The world's political record
Person
![Official portrait of Sen. Heflin, Howell [D-AL]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/h000445_200.jpg)
United States · Official source
2,803 records where Sen. Heflin, Howell [D-AL] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
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 · 12 September 1991
Establishes a Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States' Democratic Party (Commission) to coordinate ceremonial events and related activities during the calendar year of 1992. Directs the Commission to report on its activities to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate at the time of its termination on February 13, 1993.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1991
National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Act - Establishes the National Fallen Firefighters' Foundation. Declares that the Foundation is: (1) a charitable and nonprofit corporation to be organized under the laws of the State of Maryland; and (2) not an agency or establishment of the United States. Provides that the Foundation is to: (1) primarily encourage, accept, and administer private gifts of property for the benefit of the National Fallen Firefighters' Memorial and its annual memorial service; (2) provide financial assistance to the families of firefighers who die in the line of duty; and (3) assist in the recognition of such firefighters. Sets forth provisions for establishment and membership of a Board of Directors of the Foundation. Makes the Administator of the U.S. Fire Administration of the Federal Emergency Management Agency an ex officio nonvoting member of the Board, who shall appoint Directors of the Board. Sets forth rights and obligations of the Foundation, including having its principal offices in the State of Maryland. Authorizes the Administrator to: (1) provide, and accept reimbursements for, personnel, facilities, and other administrative services to the Foundation; and (2) accept the services of the Foundation, the Board, and the Board's officers and employees as volunteers in performing functions authorized under this Act. Sets forth requirements relating to audits and annual reports. Provides for relief for certain Foundation acts or failures to act. Provides that the United States is not liable for any debts, defaults, acts, or omissions of the Foundation. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1991
Judicial Survivors' Annuities Improvements Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal judicial code to authorize judicial officials of the United States (officials) to elect to contribute one percent of their salary and 3.5 percent of their retirement salary (under current law, five percent of their salary) to the Judicial Survivors' Annuities Fund. Requires an official who is not entitled to receive an immediate retirement salary upon leaving office but who is eligible to receive a deferred retirement salary at a later date to file, within 90 days before leaving office, a written notification of intent to remain within the purview of provisions with respect to the Fund (which shall constitute consent to contribute the 3.5 percent of deferred retirement salary) or be deemed to have revoked the election to participate under such provisions. Provides for the refund of deposits into the Fund for officials who leave office and are ineligible to receive a retirement salary, or who leave office and are entitled to a deferred retirement salary but fail to make an election. Counts as creditable service those years during which an official had deductions withheld from his or her retirement salary. Revises the formula with respect to the computation of the annuity to take into account the number of years during which the official had deductions withheld from his or her retirement salary. Authorizes an official who ceases to be married after making the election, to revoke such election in writing by notifying the Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Provides a credit for prior contributions made to the Fund by officials at the higher rate. Puts officials, including judges of the U.S. Claims Court, the District Courts of Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or the Virgin Islands, and bankruptcy judges and magistrate judges on a par with any other "justice or judge of the United States" (those covered under current law) with respect to eligibility for Government life insurance, termination of insurance, and conversion rights. Makes any member of a family who is a survivor of a justice or judge of the United States, a judge of the U.S. Claims Court, the District of Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or the Virgin Islands, a bankruptcy judge, or a full-time magistrate judge, eligible for Government health insurance.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1991
Authorizes the Administrative Conference of the United States to provide assistance, on a fully reimbursable basis, in response to requests relating to the improvement of adminstrative procedure in foreign countries.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1991
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to explicitly prohibit State or local governments from taxing OASDI benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1991
Federal Prison Industries Competition in Contracting Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to require that: (1) a decision by Federal Prison Industries (FPI) to produce a new prison-made product or to expand the production of an existing product be made by the Board of Directors of FPI (the Board) in conformance with the public notice and comment requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act; and (2) the corporation prepare and furnish to the Board a detailed analysis of the probable impact on industry and free labor of any proposal to authorize the production and sale of a new prison-made product or to expand production of a currently authorized product (such proposal). Requires such analysis to identify and consider factors including: (1) the number of vendors that currently meet Federal requirements for the specific product; (2) the proportion of the Federal market for the product currently furnished by small and disadvantaged businesses and businesses in labor surplus areas during the previous three fiscal years; (3) the share of the Federal market for the product projected for FPI for the fiscal year in which production will commence (or expand) and the subsequent three fiscal years; (4) whether the industry producing the product in the private sector has an unemployment rate higher than the national average, a rate of employment for production workers that has consistently shown an increase during the previous five years, or has an import to domestic production ratio of 25 percent or greater; (5) whether the specific product is an import-sensitive product; (6) the projected growth in the Government for the specific product and the capability of such demand to sustain both FPI and private vendors; and (7) whether authorizing the production of the new product will provide inmates with the maximum opportunity to acquire knowledge and skill in trades and occupations that will provide them with a means of earning a livelihood upon release. Bars the Board from approving such proposal if the product is: (1) produced in the private sector by an industry which has reflected during the previous year an unemployment rate above the national average; or (2) an import-sensitive product. Directs the Board to: (1) give additional notice of such proposal in a publication designed to most effectively provide notice to private vendors and labor unions representing private sector workers who could reasonably be expected to be affected by approval of such proposal; (2) solicit comments on the analysis required under this Act from trade associations representing private sector workers who could reasonably be expected to be affected by its approval; and (3) afford an opportunity, upon request, for a representative of private industry to present comments on such proposal directly to the Board. Requires the corporation to provide the Board with its recommendations regarding action on the proposal, taking into consideration the comments received. Requires: (1) the various Federal departments and agencies (agencies) to offer to purchase from FPI any product authorized to be offered for sale and listed in the UNICOR Schedule of Products (whenever it has a requirement for an FPI product); and (2) FPI to publish and periodically revise such Schedule. Sets forth provisions with respect to the solicitation of offers from FPI and contract awards to FPI on either a competitive or sole source basis. Prohibits the cancellation or withdrawal of a solicitation solely for the purpose of affording an agency buying activity the opportunity to enter into noncompetitive negotiation with FPI unless the Attorney General determines that FPI cannot reasonably expect to receive the contract award on a competitive basis and that such award is necessary to: (1) maintain work opportunities otherwise unavailable at the penal facility at which the contract is to be performed to prevent circumstances that could reasonably be expected to significantly endanger the safe and effective administration of such facility; or (2) permit diversification into the labor-intensive manufacture of a specific product that has been approved by the Board. Specifies that: (1) a timely offer received from FPI shall be considered eligible for award (even if the competition is restricted); and (2) FPI shall be required to perform its contractual obligations to the same extent as any other contractor. Repeals a provisions under which any dispute relating to the price, quality, character, or suitability of FPI products shall be arbitrated by a board consisting of the Comptroller General of the United States, the Administrator of General Services, and the President, or their representatives. Specifies that: (1) a decision by a contracting officer regarding the award of a contract to FPI or relating to the performance of such contract shall be final, unless reversed on appeal (but authorizes the Director of FPI to appeal to the head of a Federal agency an adverse determination made by a contracting officer, in which case the decision of such agency head shall be final); and (2) a dispute between FPI and a buying activity regarding contract performance shall be subject to final resolution by the board of contract appeals having jurisdiction over the buying activity's contract performance disputes under the Contract Disputes Act of 1978. Requires that the amendments made by this Act be implemented through modifications to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) within 180 days. Makes FAR subject to provisions of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (which assure publication in the Federal Register and the opportunity for public comment before the promulgation of a final regulation). Requires each Federal agency reporting to the Federal Procurement Data System through the General Services Administration to report all acquisitions from FPI. Amends the Federal criminal code to require the Board, in its annual report to the Congress, to include: (1) an analysis of the corporation's total sales for each specific product sold to Federal agencies, the total purchases by each agency of each specific product, the corporation's share of such total Government purchases by specific product, and the number and disposition of disputes submitted to agency heads; (2) an analysis of the inmate workforce, including the number of inmates employed, the number and percentage of employed inmates by the term of their incarceration, and the various hourly wages paid to inmates employed with respect to the production of the various specific products authorized for production and sale; and (3) data concerning employment obtained by former inmates upon release to determine whether the employment provided by FPI during incarceration provided such inmates with knowledge and skill in a trade or occupation that enabled such former inmate to earn a livelihood upon release. Directs that copies of such annual report be made available to the public at a price not to exceed the cost of printing. Authorizes the Department of Defense (DOD) to count toward the attainment of the goal set out in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1987 for participation by small disadvantaged businesses, historically Black colleges and universities, and minority institutions in DOD contracting opportunities, the value of any purchase of supplies or services made by FPI from an entity described in such Act for the performance of a contract with DOD.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1991
James Madison - Bill of Rights Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue: (1) five-dollar and half-dollar coins emblematic of the Bill of Rights; and (2) one-dollar silver coins emblematic of James Madison. Sets forth guidelines for their sale and issuance, and for financial assurances. Mandates that the surcharges received by the Secretary be transmitted to the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Trust Fund. Authorizes audits by the Comptroller General. Provides a general waiver of procurement regulations when implementing this Act. Requires the Secretary to submit monthly financial status reports to certain congressional committees.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1991
Veterans Dignity in Health Care Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that any veteran who is furnished hospital, nursing home, or domiciliary care in a Department of Veterans Affairs (Department) facility shall be entitled to purchase and consume tobacco products there. Requires the Department to maintain, and veterans being treated to have access to: (1) a commissary or canteen for the purchase of such products; and (2) a suitable indoor area for consumption of the products.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1991
Designates October 1991 as Country Music Month.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1991
Recognizes and grants a Federal charter to the Military Order of the World Wars, a nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of the District of Columbia.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1991
Federal Courts Study Committee Implementation Act of 1991 - Title I: Implementation of Federal Courts Study Committee Recommendations - Establishes an intercircuit conflict resolution demonstration program under which the Supreme Court may issue an order of reference with regard to a matter as to which the lower courts are in disagreement. Directs the Clerk of the Supreme Court, in such event, to select at random a court of appeals to hear the case for a decision en banc (which decision shall be final, subject to discretionary review by the Supreme Court within 30 days). Authorizes the Supreme Court to issue temporary rules supplemental to its own rules and to the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure governing the procedure in the Supreme Court and the courts of appeals in cases referred under this Act. Directs the Judicial Conference of the United States to establish a committee to monitor and evaluate, and to report to the Congress and the Judicial Conference on, the operation and effect of this title. Requires each committee of the Congress to include with any bill or resolution reported from such committee to the Senate or House of Representatives a judicial impact statement that represents that specified issues have been considered, including: (1) whether a private cause of action is contemplated; (2) the definition of key terms; (3) the types of relief available; (4) whether retroactive applicability is intended; and (5) the viability of private arbitration and other dispute resolution agreements under enactment and relief provisions. Requires each Member of the Congress, to the greatest extent practicable, to consider such issues for any bill or resolution introduced and any amendment proposed in the Senate or House of Representatives. Mandates that all submissions of budget requests and information related to the formulation of the budget submitted by the President for the Court of International Trade and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit be made to the Office of Management and Budget through the Federal judiciary in the same manner as a U.S. court of appeals. Amends the Federal judicial code to: (1) require (current law authorizes) the judicial council of each circuit to establish a bankruptcy appellate panel to hear and determine appeals, unless a judicial council establishes a joint panel to do so; and (2) authorize the Supreme Court to prescribe rules for the appeal of final and interlocutory decisions. Amends the Economic Stabilization Act of 1970 to allow appeals from orders or judgments entered by a U.S. district court in cases arising under such Act to be brought in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (Federal Circuit), subject to specified limitations. Amends the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 to transfer all cases of the Temporary Emergency Court of Appeals to the Federal Circuit. Includes within the jurisdiction of the Federal Circuit specified appeals under: (1) the Economic Stabilization Act of 1970; (2) the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act of 1973; (3) the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978; and (4) the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. Abolishes the Temporary Emergency Court of Appeals and transfers any pending cases to the Federal Circuit. Transfers jurisdiction for supervised release revocation hearings from district courts to the U.S. Parole Commission. Repeals a provision authorizing the judicial officer to commence a prosecution for contempt for a violation of a condition of release. Directs the Parole Commission to assign licensed attorneys as hearing officers in revocation hearings under this title. Title II: National Commission on Federal Criminal Law Reform - National Commission on Federal Criminal Law Reform Act of 1991 - Establishes the National Commission on Federal Criminal Law Reform to: (1) perform a comprehensive study of the Federal criminal laws and draft a proposed recodification; and (2) coordinate, cooperate, and exchange information with the Congress, the judiciary, and the Department of Justice in undertaking such recodification. Sets forth provisions with respect to the composition, compensation, director, staff, powers, termination, and reporting requirements of the Commission. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1991
WIC Protection Act of 1991 - Provides with regard to the Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): (1) that only State authorized food vendors may redeem food instruments; (2) for vendor criminal penalties and WIC disqualification (with alternative civil money penalties in cases of participant harship) for intentional misuse or theft of WIC funds; (3) that States may not impose sales tax on WIC food purchases; (4) for vendor training and qualifications review; (5) for participant and vendor sanctions; (6) that retail purchase food delivery systems shall use uniform food instruments, record date of use and purchase price, and identify food instruments to the vendor; (7) for State agency administrative appeal of Department of Agriculture sanctions; and (8) for claims and penalties against State agencies and WIC participants.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1991
Securities Investor Protection Act of 1991 - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to provide that private rights of action may be brought either: (1) five years from the date on which violations of this Act occurred; or (2) two years from the date on which such violation was discovered or should have been discovered through reasonable diligence.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1991
Family Dairy Farm Protection Act of 1991 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the amendments made by this Act shall be used to ensure the production of wholesome milk and dairy products at levels adequate to meet U.S. consumer needs. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to increase the basic milk price support level to $12.60 per hundredweight. Establishes a two-tier milk price support program if estimated Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) purchases exceed a specified amount. Bases support price adjustments on estimated purchases. Establishes a National Dairy Inventory Management Board whose duties shall include: (1) establishing support price adjustments; (2) estimating CCC milk purchases; and (3) carrying out a domestic dairy inventory management program. Sets forth minimum milk solid contents for whole, lowfat, and skim milk. Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to exclude from the definition of "meat food product" fresh pizza containing meat. Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to authorize a heifer export program as part of the dairy export incentive program.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1991
Pornography Victims' Compensation Act of 1991 - Creates a civil cause of action against a commercial producer, distributor, or exhibitor or seller of obscene material or child pornography by a victim of a forcible sexual crime. Conditions the recovery of damages on proof by a preponderance of the evidence that: (1) the material was a substantial cause of the offense; (2) the defendant is a commercial producer or distributor of the material, or commercially exhibited or sold the material to the sexual offender; (3) the producer, distributor, exhibitor, or seller should have reasonably foreseen that such material would create an unreasonable risk of such a crime; and (4) the production, distribution, sale, or transport of the type of material in the aggregate affects interstate or foreign commerce. Prohibits the finder of fact, in determining whether the material was a substantial cause of the offense, from considering the testimony of the offender. Authorizes the award of actual damages including compensation for pain and suffering, reasonable attorney's fees, and other costs of the suit. Sets a statute of limitations of two years from the date of the commission of the criminal offense giving rise to the action, or one year after any conviction for such offense, whichever is earlier.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow farmers' cooperatives to elect to treat as ordinary income or loss certain capital gains and losses from the disposition of assets used in conducting business with or for patrons.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 1991
Amends Federal law relating to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday Commission to: (1) increase its membership from 23 to 30 and its staff membership from five to eight; (2) increase the potential salary of a staff member from a GS-13 to a GS-15; and (3) authorize appropriations for FY 1992 through 1993.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1991
Federal Courts Study Committee Implementation Act of 1991 - Title I: Implementation of Federal Courts Study Committee Recommendations - Establishes an intercircuit conflict resolution demonstration program under which the Supreme Court may issue an order of reference with regard to a matter as to which the lower courts are in disagreement. Directs the Clerk of the Supreme Court, in such event, to select at random a court of appeals to hear the case for a decision en banc (which decision shall be final, subject to discretionary review by the Supreme Court within 30 days). Authorizes the Supreme Court to issue temporary rules supplemental to its own rules and to the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure governing the procedure in the Supreme Court and the courts of appeals in cases referred under this Act. Directs the Judicial Conference of the United States to establish a committee to monitor and evaluate, and to report to the Congress and the Judicial Conference on, the operation and effect of this title. Requires each committee of the Congress to include with any bill or resolution reported from such committee to the Senate or House of Representatives a judicial impact statement that represents that specified issues have been considered, including: (1) whether a private cause of action is contemplated; (2) the definition of key terms; (3) the types of relief available; (4) whether retroactive applicability is intended; and (5) the viability of private arbitration and other dispute resolution agreements under enactment and relief provisions. Requires each Member of the Congress, to the greatest extent practicable, to consider such issues for any bill or resolution introduced and any amendment proposed in the Senate or House of Representatives. Mandates that all submissions of budget requests and information related to the formulation of the budget submitted by the President for the Court of International Trade and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit be made to the Office of Management and Budget through the Federal judiciary in the same manner as a U.S. court of appeals. Amends the Federal judicial code to: (1) require (current law authorizes) the judicial council of each circuit to establish a bankruptcy appellate panel to hear and determine appeals, unless a judicial council establishes a joint panel to do so; and (2) authorize the Supreme Court to prescribe rules for the appeal of final and interlocutory decisions. Grants district courts original jurisdiction of civil actions based on diversity of citizenship where the matter in controversy exceeds the sum or value of $75,000 (currently, $50,000), if the plaintiff in such an action is not a citizen of the State in which such district court is located. Specifies that, on January 1 of each year, the monetary threshold necessary to meet the jurisdictional standard based on diversity of citizenship shall be increased by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for the preceding calendar year as determined by the Bureau of Statistics of the Department of Labor. Bars the removal of certain actions under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to Federal court unless the matter in controversy exceeds $10,000. Amends the Economic Stabilization Act of 1970 to allow appeals from orders or judgments entered by a U.S. district court in cases arising under such Act to be brought in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (Federal Circuit), subject to specified limitations. Amends the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 to transfer all cases of the Temporary Emergency Court of Appeals to the Federal Circuit. Includes within the jurisdiction of the Federal Circuit specified appeals under: (1) the Economic Stabilization Act of 1970; (2) the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act of 1973; (3) the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978; and (4) the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. Abolishes the Temporary Emergency Court of Appeals and transfers any pending cases to the Federal Circuit. Transfers jurisdiction for supervised release revocation hearings from district courts to the U.S. Parole Commission. Repeals a provision authorizing the judicial officer to commence a prosecution for contempt for a violation of a condition of release. Directs the Parole Commission to assign licensed attorneys as hearing officers in revocation hearings under this title. Amends the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act to: (1) extend from 90 to 120 days the period before exhaustion of remedies; (2) require States to enact fair and effective administrative procedures and remedies for inmate grievances within two years, and to submit such procedures and remedies to the Attorney General or the appropriate U.S. district court for certification and approval; (3) repeal a provision regarding minimum grievance standards and a provision authorizing the Attorney General to suspend or withdraw certification that administrative remedies are in substantial compliance with such standards; and (4) require the Attorney General to develop procedures for the prompt review and certification of systems for the resolution of grievances of adult inmates to determine if such systems are fair and effective in assuring the rights of such inmates (currently, to determine if such systems are in substantial compliance with certain minimum standards). Grants U.S. Magistrates original jurisdiction over claims under $10,000. Title II: National Commission on Federal Criminal Law Reform - National Commission on Federal Criminal Law Reform Act of 1991 - Establishes the National Commission on Federal Criminal Law Reform to: (1) perform a comprehensive study of the Federal criminal laws and draft a proposed recodification; and (2) coordinate, cooperate, and exchange information with the Congress, the judiciary, and the Department of Justice in undertaking such recodification. Sets forth provisions with respect to the composition, compensation, director, staff, powers, termination, and reporting requirements of the Commission. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1991
Designates the week beginning August 25, 1991, as National Parks Week.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1991
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
Designates the U.S. courthouse located at 15 Lee Street in Montgomery, Alabama, as the Frank M. Johnson, Jr. United States Courthouse.
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 · 10 July 1991
Designates March 19, 1992, as National Women in Agriculture Day.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 1991
Designates May 1992 as National Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1991
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, during the five-year period beginning on October 1, 1991, to conduct a rural mobile health care clinic program in States in which significant numbers of veterans reside in rural areas. Makes eligible for such mobile health care veterans otherwise eligible for veterans' health care who reside at least 100 miles from the nearest Department of Veterans Affairs health-care facility. Requires the Secretary to begin operation of at least three mobile health care clinics in each fiscal year of the program. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress an evaluation of the program. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 through 1996.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1991
Limited Partnership Rollup Reform Act of 1991 - Amends the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 to revise proxy solicitation rules with respect to partnership rollup transactions (in which general partners combine several limited partnerships into one unit that trades on a stock exchange). Requires any proxy rules prescribed by the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) to: (1) permit dissenting shareholders in a proposed rollup to contact other limited partners before the transaction date without first having to file a written proxy statement with the SEC; (2) prohibit any general partner from paying directly or indirectly any person providing solicitation services (a broker-dealer) on the basis of whether the solicitations either approve or disapprove the proposed transaction, or the compensation is contingent on the transaction's approval or completion; (3) require the issuer to provide to a shareholder (limited partner) a list of all limited and general partners involved in the proposed rollup; (4) require the rollup prospectus to be clear, concise, and understandable and summarize all effects of the proposed transaction, conflicts of interest, changes in voting rights and ownership interests, dissenters' rights, and other pertinent information; (5) provide that the soliciting material describe in reasonable detail any opinion, appraisal, or report that is prepared by a person, unaffiliated with the general partner or sponsor and received by the entity subject to the transaction or its affiliates and that is related to the proposed transition; (6) require that each prospectus be accompanied by an independent opinion on the rollup's fairness; and (7) give each shareholder at least 60 days to review the prospectus; and (8) contain such other provisions as the SEC determines necessary. Requires the rules of a national securities association to prevent association members from participating in any rollup transaction unless it protects the rights of dissenting limited partners, including: (1) the right to an appraisal and compensation, or to retain a security under the same terms as the original issue; (2) the right not to have dissenters' voting power unfairly reduced or abridged; (3) the right not to bear the costs of a rejected rollup; and (4) restrictions on the conversion of management profit-sharing interests and incentive fees into asset-based management fees. Requires a national securities exchange to prohibit the listing of any security resulting from a rollup transaction unless it provided for such dissenters' rights. Requires SEC rules to prohibit any national market system from trading any security resulting from a rollup transaction unless it provided for such dissenters' rights.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1991
Designates November as National American Indian Heritage Month, beginning in 1991.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1991
Shipbuilding and Repair Industry Free Trade Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to annually determine and publish the net shipbuilding and repair subsidy provided, directly and indirectly, to each major shipbuilding and repair company in foreign countries meeting certain requirements. Requires the information submitted to the Secretary in connection with the determinations to be treated as proprietary if it meets certain requirements of the Tariff Act of 1930. Requires each company to repay to its government the total value of the aggregate subsidy provided, plus interest. Directs the Secretary to: (1) require certification from both the company and the foreign government that the payments have occurred; and (2) if requested, verify the repayment. Directs the Secretary, if a company has not complied, to direct the Commandant of the Coast Guard to collect an annual assessment on each vessel constructed or repaired by the company. Sets the amount of the assessment at the amount of the net subsidy, adjusted by partial repayments and increased by any previous unpaid assessment. Prohibits a vessel from entering a U.S. port until the assessment is paid in full. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to provide for the judicial review of subsidy assessment determinations by the U.S. Court of International Trade.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1991
Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act of 1991 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from diminishing existing allocations of spectrum (available radio frequencies) to the amateur radio service after January 1, 1991. Requires the FCC to provide replacement spectrum to the service for any frequency reallocation after such date.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the provisions permitting small issues of tax-exempt bonds to finance manufacturing facilities and farm property.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1991
Designates October 4 through 10, 1992, as National Customer Service Week.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1991
Rural Crime and Drug Control Act of 1991 - Title I: Fighting Drug Trafficking in Rural Areas - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize appropriations, and increase the base allocation, for rural drug enforcement assistance. Directs the Attorney General to establish a Rural Drug Enforcement Task Force in each of the Federal judicial districts which encompass significant rural lands. Specifies the membership of such task forces. Directs the Attorney General to cross-designate up to 100 Federal officers with jurisdiction to enforce Controlled Substances Act (CSA) provisions on non-Federal lands to the extent necessary to effect the purposes of this title. Requires the Director of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center to develop a specialized course of instruction devoted to training law enforcement officers from rural agencies in the investigation of drug trafficking and related crimes. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Federal Law Enforcement Agencies - Authorizes appropriations to hire, equip, and train not less than 350 agents and necessary support personnel to expand Drug Enforcement Administration investigations and operations against drug trafficking organizations in rural areas. Title III: Increasing Penalties for Certain Drug Trafficking Offenses - Ice Enforcement Act of 1991 - Amends the CSA to increase penalties for specified offenses involving crystalline methamphetamine. Title IV: Rural Drug Treatment - Amends the Public Health Services Act (PHSA) to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a program to provide grants to hospitals, community health centers, and other appropriate entities that serve nonmetropolitan areas to assist in developing and implementing projects that provide, or expand the availability of, substance abuse treatment services. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Rural Drug Prevention - Amends the PHSA to require the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration (ADAMHA), to make grants to public and nonprofit private entities that serve nonmetropolitan areas to assist such entities in developing and implementing projects that provide, or expand the availability of, substance abuse prevention services. Sets forth requirements to receive grants. Directs the Administrator: (1) to give priority in awarding such grants to applications from community based organizations with experience serving nonmetropolitan areas and projects that are designed to serve areas that have no available existing treatment facilities; and (2) to the extent practicable, to provide grants to fund at least one project in each State. Limits grant awards to a period of up to three years, but allows the Administrator to establish a procedure for grant renewal. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the alcohol and drug abuse information clearinghouse required to be established under the PHSA to: (1) gather information pertaining to ADAMHA and other rural drug abuse treatment and education projects operating throughout the United States; and (2) disseminate information to rural hospitals, community health centers, community mental health centers, treatment facilities, community organizations, and other interested individuals. Title VI: Rural Land Recovery Act - Directs State and Federal prosecutors, when bringing charges against the operators of clandestine methamphetamine and other dangerous drug laboratories, to include, in addition to drug-related charges, counts involving infringements of applicable environmental protection laws, including illegal disposal of hazardous waste and knowing endangerment of the environment. Authorizes such prosecutors and private citizens to bring suit against the operators of such laboratories for environmental and health-related damages caused by the operators in their manufacture of illicit substances.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1991
Outlaw Gang Control Act of 1991 - Title I: Enhanced Penalties for the Misuse of Firearms and Explosives - Amends the Federal criminal code to make it unlawful to possess stolen firearms, ammunition, or explosives, subject to certain conditions. (Current law makes it unlawful to ship, transport, or receive stolen firearms, or to receive, transport, ship, sell, or dispose of stolen explosives.) Makes it unlawful to transfer a firearm having reasonable cause to believe that such firearm will be used to commit a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime. (Current law provides that the transferor must know that the firearm will be used to commit such crimes.) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the statute of limitations from three years to five years for specified violations of the National Firearms Act. Makes it unlawful for anyone other than a licensed manufacturer, dealer, or collector, who does not reside in any State, to receive a firearm. Specifies that whoever steals a firearm or explosive material that is moving in interstate or foreign commerce shall be fined, imprisoned for between five and ten years, or both. Establishes a mandatory minimum penalty of five years' imprisonment for possession of (current law specifies only using or carrying) a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime. Provides that: (1) the penalty for conspiring to violate the Federal firearms or explosives laws shall be the same as for the substantive offense; and (2) whoever steals a firearm from a licensed importer, manufacturer, dealer, or collector, or explosive material from a licensed importer, manufacturer, dealer, or permittee, shall be fined or imprisoned for up to ten years, or both. Title II: Seizure and Forfeiture - Expands the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to seize and forfeit: (1) personal property in connection with the investigation of violations of Federal criminal code provisions relating to the use or carrying of firearms during and in relation to a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime; and (2) real or personal property that is involved, used, or intended to be used in connection with, or which constitutes or is derived from proceeds traceable to, specified explosive materials violations. Prohibits the forfeiture of property to the extent of the interest of an owner or lienholder by reason of a violation committed without the knowledge of such owner or lienholder. Sets forth procedures with respect to the seizure and forfeiture of property under this title. Title III: Funds for Undercover Purchases - Requires that moneys expended from appropriations for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (BATF) for the purchase of alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and explosives for evidentiary purposes and subsequently recovered shall be reimbursed to the appropriation current at the time of deposit. Title IV: National Center for Outlaw Gang Analysis - Establishes within the BATF the National Center for Outlaw Gang Analysis to identify outlaw gangs that engage in drug-related and other violent crime, to gather and share intelligence on illegal drug activities undertaken by such gangs, to increase public awareness, to establish a national hotline for the public to report unlawful gang activity, to conduct seminars and conferences for law enforcement and correction agencies and community leaders, and to publish an annual report on gang identification, the incidence of gang use of explosives and firearms, and the results of Federal outlaw gang eradication efforts. Authorizes appropriations. Makes the Director of the BATF responsible for: (1) providing national oversight in the accumulation and dissemination of gang-related information; and (2) coordinating gang-related investigations by Federal law enforcement agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1991
Recreational Hunting Safety and Preservation Act of 1991 - Makes it unlawful to intentionally obstruct a lawful hunt (as defined by this Act) within a national forest. Establishes: (1) civil penalties for such violations; (2) procedures for individual and government agent complaints; and (3) permitted uses of collected penalty money. Authorizes injunctive relief. Permits an affected individual or sportsman's organization to bring a civil action to recover actual and punitive damages and attorney's fees.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1991
Designates the week beginning October 20, 1991, as World Population Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1991
Makes technical corrections to the Judicial Improvements Act of 1990. Extends to retired justices of the U.S. Supreme Court the exemption for teaching income from the requirement that outside income for a judge may not exceed 15 percent of his or her annual salary.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1991
United States Savings Bond Availability Act of 1991 - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to make an adequate supply of United States Savings Bonds available to an issuing agent for immediate, over-the-counter delivery to the public at the point of purchase.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the treatment of rental and nonrental real estate activities under the limitations on losses from passive activities.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1991
Designates the month of November 1991 as National Alzheimer's Disease Month.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1991
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the American public should observe the 100th anniversary of filmmaking in 1993 and recognize the American Film Institute's leadership role in preserving the art of film.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
Amends Federal patent law to extend the patent term for certain drugs composed of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents if during the regulatory review process: (1) the patentee filed a new drug application in 1982; (2) the patentee awaited approval by the Food and Drug Administration for at least 78 months; and (3) such new drug application was approved in 1988. Prescribes a formula for patent term extension, and sets forth administrative notification procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
Geologic Mapping Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish and maintain a comprehensive nationwide geologic mapping program, with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) as the lead Federal agency. Sets forth program objectives. Mandates: (1) participation by the USGS, the individual State Geological Surveys, and scientists from the academic community; and (2) appointment of a geologic mapping advisory group. Requires that the program include Federal, support, State, and education geologic mapping components. Sets forth objectives for each component, including the support component contributing to national paleontologic, geochronologic, geophysical-map, and geochemical-map data bases. Requires that the USGS prepare an implementation plan covering specified matters. Requires the USGS to establish a national geologic-map data base to be a national archive that includes all maps and data bases developed under this Act. Declares that geologic maps contributed to the National Archives should be standardized so that information can be assimilated, exchanged, and compared efficiently and accurately. Authorizes appropriations for each component.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
Federal Lands and Families Protection Act - Title I: Establishing Long Term Program - Provides for the establishment of a long-term Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service (FS) program to protect old growth forest, the Northern Spotted Owl, and other old growth associated species on areas of ecologically-significant old growth forest on State and Federal lands in Oregon, Washington, and Northern California selected for the Old Growth Forest Reserve to be established by the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior under this Act. Requires the Secretaries to: (1) submit the applicable land management plans for implementing such program for appropriate consultation required under the Endangered Species Act; and (2) review previously applied administrative constraints on resource uses on lands under their jurisdiction to minimize the impact on pre-existing land uses resulting from the establishment of the Reserve. Bars further acquisition of mineral and mining rights in the Reserve. Permits roads, structures, and motorized and nonmotorized recreation and access, and hunting and fishing in the Reserve where consistent with the requirements of this Act and other applicable law. Permits timber harvesting in certain limited circumstances and only if not proscribed for any Reserve area in the applicable land management plan. Title II: Ensuring the Effectiveness of Federal Land Planning - Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 and the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 to provide additional guidance on the implementation, amendment, and revision of plans for Federal lands necessary to ensure the effectiveness of Federal land planning and that the applicable land management plans under title I of this Act and the protections which they afford the Old Growth Forest Reserve and associated species are implemented effectively. Title III: Providing An Interim Program - Provides for an interim program until the Reserve is established and applicable land management plans are adopted under title I of this Act with the same purposes as the long-term program, and for the provision of an adequate supply of timber on FS and BLM lands. Directs the Secretaries to establish an Old Growth Research Program (OGRP) to better understand and manage old growth forest ecosystems. Restricts timber sales on road construction, and mineral leasing on certain FS and BLM lands, including those within a certain radius of a Northern Spotted Owl nest site. Requires environmental impact statements on, and appropriate consultation for, the timber harvested from FS and BLM lands to ensure compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act. Provides for judicial review of agency decisions or actions under this title. Directs the Secretaries to publish in the Federal Register timber harvesting guidelines for Reserve areas based on OGRP work. Title IV: Economic Adjustment - Establishes the Timber Economic Adjustment Commission to provide Federal economic adjustment grants and benefit payments to the communities economically dependent on the timber on FS and BLM lands and the dislocated workers adversely affected by enactment of this Act. Outlines specific eligibility criteria that such communities and workers must meet in order to receive such assistance. Requires the Secretaries to notify the Commission of any Federal action likely to have a substantial impact on employment. Requires a final Commission report to the Congress and applicable State Governors on economic conditions and employment in affected areas. Title V: Miscellaneous - Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
Tropical Forest Consumer Information and Protection Act of 1991 - Prohibits manufacturing or distributing any tropical wood or tropical wood product unless: (1) it bears a label or mark indicating the country in which the wood was grown and the name of the wood; or (2) that information is provided to the buyer at the point of sale. Requires sellers through a catalog or communications media to disclose the country of origin and the name of the wood. Mandates: (1) an annual report on tropical hardwood importation; (2) a program to assess the progress of tropical countries in managing and conserving their forests; and (3) an annual report on the status of forests in each tropical country. Declares that: (1) policies, incentives, and education encouraging the sustainable management of tropical forests and labeling of country of origin should be supported; and (2) it should be U.S. policy to pursue adoption of such measures pursuant to its activities within the International Tropical Timber Organization. Provides for civil monetary penalties for violation of the labeling requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
Designates October 6, 1991 and 1992, as German-American Day.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
Designates June 15, 1991, as Magna Carta Day.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1991
National Commemorative Events Advisory Act - Establishes the President's Advisory Commission on National Commemorative Events to: (1) establish criteria for recommending to the President that a proposed commemorative event be approved or disapproved; (2) review proposals for national commemorative events submitted in accordance with procedures published by the Commission; and (3) issue recommendations to the President concerning each proposal reviewed. Prohibits the Commission from issuing a recommendation to the President for approval of certain commemorative events. Provides that the specified period of time designated by the Commission for a commemorative event may not begin unless more than one year after such designation date. Prohibits the Commission from designating the same commemorative event within a single calendar year. Terminates the Commission five years after its first meeting.
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 · 15 May 1991
Designates October 16, 1991, and October 16, 1992, as World Food Day.