflation Adjustment for Investments - Requires indexing, based on the consumer price index, of the adjusted basis of certain assets (corporate stock and tangible property that is a capital asset of property used in a trade or business after April 15, 1991) that have been held for more than one year at the time of sale or other transfer, solely for the purpose of determining gain or loss. Provides for the inflation adjustment treatment of: (1) short sales; (2) regulated investment companies and real estate investment trusts; and (3) partnerships, S corporations, and common trust funds. Prohibits gain from the sale or other disposition of an indexed asset from being taken into account under the limitation on investment interest. Subtitle C: Enterprise Zones - Part I: Designation - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (Secretary) to designate enterprise zones for purposes of providing tax and regulatory relief and improving local services. Limits choices to areas nominated by States and local governments. Limits the total number of areas that may be designated, and the time period of the designation. Authorizes the Secretary to designate a zone only if the area meets certain locational, demographic, unemployment, and poverty criteria. Requires nominating local governments, as a condition of the Secretary's designation, to agree in writing to follow a course of action that may include reducing tax rates, improving local services, simplifying or streamlining regulation of business, and providing job training to area residents. Describes areas to which the Secretary must give preference in selecting areas for designation. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress every two years on the effects of such enterprise zones' designation in accomplishing the purposes of this Act. Part II: Federal Income Tax Incentives - Allows a nonrefundable income tax credit to enterprise zone employees for five percent of any wages earned that do not exceed a specified amount. Phases out such credit. Provides for the nonrecognition of capital gain on the sale of enterprise zone property. Allows a taxpayer a deduction on the aggregate amount paid for the purchase of enterprise stock on its original issue by a qualified issuer. Requires any gain from the disposition of the stock to be treated as ordinary income. Excludes enterprise zone capital gains from income computation of alternative minimum taxes. Part III: Regulatory Flexibility - Amends Federal law to revise the definition of "small entity" for purposes of the analysis of regulatory functions to include qualified business, government, and nonprofit enterprises operating within enterprise zones. Authorizes Federal agencies, upon request by a designating government, to waive or modify rules and regulations pertaining to the implementation of projects or activities within an enterprise zone. Requires agencies to approve the request if the resulting benefits of job creation, community development, or economic revitalization outweigh the public interest in retaining the rule unchanged. Disallows waiver or modification of a rule that would directly violate a statutory requirement or present a danger to the public health and safety. Part IV: Establishment of Foreign-Trade Zones in Enterprise Zones - Requires the Foreign-Trade Zone Board to consider on a priority basis and to expedite the processing of applications for the establishment of foreign-trade zones within enterprise zones. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to give priority to, and expedite applications for, the establishment of ports of entry necessary to establish such zones. Part V: Repeal of Title VII of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987 - Repeals title VII (enterprise zone development) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987. Subtitle D: Research and Experimentation Credit Made Permanent - Makes permanent the tax credit for increasing research activities and the tax credit for clinical testing expenses. Title II: Savings Incentives - Allows individuals to establish individual retirement plus accounts with tax treatment similar to that for individual retirement plans. Makes contributions to such accounts nondeductible. Allows existing individual retirement accounts (IRA) to be rolled over into individual retirement plus accounts with payment of tax on the amount rolled over for which a deduction was once allowable, but no tax when withdrawn. Title III: Homeownership Incentives - Subtitle A: First-Time Homebuyers - Allows a tax credit for the first-time purchase of a principal residence by individuals with incomes of $31,000 or less (phased-out to incomes of up to $41,000). Limits such credit to $1,000. Subtitle B: Penalty-Free IRA Plus Withdrawal for Home Purchase, Higher Education, and Health Costs - Allows penalty-free distributions from IRA Plus accounts of up to 25 percent of the account limit for: (1) first-time homebuyers; (2) medical expenses; and (3) higher education expenses. Title IV: Work Incentives - Subtitle A: Reduction in Social Security Penalty on Working Elderly - Amends title II of the Social Security Act (Federal Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Benefits) to raise the earnings limit for retirees. Appropriates to each payor fund amounts equivalent to the aggregate increase in social security benefits payable from such fund which is attributable to such amendment. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study during 1997 whether further amendments relating to deductions on account of work and the exempt amount under the earnings limit are necessary or appropriate. Subtitle B: Economic Growth Dividend - Requires any economic growth dividend (as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury) to be used to increase the personal exemption amount. Requires, after 1995, all revenues resulting from real growth in the gross national product greater than three percent to fund an increased personal exemption. Requires, for fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 1992, and before October 1, 1995, that 50 percent of such dividend be used to increase the personal exemption amount and the other 50 percent be used to make a downward adjustment in the maximum deficit amount.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1991
Recognizes and grants a Federal charter to the Military Order of the World Wars, a nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of the District of Columbia.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1991
Recognizes and commemorates the tenth anniversary of the enactment of the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1991
Designates November 1991 as National Accessible Housing Month.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1991
Constitutional Amendment - Requires the Congress, prior to each fiscal year, to adopt a statement in which total Federal outlays (except those for repayment of debt principal) do not exceed total receipts (except those derived from borrowing), unless a three-fifths vote of both Houses authorizes a specific excess. Limits the rate of increase in receipts in the statement to that of the increase in national income in the previous calendar year, unless law is enacted solely to approve specific additional receipts by a three-fifths majority vote of both Houses. Directs the President to submit a balanced budget. Authorizes waiver of these provisions in time of war. Sets a permanent limit on the amount of Federal public debt, prohibiting any increase unless legislation enacted by a three-fifths majority of both Houses becomes law.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1991
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the 1981 Israeli preemptive strike against the Iraqi nuclear reactor at Osirak was a legitimate and justifiable exercise of self-defense which also reduced the threat of Iraqi nuclear aggression against countries bordering Iraq; and (2) the United States should seek the repeal of United Nations Security Council Resolution 487 which condemned the strike.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1991
Comprehensive Wetlands Conservation and Management Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to revise provisions concerning permits for dredged or fill material. Prohibits, unless such activity is undertaken pursuant to a permit issued by the Secretary of the Army: (1) the discharge of dredged or fill material into U.S. waters; or (2) the draining, channelization, or excavation of wetlands. Authorizes the Secretary to issue permits for such activities. Sets forth permit application procedures. Requires the Secretary, upon receiving applications, to: (1) classify as Type A wetlands wetlands that are of critical significance to the long-term conservation of the ecosystem of which they are a part and which meet specified requirements; (2) classify as Type B wetlands wetlands that provide habitat for a significant population of avian, aquatic, or wetland dependent wildlife or provide other significant wetlands functions; and (3) classify as Type C wetlands wetlands that serve marginal functions but exist in such abundance that regulation of activities is not necessary to conserve wetlands values and functions, or are prior converted cropland, fastlands, or wetlands within intensely developed areas that do not serve significant wetlands functions. Directs the Secretary to notify a permit applicant of the classification. Permits owners of interests in Type A wetlands to seek compensation for the fair market value of such lands. Provides that title for such lands shall pass to the United States upon acceptance of an offer for compensation. Deems such takings to be takings of surface interests in lands only or water rights allocated under State law unless the Secretary determines that the exploration for, or development of, oil and gas or mineral interests is not compatible with conservation of the surface interests in lands that have been classified as Type A wetlands. Authorizes the Secretary to classify such interests as Type A wetlands and to notify the owner that he may receive compensation. Sets forth provisions concerning court jurisdiction and remedies for taking of interests. Requires the Secretary to deny a permit authorizing activities in Type A wetlands unless: (1) such activities can be undertaken with minimal alteration or surface disturbance; (2) there are overriding public interest concerns that require use of the lands for purposes other than conservation; or (3) the proposed use of the land will result in overall environmental benefits. Authorizes the Secretary to issue a permit for activities in Type B wetlands subject to conditions that ensure that the watershed or aquatic ecosystem of which such wetlands are a part does not suffer loss or degradation of wetlands values or functions. Imposes requirements for mitigation when such activities result in the permanent loss or degradation of Type B wetlands where such loss or degradation is not a temporary or incidental impact. Directs the Secretary to establish a mitigation banking program in each State to ensure compensation for loss and degradation of wetlands. Requires the primary objective of such programs to be to provide for the restoration, enhancement, or creation of ecologically significant wetlands on an ecosystem basis. Sets forth requirements of such programs. Permits activities in Type C wetlands to be undertaken without specified authorization. Authorizes the Secretary to issue general permits on a State, regional, or nationwide basis for activities in wetlands if such activities are similar in nature and will not result in the significant loss of ecologically significant wetlands values and functions. Exempts specified activities from this Act's requirements. Permits States or political subdivisions to submit land management plans for identified wetlands for the Secretary's approval. Authorizes and directs the Secretary to establish standards that govern the delineation of lands as wetlands. Prohibits more than 20 percent of any county, parish, or borough from being classified as Type A wetlands. Requires the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to undertake a project to identify and classify U.S. wetlands. Provides for public participation in such project and makes information concerning identification and classification available to the public. Authorizes the Secretary to commence civil actions for permit violations. Prescribes civil penalties for such violations. Authorizes States to administer permit programs for activities covered by this Act, subject to the Secretary's approval.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1991
Agriculture Disaster Assistance Act of 1991 - Title I: Emergency Livestock Assistance - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to prohibit a person from receiving emergency feed assistance under this title and disaster assistance for the same 1991 weather damaged crops. Subjects eligible recipients to specified combined payments and benefits limitations. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to implement an emergency forage program to reseed 1991 weather damaged forage crops. Limits: (1) Federal cost-sharing to 50 percent; and (2) individual payments to $3,500. Funds such program through the Commodity Credit Corporation (with a $50,000,000 limit). Directs the Secretary to implement an emergency freshwater aquaculture assistance program to restore 1991 weather damaged structures. Limits: (1) Federal cost sharing to 50 percent; and (2) program costs to $5,000,000. Title II: Emergency Crop Loss Assistance - Subtitle A: Annual Crops - Directs the Secretary to make 1991 disaster payments to producers of wheat, feed grains, upland cotton, extra long staple cotton, rice, peanuts, sugar, tobacco, oilseeds, and other nonprogram crops. Extends crop quality reduction disaster assistance through the 1991 crop year. Reduces disaster assistance payments in relation to Federal crop insurance payments. Requires producers to obtain Federal crop insurance for 1992 in order to be eligible for disaster payments and other specified assistance for 1991 crop losses. Sets forth exempted circumstances. Requires the Secretary to announce within a specified time the conditions for establishing a 1991 farm yield for forage-use-crops. Limits assistance under this subtitle to $100,000. Prohibits double payments on replanted acreage. Authorizes: (1) the substitution of crop insurance program yields for 1991 disaster assistance eligibility purposes; and (2) the Secretary to determine a de minimis yield for each crop eligible for reduced yield disaster payments. Subtitle B: Administrative Provisions - Directs the Secretary to make full disaster assistance available as soon as possible. Subtitle C: Sense of Congress - Expresses the sense of the Congress regarding disaster payments' purposes of preserving farm livelihoods and the financial health of rural communities. Title III: Other Emergency Provisions - Directs the Secretary to provide loan guarantees through the Rural Development Insurance Fund to rural businesses (including Indian tribes) who have suffered 1991 disaster damage. Limits: (1) individual guarantees to 90 percent of $500,000; and (2) aggregate guarantees to $200,000,000. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to authorize temporary crop acreage base shifting.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1991
General Accounting Office Reform Act of 1991 - Title I: Special Inspector General for the General Accounting Office - Establishes the Office of Special Inspector General for the General Accounting Office to be headed by the Special Inspector General. Requires the Special Inspector General to conduct a study and an audit of the operations of the General Accounting Office (GAO), which includes the drawing of samples of GAO studies and subjecting them to independent, outside review of accuracy, fairness, and professionalism. Requires appropriate reports to the Congress and the President on the results of such study and audit, including a review of whether GAO should be limited to strictly accounting and auditing functions. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: General Accounting Office Reform - Limits GAO use of funds for consulting services for FY 1992 to 75 percent of the amount spent for such services in FY 1991. Requires annual Comptroller General reports to the Congress on GAO's internal control structure. Prohibits GAO studies, investigations, or audits which have not been requested by the Congress or a Federal agency or are not required by statute. Requires reimbursement for GAO assignments and details to congressional committees and offices and to Federal agencies. Requires appropriate House and Senate leadership notification in cases of the former. Requires annual GAO reports on its employees detailed to executive agencies or the Congress for submission to the House and Senate leadership. Provides for congressional committee and Congressional Research Service and other congressional agency review and comment with respect to GAO draft reports. Prohibits GAO personnel from performing official duties in a combat zone. Requires GAO reports to the Congress and the President on studies or audits of Federal agencies to note the subject agency's lack of review or comment on such report. Requires the President to designate an Inspector General to conduct a financial audit and internal controls examination of GAO each Congress for submission to the President and the Congress. Requires the Congress to review the Special Inspector General's final report under title I and take appropriate actions.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1991
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to construct and test the Lake Meredith Salinity Control Project, New Mexico and Texas, to improve the quality of water to the Canadian River downstream of Ute Reservoir, New Mexico, and entering Lake Meredith, Texas. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a contract with the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority of Texas (Authority) for the design and construction management of project facilities by the Bureau of Reclamation and for the payment of construction costs by the Authority. Makes it the responsibility of the Authority to operate and maintain the facilities upon completion of construction and testing. Requires the Authority to advance all costs of construction of project facilities as the non-Federal contribution. Declares the Federal share to be all project costs for verification, design preparation, and construction management. Provides for transferring control of the project works to the Authority or to a bona fide entity agreeable to New Mexico and Texas upon completion of construction and testing, or upon termination of activities at the request of the Authority. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1991
Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site Act of 1991 - Establishes the Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site, Texas, to preserve the site of the first battle of the Mexican-American War. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to develop and transmit to specified congressional committees a general management plan for such site. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1991
Medical Injury Compensation Fairness Act of 1991 - Deems any person accepting or providing health care which is to be paid for, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, with funds under the Social Security Act, the Public Health Service Act, or any other Federal Act to have agreed to participate in the dispute resolution program established under this Act. Makes such agreement binding and enforceable in court. Requires any claim against health care providers for personal injury arising from care rendered under such Acts that is not settled voluntarily by the parties to be resolved only through a resolution service certified under this Act. Requires liability to be determined under the standard of care prescribed by State law except that, in certain circumstances: (1) particular services must be rendered in accordance with medical practice guidelines certified under this Act; (2) expert witnesses must possess specified qualifications; or (3) an alternative method of compensation which has been certified under this Act is applicable. Limits noneconomic damages. Reduces awards for collateral source payments. Provides for periodic payment of certain amounts for future damages. Prohibits paying punitive damages to the claimant, requiring in certain circumstances that they be paid to the State. Requires, subject to exception, that charges by the resolution service be paid by the party against whom the claim is substantially resolved. Amends provisions of the Internal Revenue Code relating to trade or business expenses to prohibit deductions for employer health plan expenses unless the covered employees agree to mandatory and final dispute resolution through a service certified under this Act. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop: (1) a standard notice to persons regarding their option to enter into agreements with health care providers to resolve claims in a manner consistent with this Act; and (2) a standard contract for such purposes. Requires health care providers, as a condition of eligibility for reimbursement under titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act, to make a good faith effort to enter into agreements with persons not subject to certain provisions of this Act to provide for the resolution of medical injury claims in a manner consistent with provisions of this Act. Deems contracts entered into in accordance with this provision to be binding and valid contracts in all courts. Directs the Secretary to promulgate: (1) regulations that establish the criteria and procedures to determine whether to certify an alternative dispute resolution service, allowing waiver of the criteria and procedures in certifying services sponsored by the States; and (2) regulations that establish the criteria for certifying medical practice guidelines and that establish the criteria for certifying alternative methods of compensating personal injuries and other losses without regard to provider fault. Declares that the procedures required by this Act are exclusive and prohibits any action seeking recovery for any personal injury covered by this Act in any State or Federal court, except as expressly provided in this Act. Provides that specified provisions of this Act apply to health care plans approved as part of collective bargaining agreements.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1991
Government Securities Act Amendments of 1991 - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to repeal the termination date for the Secretary of the Treasury's authority to promulgate regulations and issue orders governing government securities transactions by brokers and dealers (thereby permanently extending the Secretary's regulatory authority). Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) propose and adopt government securities sales practice rules designed to prevent fraudulent or manipulative practices; and (2) regulate disclosure and access to government securities price and volume information. Authorizes registered securities associations to adopt and implement government securities sales practices rules for their members which are consistent with those promulgated by the Secretary. Directs the Securities Exchange Commission to consult with the Secretary before approving a proposed rules change filed by a registered securities association, or before modifying such a rule (unless an emergency requires expeditious action).
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
Designates June 15, 1991, as Magna Carta Day.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1991
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Southwest Stars and Stripes Salute scheduled to be held from July 19 through 21, 1991, be recognized as a national event.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1991
Condemns the murder of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and others in the bomb explosion on May 21, 1991. Expresses regret over the deaths of Gandhi and other victims of election violence in India. Offers condolences to Gandhi's widow and children and to the people of India. Stands in solidarity with the Indian people in their effort to sustain the most successful democratic tradition in the developing world.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1991
Amends the Federal criminal code to make it a Federal criminal offense to leave or remain outside a State for the purpose of avoiding payment of arrearages in child support. Specifies that an absence of six months without any payment of arrearage shall create a rebuttable presumption of intent to avoid arrearage payment.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1991
Designates October 1991 as National Down Syndrome Awareness Month.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1991
Designates May 22, 1991, as National Desert Storm Reservists Day to commemorate the accomplishments of the men and women of the reserve components of the U.S. Armed Forces who proudly served the United States during Operation Desert Storm.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1991
Commends General Vessey and Foreign Minister Thach, and the Governments of the United States and Vietnam, for agreeing to establish an American POW/MIA office in Hanoi, Vietnam. Calls for the immediate establishment of such office. Expresses the sense of the Senate that such office should be authorized to serve as a liaison between the families of Americans missing in action and the Government of Vietnam through which such families can make arrangements with such Government to investigate the fates of their relatives.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt manufacturers, producers, and importers of less than 50 firearms per year from the firearms excise tax.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1991
Cancer Screening Incentive Act of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a refundable tax credit for expenditures (not paid by insurance or otherwise) incurred by the taxpayer for qualified cancer screening tests.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1991
Declares that the Senate expresses its: (1) regret that Senator Pryor's illness will require his absence from the Senate Chamber; and (2) heartfelt wishes to him for a speedy and complete recovery, and that he return to his duties, serving the people of Arkansas, in the near future.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1991
Designates February 14, 1992, as Flag Wavers Day.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1991
Expresses the sense of the Senate with regard to the significant contribution toward victory in Operation Desert Storm made by the defense-related industries of the United States and the importance of such industries in the future with respect to U.S. national security.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1991
Expresses the condolences of the Senate on the death of the Honorable John Goodwin Tower of Texas, and of his daughter, Marian.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1991
Declares that the Arab League should terminate its boycott against Israel and that the President should encourage U.S. allies and trading partners to enact laws prohibiting businesses from complying with such boycott and penalizing businesses that do comply.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1991
Big Thicket National Preserve Addition Act of 1991 - Expands the boundaries of the Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas, through the addition of specified lands in Hardin, Polk, and Tyler Counties, Texas. Requires the Secretaries of Agriculture and of the Interior to exchange commercial timberlands within and in the vicinity of the Preserve. Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior (the Secretary) from acquiring a specified area owned by the Louisiana-Pacific Corporation or its subsidiary, Kirby Forest Industries, Inc., without the owner's consent as long as the area is used exclusively as a youth camp. Requires the Secretary to study and report to specified congressional committees on: (1) alternative means of preserving the scenic integrity of the Village Creek and Big Sandy Corridor units; and (2) the costs associated with implementing such alternatives. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1991
Authorizes the Indian American Forum for Political Education to establish a memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia or its environs to honor Mahatma Gandhi. Prohibits the United States from paying any expense of establishing the memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1991
Social Security Trust Fund Integrity Act of 1991 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as amended by the Budget Enforcement Act of 1990, to specify that amendments to and conference reports on the concurrent resolution on the budget will not be considered in the Senate if they would decrease the excess of social security revenues over social security outlays.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1991
Expresses the sorrow of the Senate at the death of John Heinz, the late Senator from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1991
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States and the Soviet Union should lead an effort to promptly repeal United Nations General Assembly Resolution 3379 (equating Zionism with racism.)
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1991
Designates January 5 through January 11, 1992, as National Law Enforcement Training Week.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1991
Designates October 15, 1991, as National Law Enforcement Memorial Dedication Day.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1991
Declares that the Senate: (1) extends a warm welcome to His Excellency Lech Walesa, President of the Republic of Poland, upon the occasion of his State Visit to the United States; (2) recalls the historic ties between the people of both countries; (3) applauds his commitment to economic and political reform; (4) reaffirms the Senate's and U.S. people's support for the independence and security of Poland; (5) looks forward to cooperation with Poland on issues relating to security and stability in Europe; and (6) commends the Bush Administration's decision to reduce Poland's debt to the United States, applauds the Paris Club's decision to reduce Poland's foreign debt, and urges Poland's private creditors to do the same.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1991
Authorizes the States to waive application of the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 to vehicles used either for transporting farm supplies from retail dealers to or from a farm, or for custom harvesting, regardless of whether or not they are controlled or operated by a farmer.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1991
Recognizes and honors the reserve armed forces for their courage and contribution to the victory in the Persian Gulf through Operation Desert Storm.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1991
Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to direct the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish a program requiring domestic and foreign air carriers to conduct preemployment, reasonable suspicion, random, recurring, and post-accident testing of airmen, crewmembers, airport security screening contract personnel, and other air carrier employees responsible for safety-sensitive functions for use of alcohol or a controlled substance. Requires the Administrator to establish the same program for FAA employees. Sets forth guidelines for such program. Prohibits such employees from serving in safety-sensitive functions unless they have completed a rehabilitation program established under FAA auspices. Prohibits such individuals from performing air transportation-related duties if they: (1) engaged in such use while on duty; (2) prior to such use had undertaken or completed a rehabilitation program; (3) refuse to undertake such rehabilitation program; or (4) fail such rehabilitation program. Requires domestic and foreign air carriers to maintain a rehabilitation program for the identification and treatment of their employees who need assistance in resolving substance abuse problems. Requires the Administrator to establish and maintain such a rehabilitation program for FAA employees whose duties include responsibility for safety-sensitive functions and who need assistance in resolving substance abuse problems. Outlines the requirements of such program. Amends the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970 to direct the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to issue regulations that establish a program which requires railroads to conduct preemployment, reasonable suspicion, random, recurring, and post-accident testing of railroad employees responsible for safety-sensitive functions for use of alcohol or a controlled substance. Outlines the requirements for such testing program. Requires each railroad to maintain a rehabilitation program for the identification and treatment of their employees who need assistance in resolving substance abuse problems. Amends the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 to direct the Secretary to establish a program requiring motor carriers to conduct preemployment, reasonable suspicion, random, and post-accident testing of commercial motor vehicle operators for use of alcohol or a controlled substance. Mandates that such program include post-accident testing of a commercial motor vehicle operator in any accident involving loss of human life, serious bodily injury, or significant property damage. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations setting forth the requirements for a rehabilitation program for the identification and treatment of commercial motor vehicle operators who are determined to have used alcohol or a controlled substance. Sets forth the requirements of the testing procedures. Requires the Secretary to: (1) determine appropriate sanctions against operators who are determined, as a result of such tests, to have used alcohol or a controlled substances without lawful authorization (but who are not under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance); (2) design and implement a pilot test program for the random testing of commercial motor vehicle operators to determine the use without lawful authorization of alcohol or a controlled substance; (3) solicit (and select) State participation in such a program; and (4) submit a comprehensive report to the Congress setting forth the pilot program results. Authorizes appropriations for such pilot testing program. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations that establish a program which requires mass transportation operations which receive mass transportation assistance under the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 to conduct preemployment, reasonable suspicion, random, periodic recurring, and post-accident testing of mass transportation employees responsible for safety-sensitive functions for use of alcohol or a controlled substance. Requires the Secretary to issue regulations setting forth requirements for rehabilitation programs which provide for the identification and treatment of mass transportation employees who are determined to have used alcohol or a controlled substance. Outlines the requirements for such program. Requires the disqualification for a period of time or dismissal of mass transportation employees who have been determined to have used alcohol while on duty or a controlled substance, whether on duty or not on duty. Prohibits a person from receiving mass transportation assistance if such person is required to establish an alcohol and controlled substances testing program and fails to establish such a program.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1991
Establishes the Senate Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs to receive, concurrently with other committees of the Senate with jurisdiction, all messages, petitions, memorials, and other matters relating to U.S. personnel unaccounted for from military conflicts.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1991
Title I - Product Liability Fairness Act - Declares that this Act governs any product liability action brought against a manufacturer or product seller, on any theory, for harm caused by a product. States that a civil action brought against a manufacturer or product seller for loss or damage to a product itself or commercial loss shall be governed by applicable commercial or contract law. Supersedes any inconsistent State law regarding recovery in such actions. Lists specific laws not superseded, including: (1) defense of sovereign immunity asserted by any State or by the United States; (2) any Federal law (except the Federal Employees Compensation Act and the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act); (3) the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976; (4) State choice-of-law rules; (5) the right of any court to transfer venue or to apply the law of a foreign nation or to dismiss a claim of a foreign nation or citizen on the ground of inconvenient forum; and (6) any statutory or common law cause of action, including an action to abate a nuisance, that authorizes a State or person to institute an action for civil damages or civil penalties, clean up costs, injunctions, restitution, cost recovery, punitive damages, or any other form of relief from contamination or pollution of the environment or the threat of it. Declares that U.S. district courts shall not have jurisdiction over any civil action under this Act, based on specified provisions of Federal law relating to district court jurisdiction. Declares that, if any provision of this Act would shorten the period during which a manufacturer or seller would otherwise be exposed to liability, the claimant may, notwithstanding that period, bring any civil action under this Act within one year after the effective date of this Act. Title II - Allows any claimant to bring a civil action for damages against a person for harm caused by a product under applicable State law, except to the extent such law is superseded by this title. Sets forth expedited settlement measures, including: (1) an option to include an offer of settlement, for a specific dollar amount, by the plaintiff in the complaint and by the defendant in a responsive pleading; and (2) awarding attorney's fees and costs, in certain circumstances, to the prevailing party if the other party does not accept the settlement offer. Sets forth alternative dispute resolution procedures, including: (1) an option, in lieu of or in addition to a settlement offer, for a claimant or a defendant to offer to proceed under any voluntary alternative dispute resolution procedure established or recognized under the law of the State in which the action is brought or maintained; and (2) awarding of attorney's fees and costs to the offering party if the court determines that a refusal to so proceed was unreasonable or not in good faith. Creates a rebuttable presumption that a refusal to so proceed was unreasonable, or not in good faith, if a verdict is rendered in favor of the offeror. Title III - Allows a person seeking to recover for harm caused by a product to bring a civil action against the manufacturer or seller under applicable State or Federal law, except to the extent such law is superseded by this Act. Establishes a standard of product seller liability for proximate causes of harm, established by a preponderance of the evidence, which fall under the categories of negligence or express warranty. Allows the trier of facts, in a negligence action, to consider the conduct of the seller with respect to: (1) the construction, inspection, or condition of the product; and (2) failure to pass on warnings or instructions from the manufacturer. Deems the seller not liable for failure to provide warnings or instructions unless the claimant establishes that the seller failed to: (1) provide warnings or instructions received while the product was in the seller's possession and control; or (2) make reasonable efforts to provide users with warnings and instructions which it received after the product left its possession and control. Deems a seller not liable except for breach of warranty where there was no opportunity to inspect the product in a manner which would or should, in the exercise of reasonable care, have revealed the aspect which allegedly caused the harm. Declares that the seller shall be treated as the manufacturer and be liable for harm caused by a product as if it were the manufacturer if: (1) the manufacturer is not subject to service of process in any State in which the action might have been brought; or (2) the court determines that the claimant would be unable to enforce a judgment against the manufacturer. Allows punitive damages, if otherwise permitted by applicable law, to be awarded in any civil action under this title to any claimant who establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the harm suffered was the result of conduct manifesting a manufacturer's or product seller's conscious, flagrant indifference to the safety of those persons who might be harmed by a product. Declares that a failure to exercise reasonable care in choosing among alternative product designs, formulations, instructions, or warnings is not of itself such conduct. Prohibits awarding punitive damages in the absence of a compensatory award, subject to exception. Prohibits punitive damages against a manufacturer or seller of a drug or medical device where: (1) the drug or device was subject to pre-market approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); or (2) the drug is generally recognized as safe and effective under conditions established by the FDA. Prohibits punitive damages against a manufacturer of an aircraft where: (1) the aircraft was subject to pre-market certification by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); and (2) the manufacturer complied, after delivery, with FAA requirements and obligations with respect to continuing airworthiness. Provides for separate proceedings, if requested by the manufacturer or seller, with regard to punitive damages. Lists factors the trier of fact is allowed to consider in determining the amount of punitive damages. Bars any civil action under this title: (1) unless filed within two years after the claimant discovered or should have discovered the harm and its cause, subject to exception; and (2) if the product involved is a capital good that is alleged to have caused harm which is not a toxic harm unless filed within twenty-five years after delivery of the product, provided the claimant has received or would be eligible for State or Federal workers' compensation. Excludes a motor vehicle, vessel, aircraft, or railroad used primarily to transport passengers for hire from these time limitations. States that nothing in these provisions affects the right of any person who is subject to liability under this Act to obtain contribution or indemnity from any other person who is responsible for the harm. Requires reduction in the damages awarded by the sum of all State or Federal workers' compensation benefits to which the employee is or would be entitled. Requires a claimant in a civil action under this title who is or may be eligible to receive State or Federal workers' compensation to notify the claimant's employer of the civil action. Requires an action to be stayed, at the sole discretion of the claimant, until a final determination is made on the amount payable as workers' compensation benefits. Declares that, unless the manufacturer or seller has expressly agreed to indemnify or hold an employer harmless, neither the employer nor the workers' compensation insurance carrier shall have a right of subrogation, contribution, or implied indemnity against the manufacturer or seller or a lien against the claimant's recovery, except if the claimant's harm was not in any way caused by the fault of the claimant's employer or co-employees. Allows the employer or workers' compensation insurer to intervene in the action to prove that fact. Prohibits a third party tortfeasor, where workers' compensation is involved, from maintaining any action for implied indemnity or contribution against the employer, any coemployee, or the exclusive representative of the injured person. Prohibits, for a person who is or would have been entitled to receive workers' compensation, any other action, unless a State or Federal workers' compensation law permits recovery based on a claim of an intentional tort. Makes these provisions inapplicable and declares that applicable State law shall control if the employer or the workers' compensation insurer asserts a right of subrogation, contribution, or implied indemnity against the manufacturer or seller or a lien against the claimant's recovery. Declares that, in any product liability action, the liability of each defendant for noneconomic damages shall be several and not joint. Requires the trier of fact to determine the proportion of responsibility of each party for the claimant's harm. Establishes a complete defense, in any civil action under this Act in which all defendants are manufacturers or sellers, that the claimant was under the influence of alcohol or any drug and that, as a result, the claimant was more than 50 percent responsible for the event which resulted in the harm. Defines "drug" to mean any non-over-the-counter drug which has not been prescribed by a physician.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1991
Economic Growth and Venture Capital Act of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the individual and corporate capital gains rate from 34 percent to 15 percent. Reduces such tax to 7.5 percent for low- and middle-income taxpayers. Requires indexing, based on the gross national product deflator, of the adjusted basis of certain assets (corporate stock and tangible property that is a capital asset of property used in a trade or business) that have been held for more than one year at the time of sale or other disposition, solely for the purpose of determining gain or loss. Provides for indexing the limitation on capital losses of noncorporate taxpayers.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1991
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) all Arab nations should recognize Israel, end the economic boycott against Israel, end the state of belligerency with Israel, and enter into direct negotiations with Israel for the purpose of concluding peace treaties and establishing full diplomatic relations; and (2) the United States should use all available means to influence and encourage the Arab states which were allied with it in the Persian Gulf War to achieve those objectives.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1991
Animal Research Facilities Protection Act of 1991 - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to make it unlawful for any person to: (1) steal or cause the unauthorized release or intentional loss of any research facility animal; (2) damage, vandalize, or steal any animal research facility property; (3) break into a facility with an intent to destroy, alter, duplicate, or obtain unauthorized possession of records, equipment, or animals; (4) receive, conceal, or retain any converted or stolen material, equipment, or animals from a research facility; or (5) enter or remain in a research facility with the intent to commit an act prohibited by this Act. Imposes a $5,000 fine or one year's imprisonment, or both, for violations of this Act. Prescribes fines of up to $10,000 or up to ten years' imprisonment, or both, for willful and malicious violations causing harm to persons or property. Increases such penalties if a person's life is placed in jeopardy. Provides for a private right of action for any research facility injured in its business or property by a violation of this Act. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture and the Attorney General to: (1) jointly conduct a study on the extent and effects of domestic and international terrorism on facilities in which animals are used for research, food production, exhibition, or pets; and (2) submit a report to certain congressional committees.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1991
Authorizes the President to present a gold medal to General Colin Powell in recognition of his exemplary performance in planning and coordinating the U.S. military response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1991
Authorizes the President to present a gold medal to General H. Norman Schwarzkopf in recognition of his exemplary performance in coordinating the planning, strategy, and execution of U.S. combat action and his invaluable contributions to the United States and to the liberation of Kuwait. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1991
Applauds and expresses the appreciation of the Nation to President George Bush, Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Colin Powell, Desert Storm Commander Norman Schwarzkopf, the American forces deployed in the Persian Gulf region, the forces from our coalition partners, and the families of American service men and women participating in Operation Desert Storm. Sends condolences to the families of those killed during such operation. Demands from Saddam Hussein: (1) the immediate release of all prisoners of war held by Iraq; (2) a complete accounting for all American and coalition forces listed as missing in action or otherwise unaccounted for; and (3) the immediate and unconditional release and return of all Kuwaiti citizens held by Iraqi forces. Urges all relevant authorities to seriously examine the issue of possible war crimes by Hussein and other Iraqi military leaders and forces and to hold Iraq responsible in principle for reparations for the destruction caused by the invasion and occupation of Kuwait.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1991
Condemns the Government of Cuba for its violations of internationally recognized human rights. Calls upon such government to: (1) release from prison all human rights monitors, independent activists, and other political prisoners; (2) respect internationally recognized human rights; and (3) allow the International Committee of the Red Cross access to Cuban prisons. Commends: (1) the United Nations Human Rights Commission for its attention to the human rights situation in Cuba; and (2) the U.S. delegation to such Commission for its diligence in pursuing this issue. Urges all member states of such Commission to support the continued investigation of Cuban human rights violations by the appointment of a special rapporteur or working group on Cuba.