United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1995
Superfund Recycling Equity Act of 1995 - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to absolve persons (other than owners or operators) who arranged for the recycling of recyclable material from liability for environmental response actions. Excludes from the definition of "recyclable material" any material that contains polychlorinated biphenyls in excess of 50 parts per million or any Federal standard promulgated after this Act's enactment. Considers transactions involving scrap paper, plastic, glass, textiles, rubber (other than whole tires), or metal or spent batteries to be arranging for recycling if the person arranging the transaction can demonstrate that: (1) the recyclable material met a commercial specification grade and a market existed for the material; (2) a substantial portion of the material was made available for use as a feedstock for the manufacture of a new saleable product; (3) the material (or product to be made from the material) could have been a replacement for a virgin raw material; (4) in the case of transactions occurring no later than 90 days after this Act's enactment, the person exercised reasonable care to determine that the consuming facility was in compliance with Federal, State, or local environmental laws or regulations; (5) in the case of transactions involving scrap metal that occurred after the effective date of a regulation or standard associated with scrap metal recycling promulgated under the Solid Waste Disposal Act, the person was in compliance with such regulation or standard and did not melt the metal prior to the transaction; and (6) in the case of transactions involving batteries, the person did not recover the valuable components of the battery and the person was in compliance with Federal environmental regulations or standards regarding battery recycling. Makes the exemptions from liability under this Act inapplicable if the person: (1) had an objectively reasonable basis to believe at the time of the recycling transaction that the recyclable material would not be recycled or would be burned as fuel or for energy recovery or incineration or that, in the case of transactions occurring no later than 90 days after this Act's enactment, the consuming facility was not in compliance with Federal, State, or local environmental laws or regulations; (2) added hazardous substances to the material for purposes other than processing for recycling; or (3) failed to exercise reasonable care with respect to the management of the material.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1995
Voluntary Alternative Dispute Resolution Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal judicial code to authorize each U.S. district court to: (1) encourage litigants in appropriate cases to use voluntary alternative dispute resolution (ADR) procedures, whether offered in the private sector or sponsored by the court; and (2) establish such voluntary ADR programs as the court determines appropriate. Provides that the ADR procedures may include mediation, early neutral evaluation, minitrials, summary jury or bench trials, and non-binding judicial arbitration. Authorizes a Federal court to establish appropriate voluntary ADR procedures and encourage voluntary use of ADR services offered in the private sector. Specifies that: (1) an ADR program under this Act shall not infringe on a litigant's right to trial de novo and shall impose no penalty on participating litigants; and (2) nothing in this Act is intended to interfere with any ADR program authorized under any other provision of law, including court annexed non-binding arbitration.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1995
National Aquaculture Research Center Act of 1995 - Amends Federal law to transfer the fish research and experimentation program from the Department of the Interior to the Department of Agriculture. Designates the Southeastern Fish Culture Laboratory in Marion, Alabama, as the "Claude Harris National Aquaculture Research Center."
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1995
Copyright Term Extension Act of 1995 - Amends Federal copyright provisions regarding preemption of laws concerning duration of copyrights. Prohibits the annulment or limitation of rights or remedies under State laws with respect to sound recordings fixed before February 15, 1972, until February 15, 2067 (currently, 2047). Extends the duration of copyright in a work created on or after January 1, 1978, to the life of the author and 70 (currently, 50) years after the author's death. Makes the same extension with regard to joint works created on or after such date. Extends the duration of copyright in anonymous or pseudonymous works or works made for hire on or after such date to 95 (currently, 75) years from the year of the first publication, or 120 (currently, 100) years from the year of creation, whichever expires first. Makes conforming extensions with respect to provisions regarding the presumption of an author's death. Extends the duration of copyright in works created before January 1, 1978 (but not published or copyrighted), to at least December 31, 2012 (currently, 2002). Extends from December 31, 2027, to December 31, 2047, the duration of copyright in works published on or before December 31, 2012. Extends the duration of certain subsisting copyright renewals by a period of 20 years.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1995
Reorganization of the Federal Administrative Judiciary Act - Amends Federal civil service law to reorganize all administrative law judges into an independent Administrative Law Judge Corps, headed by a chief administrative law judge appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, with each judge of the Corps assigned to a division depending upon the areas of specialization in which the judge has served. Provides for the payment of judges' salaries out of existing fees charged by agencies for such purpose. Requires the chief administrative law judge to conduct a study of the various types and levels of agency review to which decisions of administrative law judges are subject for a report to the President and the Congress. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1995
Amends the Civil Justice Reform Act of 1990 to extend for a period of one year: (1) certain demonstration programs regarding district court differentiated case management and methods for reducing cost and delay in civil litigation; and (2) reporting deadlines on the results of such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1995
1997 Franklin Delano Roosevelt Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue commemorative half-dollar silver coins whose obverse side shall bear a likeness of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and whose reverse side shall be emblematic of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, D.C. Mandates that the design for the coins shall be: (1) selected by the Secretary after consultation with the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts; and (2) reviewed by the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee. Declares that: (1) the coins shall be struck at the U.S. Bullion Depository at West Point; and (2) may be issued only from January 1, 1997, to December 31, 1997. Requires the Secretary to distribute proceeds from surcharges in equal allocations to: (1) the National Park Foundation Restricted Account for the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial; and (2) the National Park Service Restricted Construction Account for the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to restore the business meal expense deduction to 80 percent (currently 50 percent) for individuals subject to the hours of service limitations of the Department of Transportation.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1995
Flow Control Act of 1995 - Authorizes a State or qualified political subdivision to exercise flow control authority for municipal solid waste, incinerator ash, and construction or demolition debris generated within its boundaries if, before May 15, 1994, such entity: (1) adopted a law, regulation, or legally binding provision that contains such authority and directs the waste, ash, or debris to a waste management facility designated before such date or identifies the use of waste management methods; and (2) committed to the designation of a facility for such methods. Authorizes such an entity to exercise such authority for voluntarily relinquished recyclable materials generated within its boundaries. Establishes similar authority for States and subdivisions that meet such requirements after this Act's enactment. Provides that laws, regulations, or legally binding provisions that implement flow control authority shall be considered to be a reasonable regulation of commerce. Permits such authority with respect to recyclable materials only if: (1) the generator or owner of the materials voluntarily made the materials available to the State or subdivision and relinquished any rights to, or ownership of, such materials; and (2) the State or subdivision assumes such rights or ownership. Allows such authority with respect to solid waste or recyclable materials only if the State or subdivision establishes a program to separate or divert recyclable materials for purposes of recycling, reclamation, or reuse. Makes such condition inapplicable in certain cases. Establishes additional conditions on the exercise of flow control authority, including requirements that: (1) such authority is necessary to meet current or anticipated waste management needs; (2) revenues derived from the exercise of such authority are devoted primarily to solid waste management services; and (3) States and subdivisions implement a competitive designation process with respect to waste management facilities or facilities for recyclable materials. Retains the applicability of certain existing laws and contracts and considers such laws and contracts to be a reasonable regulation of commerce.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1995
Federal Lands Forest Health Protection and Restoration Act - Directs the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to: (1) review the forest health conditions on Federal lands under their respective jurisdictions at least annually; and (2) designate forest health emergency or high risk areas and select and authorize the forest health management activities to be undertaken. Designates conditions under which an area of Federal lands shall be designated as either a forest health emergency or high risk area. Requires the prioritization of such areas by the Secretary concerned. Requires the appropriate forest health management activities to be those which the Secretary concerned determines to most specifically address the specific site conditions of the area using the combination of management practices, treatment, and protection needed to arrest the decline in, and to restore, forest health to a condition capable of supporting and sustaining the uses within the historic range of the area. Requires a statement of necessity by the Secretary concerned whenever the harvest of live trees is expected to occur in a forest health management activity. Provides a petition process under which any interested person may petition either Secretary to designate a specific area of at least 100 acres as a forest health emergency or high risk area. (Sec. 4) Directs each Secretary to publish in the Federal Register notice of the prospective decision to designate a forest health emergency or high risk area and to select appropriate forest health management activities for such area. Requires compliance with certain Federal laws. Provides for public comment and administrative and judicial review of such decisions (prohibiting administrative review of the designation of a forest health emergency area). Excludes certain Federal lands from any designations or management activities under this Act. (Sec. 6) Directs the Secretaries to jointly prepare and submit to specified congressional leaders and committees an annual Forest Health Report to evaluate forest health on Federal lands. (Sec. 7) Requires summaries of forest health conditions, activities, and expenditures to be included in annual requests from the President to the Congress governing activities of the Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, or Forest Service. (Sec. 8) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1996 through 2006.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1995
Court of Federal Claims Administration Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal judicial code to allow a judge of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (Court) who is not reappointed to continue in office until a successor is appointed and takes office. (Sec. 3) Grants judges of the Court authority to conduct proceedings in the district courts of territories to the same extent as duly appointed judges of those courts upon request by or on behalf of a territorial court and with the concurrence of the chief judge of the Court and the chief judge of the judicial circuit involved based upon a finding of need. (Sec. 4) Exempts retired judges of the Court from residence restrictions. Provides that the place where a retired judge maintains the actual abode in which such judge customarily lives shall be the judge's official duty station. (Sec. 5) Provides for Court membership on the Judicial Conference of the United States. (Sec. 6) Authorizes the chief judge of the Court to summon the Court judges to a judicial conference annually to consider the business of, and improvements in the administration of justice in, the Court. Directs the Court to provide by its rules or by general order for representation and active participation at such conference by members of the bar. (Sec. 7) Authorizes the chief judge of the Court to recall a formerly disabled judge who retires under the disability provisions of the Court's retirement system if, in the chief judge's view, such judge has recovered sufficiently to render judicial service. (Sec. 8) Grants the Court: (1) the power to grant injunctive and declaratory relief; (2) jurisdiction to render judgment upon any claim by or against, or dispute with, a contractor arising under specified provisions of the Contract Disputes Act of 1978; and (3) ancillary jurisdiction under the Federal Tort Claims Act when a claim is directly related to one otherwise within the Court's jurisdiction. Repeals a provision denying the Court jurisdiction over certain claims against the United States that a plaintiff has pending in another court. (Sec. 9) Provides that Court judges over age 65 who are on senior status will receive the same treatment as other Federal trial judges on senior status insofar as Social Security taxes and annuity payments are concerned. (Sec. 10) Deems a Court judge to be a judicial officer eligible for coverage under annuity, insurance, and other programs available to other Federal trial judges, including the program for continued Federal life insurance coverage after retirement.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1995
Makes the existing district judgeship for the northern district of Alabama (authorized under the Federal Judgeship Act of 1990) permanent. Directs the President to appoint an additional district judge for the middle district of Alabama.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1995
Revises provisions under the Federal judicial code with respect to the composition of committees appointed by the Judicial Conference to assist it in making recommendations on rules of procedure to require that each such committee have a majority of members of the practicing bar and have members of the bench (including trial and appellate judges) and academics.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide an exemption from the excise tax for transportation by an aircraft for an emergency medical condition or for an appropriate transfer to a medical facility. (Current tax law refers to air transportation by helicopter.)
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1995
Coastal Barrier Technical Corrections Act of 1995 - Amends the Coastal Barrier Resources Act to declare that areas depicted in maps dealt with by this Act are part of the Coastal Barrier Resources System. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to make corrections to specified maps of the System as necessary to ensure that: (1) those maps are consistent with other maps on file with the Secretary; and (2) the System does not include any area that, before enactment of this Act, was part of unit Q01 of the System.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1995
Missing Service Personnel Act of 1995 - Requires the military commander of the unit, facility, or area to which the following persons are assigned to conduct an investigation as to their whereabouts after receiving factual information that their status is uncertain: (1) military personnel who disappear during a period of war, national emergency, or hostilities; and (2) any civilian Federal employee (including an employee of a Federal contractor) who serves with or accompanies an armed force in the field during such a period. Requires such persons to be placed in a missing status and requires notification of such status to either the officer having general court-martial authority over the person (for military personnel) or the Secretary of the military department employing such person (for civilian and contractor employees). Requires such officials to be kept informed (specifies deadlines) as to all information and inquiries concerning efforts to locate such missing personnel. Requires such officials to appoint a board to conduct an inquiry into the whereabouts and status of such persons. Provides for: (1) board composition, activities, and access to information; (2) inquiry proceedings (requiring the appointment of counsel, with specified duties, to represent the missing person); (3) a board recommendation as to the official status of a person following such an inquiry; (4) board reports to the officials involved as to board conclusions (prohibiting public availability of such reports for a one-year period); (5) report review by the official; (6) a report from such official to interested persons; and (7) an additional investigation and inquiry by an additional board upon receipt of new information within one year after the date of the first official notice of a person's disappearance. Allows interested persons (family members, dependents, next of kin) to participate at the proceedings of the board during such additional inquiry. Provides for the availability of appropriate information to board personnel conducting investigations and inquiries. Provides similar procedures for the second board with respect to meetings (open to the public, with exceptions), recommendations, reports, review by the Secretary of the military department concerned, and reports to interested persons. Requires a board to be reconvened when information becomes available that would directly lead to a determination of a person's status. Requires the Secretary concerned to appoint a board to conduct an inquiry as to the status of a missing person: (1) on or about three years after the first official notice of the disappearance of such person; and (2) not later than every three years thereafter until a total of 12 years after the first official notice. Provides for: (1) the release to a board by the Secretary concerned of all personnel file information concerning missing persons; (2) the treatment of classified information; (3) penalties for the wrongful withholding of information; (4) limited circumstances under which a board may recommend that a missing person be declared officially dead; (5) the submission by the board of appropriate information if such recommendation occurs; and (6) judicial review for interested persons of a board decision to declare a person officially dead. Provides for the appointment of a board to review the status of a person previously declared dead, with board procedures similar to those described above. Requires a person previously declared dead or in a missing status who is subsequently found alive to be paid for the full time of their absence. Directs the Secretary concerned, upon the enlistment or commission of a person in an armed force, to require such person to specify in writing his or her dependents, immediate family, primary next of kin, and any other individual that the person shall designate for purposes of this Act. Allows for revision of such designation at any time.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1995
Extends veterans benefits to an individual who served as a member of the U.S. merchant marine between August 16, 1945, and December 31, 1946, who, during that period, was licensed or otherwise documented by an officer or employee of the United States authorized to license or document such an individual as a crewmember of a vessel that at the time of service was: (1) operated by the War Shipping Administration or the Office of Defense Transportation, or an agent thereof; (2) operated in waters other than inland waters, the Great Lakes, other lakes, bays, and harbors of the United States; (3) under contract, charter to, or property of, the U.S. Government; and (4) serving the armed forces. Establishes application procedures. Requires the issuance of a certificate of honorable discharge, subject to the same standards relating to the nature and duration of service that apply to the honorable discharges issued under the GI Bill Improvement Act of 1977, to an individual who performed qualified service. Deems qualified service of an individual who receives an honorable discharge under this Act and who is not eligible under any other provision of law for benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to be active duty in the armed forces during a period of war for purposes of eligibility for benefits. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) reimbursement of the Secretary for the value of benefits that the Department of Veterans Affairs provides to an individual by reason of eligibility under this Act; and (2) an application processing fee.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1995
Immigration Moratorium Act of 1994 - Imposes a five-year immigration moratorium, with exceptions for refugees, certain priority and skilled workers, and immediate relatives of U.S. citizens and permanent resident aliens.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1995
Constitutional Amendment - Requires a balanced Federal budget, unless a three-fifths roll call vote of both Houses of Congress provides for a specific excess of outlays over receipts. Prohibits an increase in the public debt limit except by a three-fifths roll call vote by both Houses of Congress. Requires the President to submit a balanced budget to the Congress. Prohibits any bill increasing revenue from becoming law unless approved by a majority roll call vote of both Houses.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Legislative Accountability and Reform Title II: Regulatory Accountability and Reform Title III: Review of Unfunded Federal Mandates Title IV: Judicial Review Unfunded Mandate Reform Act of 1995 - Prohibits the application of this Act to any proposed Federal legislation or proposed or final Federal regulation that: (1) enforces the constitutional rights of individuals; (2) establishes or enforces any statutory rights that prohibit various specified types of discrimination; (3) requires compliance with accounting and auditing procedures with respect to grants or other money or property provided by the Federal Government; (4) provides for emergency assistance or relief at the request of any State, local, or tribal government (small government); or (5) is designed as emergency legislation or is necessary for national security or international treaty purposes. Requires each Federal agency to provide to the Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) such information and assistance as the Director may reasonably request to assist him or her in carrying out this Act. Title I: Legislative Accountability and Reform - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 and the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 with respect to unfunded Federal mandates. (Sec. 101) Includes tribal governments and the private sector within the purview of mandate analysis by CBO and congressional committees. Requires authorization committees to identify to CBO any Federal mandates in legislation ordered to be reported. Requires the report accompanying any reported legislation with a Federal mandate to contain statements on whether the legislation is intended to preempt any State, local, or tribal law (and the reasons for such intention), as well as individual mandate descriptions, cost-benefit analyses, and statements regarding Federal financial assistance to State, local, and tribal governments for meeting mandate costs. Requires the CBO Director, for each piece of legislation, to prepare and submit the authorizing committee certain statements estimating the direct costs of mandate compliance and the amount of new or increased Federal financial assistance needed to meet such costs, if the estimates indicate at least a $50 million per fiscal year direct cost of all intergovernmental mandates in the legislation, or a $200 million per fiscal year direct cost of private sector mandates. Makes it out of order for the Senate to consider: (1) any reported nonappropriations legislation unless it has a CBO Director report; or (2) any reported nonappropriations legislation containing a Federal intergovernmental mandate with direct costs exceeding the thresholds specified by this Act, unless it provides for new or increased budget, entitlement, or direct spending authority or makes other specified arrangements for each fiscal year to ensure that Federal funds equal or exceed the estimated direct costs of the mandate, or that State, local, and tribal programmatic and financial responsibilities are reduced so they do not exceed the amount of Federal funding. Gives the House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight and the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs final authority to determine questions on the applicability of this Act to pending bills, joint resolutions, amendments, motions, or conference reports. Requires the direct costs of a Federal mandate for a fiscal year to be determined based on estimates by congressional budget committees. Provides that it shall not be in order in the House of Representatives to consider a rule or order waiving application of these provisions to a bill or joint resolution reported by an authorization committee. (Sec. 102) Amends House rules with regard to the Committee of the Whole and Committee on Rules: (1) to make it always in order in the former to strike from the portion of any bill open to amendment any Federal mandate whose direct costs exceed the prescribed threshold; and (2) to require the latter to include in its reports on waived points of order a separate item identifying all waivers of points of order relating to Federal mandates. (Sec. 103) Provides that, at the request of any congressional committee, the CBO Director shall: (1) consult with and assist it in analyzing the budgetary or financial impact of any proposed legislation that may have a significant impact on the State, local, or tribal government involved or on the private sector; and (2) study any legislative proposal containing a Federal mandate. Requires the CBO Director to conduct continuing studies to enhance comparisons of budget outlays, credit authority, and tax expenditures. Requires any congressional committee that anticipates considering any legislative proposal establishing, amending, or reauthorizing any Federal program likely to have a significant impact on any State, local, or tribal government or on the private sector to include its views and estimates on that proposal to the applicable budget committee. (Sec. 104) Authorizes appropriations to CBO to carry out this Act. (Sec. 106) Repeals the State and Local Government Cost Estimate Act of 1981. Title II: Regulatory Accountability and Reform - Requires each Federal agency to: (1) assess the effects of Federal regulations on State, local, and tribal governments (other than to the extent that such regulations incorporate requirements specifically set forth in legislation) and the private sector, including specifically the availability of resources to carry out any Federal mandates in those regulations; and (2) seek to minimize those burdens that uniquely or significantly affect such governmental entities, consistent with achieving statutory and regulatory objectives. (Sec. 201) Directs each agency to permit elected officials and other representatives of State, local, and tribal governments to provide meaningful and timely input in the development of regulatory proposals containing significant Federal mandates. Requires each agency: (1) before establishing regulatory requirements, to develop plans for notifying small governments of such requirements; and (2) before promulgating any final rule that includes any Federal intergovernmental mandate that may result in State, local, or tribal government and private sector expenditures, in the aggregate, of $100 million or more in any one year, to prepare a written statement of specified estimates and analyses for forwarding to the CBO Director. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 204) Directs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to establish pilot programs in at least two agencies to test innovative approaches to reducing reporting and compliance burdens on small governments. Title III: Review of Unfunded Federal Mandates - Establishes the Commission on Unfunded Federal Mandates to investigate and review the role of unfunded Federal mandates in intergovernmental relations and their impact on local, State, and Federal government objectives and responsibilities. Requires the Commission to make recommendations to the President and the Congress with regard to: (1) consolidating or simplifying unfunded Federal mandates in order to facilitate compliance by State, local, and tribal governments, especially with respect to specific mandates for which the terms of compliance are unnecessarily rigid or complex; (2) terminating unfunded mandates which are duplicative, obsolete, or lacking in practical utility; and (3) temporarily suspending those unfunded mandates which are not vital to public health and safety and which compound the fiscal difficulties of State, local, and tribal governments. (Sec. 307) Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Judicial Review - Disallows judicial review under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to permit the export of Alaskan North Slope oil. Mandates that, except in certain cases, such oil be transported by American merchant marine vessels. Retains the President's authority to prohibit exportation of the oil. Repeals certain statutory limitations placed upon crude oil exports.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Older Americans' Freedom to Work Act of 1993 (sic)- Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to remove the limitation on the amount of outside income (earnings test) which beneficiaries who have attained retirement age may earn without incurring a reduction in benefits. Continues application of such earnings test to blind beneficiaries.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Private Property Rights Act of 1995 - States that the Congress declares that the Federal Government should protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public and, in doing so, to the extent practicable, avoid takings of private property. Directs Federal agencies to complete a private property taking impact analysis before issuing or promulgating any policy, regulation, proposed legislation, or related agency action which is likely to result in a taking of private property. Exempts from such requirement certain: (1) actions in which the power of eminent domain is formally exercised; (2) any action taken with respect to property held in trust by the United States or in connection with treaty negotiations; (3) law enforcement actions; (4) communications between a Federal agency and a State or local land-use planning agency about a proposed State or local activity regulating private property; (5) military activities or military or foreign affairs functions; and (6) emergencies involving immediate threats to health or safety. Requires that the policies, regulations, and public laws of the United States be interpreted and administered in accordance with the policies under this Act. Specifies the content of such an analysis and requires a copy to be transmitted to the owner of the affected property, as well as made available to the public. Requires each agency to provide the analysis required by this Act as part of any submission otherwise required to be made to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in conjunction with the proposed regulation. Directs the Attorney General to provide legal guidance in a timely manner, in response to a request by an agency, to assist it in complying with this Act. Requires annual reports by each agency to the OMB Director and Attorney General identifying each agency action that has resulted in the preparation of a taking impact analysis, the filing of a taking claim, or an award of compensation pursuant to the Just Compensation Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution. Creates a rebuttable presumption that unmodified analyses five years or older are outdated for purposes of any agency action or administrative or judicial proceeding.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Retirement Savings Incentives Subtitle A: Restoration of IRA Deduction Subtitle B: Nondeductible Tax-Free IRAs Title II: Penalty-Free Distributions Title III: Aid to Families with Dependent Children Savings and Investment Incentive Act of 1995 - Title I: Retirement Savings Incentives - Subtitle A: Restoration of IRA Deduction - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to restore the deduction for individual retirement plans (IRAs). Provides a phase-up of income limits (from 1995 through 1998) with respect to the limitation on the deductibility of contributions to IRAs by active participants in employer-maintained plans. Removes the spousal rule from such limitation. Terminates income limits after December 31, 1998. Provides an inflation adjustment for deductible amounts after 1995. Allows certain spouses a full deduction for contributions to an IRA. Makes certain coins and bullion ineligible as collectible investments for purposes of distributions from an IRA. Coordinates the limit on such deduction with the elective deferral limit under other pension provisions. Subtitle B: Nondeductible Tax-Free IRAs - Allows individuals to establish individual retirement plus (IRA plus) accounts with tax treatment similar to that for individual retirement plans. Makes contributions to such accounts nondeductible. Excludes distributions from such accounts from the gross income of the distributee, if the assets remain in such accounts for at least five years. Allows qualified transfers to be made to such accounts. Establishes penalties for early withdrawals and excess contributions. Title II: Penalty-Free Distributions - Allows distributions from certain retirement plans without penalty to purchase first homes, pay higher education expenses and financially devastating medical expenses, and assist certain unemployed individuals. Title III: Aid to Families with Dependent Children - Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) of title IV of the Social Security Act to exclude from AFDC eligibility determinations certain income and resources that are to be used for education, training, and employability purposes. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report to specified congressional committees on the use of qualified asset accounts. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on a revision of the AFDC limit on automobiles in order to increase the employability of AFDC recipients.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Constitutional Amendment - Requires a balanced Federal budget, unless a three-fifths roll call vote of both Houses of Congress provides for a specific excess of outlays over receipts. Prohibits an increase in the public debt limit except by a three-fifths roll call vote by both Houses of Congress. Requires the President to submit a balanced budget to the Congress. Prohibits any bill increasing revenue from becoming law unless approved by a majority roll call vote of both Houses.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that: (1) the Constitution shall not be construed to prohibit individual or group prayer in public schools or other public institutions; (2) no person shall be required by the United States or by any State to participate in prayer; and (3) neither the United States nor any State shall compose the words of any prayer to be said in public schools.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1994
Expresses the sense of the Senate with respect to forest management plan implementation, including that the Secretary of Agriculture recognize the multiple uses of national forests.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1994
Amends the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Act, 1995 to limit certain disaster payments available to peanut producers.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1994
Voluntary Alternative Dispute Resolution Act of 1994 - Amends the Federal judicial code to authorize each U.S. district court to: (1) encourage litigants in appropriate cases to use voluntary alternative dispute resolution (ADR) procedures, whether offered in the private sector or sponsored by the court; and (2) establish such voluntary ADR programs as the court determines appropriate. Provides that the ADR procedures may include mediation, early neutral evaluation, minitrials, summary jury or bench trials, and non-binding judicial arbitration. Authorizes a Federal court to establish appropriate voluntary ADR procedures and encourage voluntary use of ADR services offered in the private sector. Specifies that: (1) an ADR program under this Act shall not infringe on a litigant's right to trial de novo and shall impose no penalty on participating litigants; and (2) nothing in this Act is intended to interfere with any ADR program authorized under any other provision of law, including court annexed non-binding arbitration.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1994
Minority Small Business Preservation Act of 1994 - Amends the Small Business Act to suspend the termination of participation by certain small and minority businesses in the small business and capital ownership development program until the later of: (1) the current date of termination (nine years after commencement of participation); or (2) one year after the date on which final regulations are issued establishing appropriate terms for participation in the program by industry sector.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1994
Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 to extend from three years to five years the period during which Medicare select policies may be issued.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1994
Immigration Moratorium Act of 1994 - Imposes a five-year immigration moratorium, with exceptions for refugees, certain priority and skilled workers, and immediate family members.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1994
Weather Service Modernization Review Act of 1994 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) ensure that the implementation of the National Implementation Plan (Plan) for modernization of the National Weather Service does not result in service degradation in any specific geographic area; and (2) provide for an independent review of the Plan by the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1994
Refers S. 974, a bill for the relief of a named individual, to the chief judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims, as a supplement to S. Res. 108, for a report thereon.
United States · United States Congress · 25 August 1994
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into appropriate arrangements with the National Academy of Sciences to coordinate the development of an improved meat and poultry inspection program. Obligates funding for such purpose.
United States · United States Congress · 24 August 1994
Commends the U.S. rice industry for its decision to establish an industry organization. Recognizes the success such decision will have in promoting the interests of the rice industry and the rice-consuming public.
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 1994
Judicial Amendments Act of 1994 - Amends the Federal judicial code to make moneys in the Judiciary Automation Fund available to the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts for: (1) the procurement of automatic data processing equipment (equipment) for program activities included in the courts of appeals, district courts, and other judicial services account of the judicial branch; and (2) support personnel in the courts and in the Administrative Office. Authorizes all agencies of the judiciary to make deposits into the Fund. Requires the Director to develop and annually revise a long range plan for meeting the equipment needs of the activities funded, including an annual estimate of certain fees that may be collected under the Judiciary Appropriations Act, 1991. Provides for the deposit into the Fund of such fees. Requires the Director's annual report to the Congress on the operation of the Fund to include: (1) the specific actions taken and progress made to improve the plan developed, the long range automation plan, and the strategic business plan; and (2) a comparison of planned and actual Fund expenditures and accomplishments and reasons for any delays in scheduled systems development or budget overruns. Authorizes the Director to transfer amounts up to $1 million from the Fund into the account to which the Funds were originally appropriated, with amounts in excess of that sum in any fiscal year permitted to be transferred only by following specified reprogramming procedures. Requires the Director to: (1) develop an overall strategic business plan which would identify the judiciary's missions, goals, and objectives, and a long range automation plan based on the strategic business plan and user needs assessments; (2) establish effective Administrative Office oversight of court automation efforts; (3) expedited efforts to complete the development and implementation of life cycle management standards; (4) utilize the standards in developing the next generation of case management and financial systems; and (5) assess the current utilization and future user requirements of the data communications network. Amends: (1) the Judicial Improvements and Access to Justice Act to authorize appropriations for court arbitration; and (2) the Civil Justice Reform Act of 1990 to extend civil justice expense and delay reduction pilot programs.
![Official portrait of Sen. Heflin, Howell [D-AL]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/h000445_200.jpg)