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Official portrait of Sen. Kassebaum, Nancy Landon [R-KS]

Sen. Kassebaum, Nancy Landon [R-KS]

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2,143 records where Sen. Kassebaum, Nancy Landon [R-KS] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years

Bill· SS. 2699 (102nd)referred

A bill to extend the period for which unemployment benefits are payable under title I of the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 1991, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1992

Title I: Extension of Unemployment Benefits - Amends the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 1991 (Public Law 102-164, as amended) to extend the emergency unemployment compensation (EUC) program. Changes the EUC program termination date (currently July 4, 1992) to March 6, 1993. Provides for phaseout reductions of such benefits for weeks beginning after June 12, 1992, and for weeks beginning after January 3, 1993. (Provides, therefore, up to: (1) 33 weeks of EUC benefits in certain high-unemployment States and 26 weeks in all other States, respectively, for claimants for weeks beginning prior to June 13, 1992; (2) 20 or 13 weeks, respectively, for new claimants for weeks beginning on or after such date; and (3) 10 or 7 weeks, respectively, for new claimants for weeks beginning on or after January 3, 1993, until March 6, 1993.) Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to authorize certain advances to the extended unemployment compensation account to pay for emergency unemployment compensation benefits. Amends SSA to require the first Advisory Council on Unemployment Compensation to study and report with recommendations (by February 1, 1993) on certain proposed permanent changes in the extended benefits program under the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970. Title II: Revenue Provisions - Subtitle A: General Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to apply mark-to-market accounting method rules for certain securities held by dealers in securities (with specified exceptions for certain types of securities such as those held for investment or as a hedge). Requires taking into account for tax deduction determinations: (1) certain Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation (FSLIC) assistance as compensation for loss; and (2) any FSLIC assistance for any debt for determining whether such debt is worthless and in determining the amount of any addition to a reserve for bad debts arising from such worthlessness or partial worthlessness. Revises the IRC for individual estimated tax payments. Changes (for taxable year years 1993 through 1996) from 100 to 115 percent of the preceding year's tax liability the amount of the timely estimated payaments which an individual must make to qualify for a "safe harbor" alternative in making such estimated payments. Repeals special rules which denied the use of such last year's liability safe harbor for certain individuals with significant increases in tax liability from one year to the next. Subtitle B: Alternative Taxable Years - Revises the IRC with respect to electing alternative taxable years. Allows a partnership, S corporation, or personal service corporation to elect a taxable year other than the required taxable year if the annual financial statements (if any) of the entity used for credit purposes or provided to the partners, shareholders, or other proprietors of the entity are based on a fiscal year ending in the same month as the taxable year elected. Increases the amount of the required payment that must be made by a partnership or S corporation that elects a taxable year other than the required taxable year. Requires an additional payment for any taxable year that a partnership or S corporation first makes or changes a taxable year election to increase the deferral period.

Bill· SS. 2667 (102nd)referred

A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to clarify the application of the Act with respect to alternate uses of new animal drugs and new drugs intended for human use.

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1992

Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to allow, on order of a veterinarian: (1) a new animal drug approved for one use to be used for a different purpose; and (2) a new drug approved for human use to be used in non-food producing animals.

Resolution· SCONRESS.Con.Res. 113 (102nd)open

A concurrent resolution concerning the 25th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem.

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1992

Congratulates the residents of Jerusalem and the people of Israel on the 25th anniversary of the reunification of that city. Urges that: (1) Jerusalem remain an undivided city in which the rights of every ethnic and religious group are protected; and (2) the President and Secretary of State issue an unequivocal statement in support of such principle.

Bill· SS. 2644 (102nd)open

Increased Railroad Locomotive Visibility Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1992

Increased Railroad Locomotive Visibility Act - Requires the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations requiring passenger, commuter, and other trains to have ditchlights (designed to illuminate the sides of a railroad locomotive as well as the railroad tracks and the contiguous areas) affixed to the front of their locomotives.

Bill· SS. 2624 (102nd)referred

A bill to authorize appropriations for the Interagency Council on the Homeless, the Federal Emergency Management Food and Shelter Program, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1992

Title I: Interagency Council on the Homeless - Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to extend the authorization of appropriations for the Interagency Council on the Homeless, and the Council's authority, through October 1, 1994. Title II: Federal Emergency Management Food and Shelter Program - Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to extend the authorization of appropriations for the Federal emergency management food and shelter program.

Bill· SS. 2560 (102nd)open

A bill to reclassify the cost of international peacekeeping activities from international affairs to national defense.

United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1992

Requires, beginning with FY 1993, the cost of the "Contributions to International Peacekeeping Activities" account of the Department of State to be treated as a national defense cost and expense of the Department of Defense. Prohibits the Director of the Office of Management and Budget for FY 1993 from adjusting the discretionary spending limits for the defense and international categories under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 in order to conform with such reclassification. Declares that nothing in this Act alters the role of the Department of State with respect to international peacekeeping activities.

Bill· SS. 2530 (102nd)referred

John Heinz Competitive Excellence Award Act of 1992

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1992

John Heinz Competitive Excellence Award Act of 1992 - Establishes the John Heinz Excellence Award, to be evidenced by a national medal coined and provided to the U.S. Senate by the U.S. Mint. Allows two such separate awards to be presented annually (one to a qualifying individual, including Federal, State, or local government employees, and one to a qualifying organization, institution, or business). Prohibits presentation of an award within a category in a given year if there is no qualified individual, organization, institution, or business recommended by the selection panel established by this Act. Sets forth qualification criteria for such awards. Requires the Senate majority and minority leaders to present such award to an individual and an organization, institution, or business that has demonstrated excellence in promoting U.S. industrial competitiveness in the international marketplace through technological innovation, productivity improvement, or improved competitive strategies. Directs the Office of Technology Assessment to: (1) ensure that all nominees receive a detailed summary of any evaluation conducted of such nominee; and (2) make available to the nominee and the public a summary of each award winner's competitiveness strategy (excluding proprietary information unless the award winner consents).

Bill· SS. 2518 (102nd)referred

Small Business Incentive Act of 1992

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1992

Small Business Incentive Act of 1992 - Title I: Amendment to the Securities Act of 1933 - Amends the Securities Act of 1933 to increase from $5 million to $10 million the size of small business offerings that are exempt from the registration requirements of the Act (thus removing some regulatory constraints in order to facilitate capital-raising by small businesses). Title II: Amendments to the Investment Company Act of 1940 - Amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the Act) to exclude from its definition of investment company any issuer all of whose securities are held by certain investors whom the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has determined by rule or regulation possess such financial sophistication, net worth, and other specified factors as not to need the protections of the Act (thus exempting such companies from some of the Act's regulatory constraints). Empowers the SEC to define, by rule, such "qualified purchasers." Sets forth conditions under which certain business and industrial development companies that are already subject to regulation by the State in which they are organized are exempt from the regulatory constraints of the Act. Increases from $100,000 to $10 million the maximum aggregate amount of proceeds that certain interstate closed-end investment companies may receive from the sale of their outstanding securities and still retain their exempt status under the Act. Expands the definition of eligible portfolio company to include any company which does not have total assets in excess of $4 million and capital and surpluses in excess of $2 million (thus increasing the flow of capital by permitting business development companies to invest in more small businesses). Declares that a business development company is not required to make available significant managerial assistance with respect to any eligible portfolio company (as defined by this Act), or any other company that meets certain SEC criteria (thus encouraging the flow of capital to very small businesses). Permits a business development company to include within its mandatory asset threshold the securities of any eligible portfolio company as defined by this Act (thus including securities of very small businesses). Permits a business development company to acquire the securities of an eligible portfolio company from persons other than such portfolio company itself. Permits a business development company to: (1) issue multiple classes of debt without restriction; and (2) issue warrants, options, or rights to subscribe or convert to voting securities either alone or accompanied by debt or equity securities.

Bill· SS. 2520 (102nd)referred

Democracy in Haiti Act of 1992

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1992

Democracy in Haiti Act of 1992 - Expresses support for the restoration of the democratically elected government in Haiti. Outlines specific actions in furtherance of such goal, including to: (1) call upon all governments to abide the Organization of American States (OAS)-supported embargo of Haiti; (2) support the Protocol between President Aristide and the Parliamentary Negotiating Committee to Find a Permanent Solution to the Haitian Crisis; (3) call upon the Haitian armed forces, parliament, and de facto government to restore individual rights; (4) call upon the armed forces to submit to civilian control and all parties to renounce violence as a means of achieving political goals; (5) support a civilian OAS-DEMOC mission (a mission to restore democracy and human rights); and (6) call upon the OAS to consider additional measures if progress toward restoration of the democratically elected government is not promptly achieved. Authorizes the Secretary of State to make contributions to the OAS-DEMOC mission in Haiti. Declares that the President should use a specified amount of economic support assistance for a contribution to the mission. Authorizes appropriations. Imposes the following sanctions against Haitian nationals who provided support for the coup d'etat overthrowing President Aristide or for terrorist acts against the Haitian people after the coup: (1) ineligibility to receive visas and exclusion from admission into the United States; and (2) blocking of assets. Continues such sanctions until the President certifies to the Congress that democratically elected government has been restored in Haiti consistent with the Haitian Constitution.

Bill· SS. 2505 (102nd)open

America the Beautiful Passport Act of 1992

United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1992

America the Beautiful Passport Act of 1992 - Title I: Recreation Admission Fees and Use Fees - Amends the Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 to repeal provisions mandating charges for entrance or admission fees only at designated units of the National Park System or National Recreation Areas administered by the Departments of the Interior or of Agriculture (Departments). Authorizes the Secretaries of the Departments (Secretaries) to charge admission fees at any land and water area which they administer and designate for such charges. Limits the Secretary of Agriculture's authority to charge admission fees to only National Recreation Areas, National Monuments, National Volcanic Monuments, National Scenic Areas, and developed recreation complexes within the National Forest System. Replaces an annual admission permit known as the Golden Eagle Passport with an America the Beautiful Passport for admission into any such designated area. Requires the Secretary of the Interior, with the advice and consent of the Secretary of Agriculture, to set a $30 fee for such permit in lieu of the maximum $25 fee. Authorizes them to change such fee upon the recommendation of the Federal Recreation Fee Advisory Commission. Releases the holder of a permit under this Act from additional fees charged for specified Federal recreation areas, except for overnight camping fees or the use of group facilities. (Currently, a permit holder is prohibited from using the permit for such fees.) Repeals provisions that authorize the Secretary of the Interior to make an annual admission permit available for a reasonable fee for admission into specific designated units of the National Park System. Authorizes the Secretaries to make a $15 12-month admission permit available as an America the Beautiful Passport to only designated units in a particular geographic area. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, with the advice and consent of the Secretary of Agriculture, to permit State or local government units, individuals, organizations, businesses, or nonprofit entities to sell and collect fees for the America the Beautiful Passport for a maximum 12-month period and to withhold reasonable amounts up to, but not exceeding, ten percent of the gross fees collected from such sales as reimbursement for necessary expenses. Requires the sellers to provide information to America the Beautiful Passport purchasers about recreation activities on Federal lands. Requires all net receipts from the sales of permits under this Act to be deposited into a special account in the Treasury to be available at the end of each fiscal year for appropriation to any agency collecting fees under this Act to fund the agency's share of challenge cost-share agreements negotiated and implemented pursuant to this Act. Establishes the Federal Recreation Fee Advisory Commission to prepare biannually an advisory report for the Secretaries regarding the admission fee system, including: (1) the fee charged for the America the Beautiful Passport; (2) the designation of sites where admission fees are collected; (3) the amount of fees at designated and proposed sites; (4) whether the Passport should waive existing recreation fees; and (5) recommendations on projects to fund under challenge cost-share agreements. Authorizes the Secretaries to provide essential support staff and services to the Commission, upon request. Terminates the Commission upon its fourth biannual report to the Secretaries. Defines "developed recreation complexes" as areas administered by the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary). Authorizes the Secretary, under certain conditions, to charge an admission fee at other developed recreation complexes within the National Forest System in addition to those listed in this Act after providing notice to specified congressional committees. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, with the advice and consent of the Secretary of Agriculture, to change such fees upon the recommendation of the Commission. Provides that no admission fee may be charged under this Act of any person less than 16 years of age. (Currently, such fee is prohibited at a unit of a National Park System for admission of any person 16 years of age or less.) Repeals limitations on admission fees for single visits at the following parks: (1) Yellowstone National Park; (2) Grand Teton National Park; and (3) Grand Canyon National Park. Requires America the Beautiful Passport receipts and recreation use fees collected by the Secretary: (1) to be collected at the place of use or other location convenient to the user and the collector; and (2) not to be subject to a requirement that ten percent be earmarked for road construction and maintenance in national forests. Title II: Challenge Cost-Share Agreements - Authorizes the Secretaries to negotiate and enter into challenge cost-share agreements with cooperators to share costs or services in carrying out functions of land management agencies administered by the Secretaries. Authorizes the Secretaries to provide the Federal funding share from any funds available to such land management agencies.

Bill· SS. 2509 (102nd)referred

National Children's Advocacy Program Act of 1992

United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1992

National Children's Advocacy Program Act of 1992 - Requires the Director of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, in coordination with the Director of the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, to establish a national children's advocacy program of centers to provide information, services, and assistance so that communities can establish multidisciplinary programs that respond to child abuse. Provides for solicitation of proposals from applicants to operate such centers, proposal criteria, management plans, selection of proposals, funding of the centers, and program coordination. Requires regular monitoring and evaluation of each center's activities, annual reports, discontinuation of funding in cases of failure to implement program activities, and solicitation of new proposals upon discontinuation of funding for any center. Requires the two Directors to: (1) establish a children's advocacy advisory board to develop identified goals and program objectives; and (2) review annually the solicitation and selection process and program activities of each center. Directs the Attorney General and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to send to the Congress an annual, detailed review of the progress of such program activities. Authorizes appropriations.

Bill· SS. 2511 (102nd)referred

A bill to exempt certain financial institutions from the examination requirements of the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977.

United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1992

Amends the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 to exempt from its examination requirements a regulated financial institution if: (1) its main office is located in an area of 15,000 or less population outside a metropolitan statistical area; (2) the institution and its parent bank holding company have maximum aggregate assets of $75,000,000; and (3) the aggregate outstanding balances of secured and unsecured loans made by the institution constitute at least 50 percent of its deposits.

Bill· SS. 2502 (102nd)referred

Attorney Accountability Act of 1992

United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1992

Attorney Accountability Act of 1992 - Amends the Federal judicial code to require the Federal courts to award reasonable attorney fees to a prevailing defendant after the entry of a final judgment in any civil action, except where to do so would be against equity and good conscience. Authorizes the court, in an action involving multiple parties, to apportion the payment of such fees. Makes the provisions of this Act inapplicable to class action suits. Provides that in any case in which such fees are awarded and: (1) the court finds that the attorney for a plaintiff has violated rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (signing of papers; sanctions), the court shall reimburse the plaintiff for the amount awarded; and (2) the attorney for the plaintiff has a contingency fee agreement with the plaintiff, the court shall order the attorney to pay a portion of the fees awarded to the defendant under this Act equal to the amount of the total fees awarded multiplied by the contingency fee percentage under such agreement. Specifies that such provisions shall preempt any other Federal law relating to attorney fees to the extent such law is inconsistent with this Act.

Bill· SS. 2484 (102nd)referred

National Triad Program Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1992

National Triad Program Act - Requires the Director of the National Institute of Justice to conduct a national assessment of: (1) the nature and extent of crimes against the elderly; (2) the needs of law enforcement, health, and social service organizations in working to prevent, identify, investigate, and provide assistance to victims of such crimes; and (3) promising strategies to respond effectively to those challenges. Specifies that such assessment shall address: (1) the analysis and synthesis of data from a range of sources; (2) the problems of elderly who are living alone or in high crime areas and who are abused and neglected, and the fear of victimization; (3) the identification of strategies and techniques that have been shown to be effective or which show promise; (4) the analysis of the factors that enhance or inhibit development of a coordinated response by law enforcement, health care, and social service providers; and (5) the research agenda needed to develop a comprehensive understanding of the problems of crimes against the elderly. Requires the Director to disseminate the results of such assessment. Authorizes the Director to make awards to coalitions of local law enforcement agencies, victim service providers, and organizations representing the elderly for pilot programs and field tests of promising strategies and models for forging partnerships for crime prevention and service provision. Specifies that pilot programs funded under this Act may include existing general service coalitions of law enforcement, victim service, and elder advocate organizations that wish to use additional funds to work at a particular problem in their community or to target a particular geographic area in need of intensive services. Authorizes the Director to make awards to: (1) coalitions of national law enforcement, victim service, and elder advocate organizations for training and technical assistance in implementing pilot programs; (2) research organizations to investigate the types of elder victimization shown by the assessment to present particularly critical problems or emerging crimes about which little is known, to evaluate the effectiveness of selected pilot programs, and to conduct research and development identified as being critical; and (3) public service advertising coalitions to increase public awareness of, and promote ideas or programs to prevent, crimes against the elderly. Authorizes appropriations.

Law· SS. 2481 (102nd)enacted

Indian Health Amendments of 1992

United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1992

Indian Health Care Amendments Act of 1992 - Amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to state that it is the intent of the Congress that the Nation meet specified health status objectives with respect to Indians and urban Indians by the year 2000. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) to report to the President, for transmission to the Congress, on the progress made in each area of the Indian Health Service (Service) toward meeting each stated objective. Title I: Indian Health Manpower - Directs the Secretary to make preparatory scholarship grants for: (1) up to two years on a full-time basis (or the part-time equivalent) to Indians who have demonstrated the capability to successfully complete courses of study in the health professions; and (2) up to four years (or the part-time equivalent) for pregraduate education of any grantee leading to a baccalaureate degree in an approved course of study preparatory to such health professions. Prohibits the Secretary from denying scholarship assistance to an eligible applicant solely by reason of such applicant's eligibility for assistance or benefits under any other Federal program. Authorizes the Secretary to grant health professions scholarships to Indians who are enrolled full or part-time in appropriately accredited schools and pursuing courses of study in the health professions, with an emphasis on certain ones. Makes an individual eligible for such scholarship in any year in which he or she is enrolled full or part-time in such course of study. Provides that the period for a part-time scholarship shall not exceed the part-time equivalent of four years. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Service, to establish a Placement Office to develop a national policy for the placement, to available vacancies within the Service, of health professionals required to meet the active duty obligation prescribed under the Public Health Service Act without regard to any competitive personnel system, agency personnel limitation, or Indian preference policy. Makes an individual liable to the United States for the amount paid to or on the individual's behalf under a written Indian health professions contract if it is breached in specified ways. Entitles the United States to recover an amount determined by a specified formula pursuant to the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, as amended, from any individual who breaches such contract by failing to begin or complete such service obligations. Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the Service, to provide: (1) continuing education allowances to nurses employed by the Service; and (2) grants to establish and develop clinics operated by nurses, nurse midwives, or nurse practitioners to provide primary health care services to Indians. Allocates funds for the training of nurse practitioners. Requires that at least 25 percent of retention bonuses awarded each year by the Secretary beginning in FY 1992 be awarded to nurses. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Service, to establish a program to enable licensed practical nurses, licensed vocational nurses, and registered nurses working in an Indian health program for at least one year to pursue advanced training in a residency program. Revises the Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program with respect to: (1) eligibility requirements; (2) priority vacancy positions; (3) an individual's becoming a participant in the program; (4) extension of obligated service; (5) undergraduate loans; (6) repayment of loans; (7) tax liability reimbursements; and (8) the Secretary's annual report to the Congress. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Service, to assign one individual in each area office to be responsible on a full-time basis for recruitment activities. Requires the Secretary to provide a grant to a college or university to establish and maintain a program parallel to the Indians into Medicine Program (INMED) for the nursing and mental health professions. Directs the Secretary to provide matching grants to Indian tribes and tribal organizations to assist in educating Indians to serve as health professionals in Indian communities by providing them with scholarships, under specified conditions. Prohibits any scholarship recipient from discriminating against an individual seeking health care on the basis of ability to pay or that payment for such care will be provided by Medicare or Medicaid Programs under the Social Security Act. Directs the Secretary, under authority of the Snyder Act, to: (1) maintain a Community Health Aide Program in Alaska; and (2) provide, in a specified manner, a high standard of training to community health aides to ensure that they provide quality health care, health promotion, and disease prevention services to the villages served by the Program. Requires the Secretary, by contract or otherwise, to provide training for individuals in the administration and planning of tribal health programs. Authorizes appropriations for such training and for the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship program. Directs the Secretary to consider an individual's ties to any Indian tribe when placing him or her in scholarship and loan repayment programs. Title II: Health Services - Authorizes the Secretary to expend appropriated funds under this Act to eliminate the deficiencies in health status and resources of all Indian tribes. Changes the threshold cost established by the Secretary: (1) for FY 1992 to a minimum of $20,000 (currently, a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $20,000) before a service unit can be eligible for reimbursement from the Catastrophic Health Emergency Fund for the cost of treatment of an individual; and (2) for each succeeding year to the cost of the previous year increased by the percentage increase in the medical care expenditure category of the consumer price index for all urban consumers. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Service, to provide health promotion and disease prevention services to Indians to achieve the health objectives set forth in this Act. Repeals the requirements that the Secretary establish from one to four demonstration projects to discover the most effective and cost-efficient means of providing health promotion and disease prevention services to Indians. Directs the Secretary to continue to maintain specified model diabetes projects in existence through FY 2000. Authorizes the Secretary to establish new model diabetes projects. Prohibits the establishment of a greater number of them in one service area than in another until there is an equal number established with respect to all service areas. Adds to the duties of the diabetes control officer employed in each area office of the Service the task of evaluating the effectiveness of services provided through model diabetes projects established under this Act. Requires the Service to report annually to the President for transmission to the Congress, on the mental health status of Indians. Requires any person employed as a psychologist or as a social worker to provide mental health care services to Indians in a clinical setting, under this Act or through a contract under the Indian Self-Determination Act, to be, within one year from the date of employment, licensed as such or working under the direct supervision of a licensed clinical psychologist or social worker. Directs the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on the: (1) feasibility and desirability of furnishing hospice care to terminally ill Indians; (2) the determination of the most efficient and effective means of furnishing such care; and (3) the feasibility of allowing an Indian tribe to purchase, directly or through the Service, managed care coverage under certain circumstances. Requires the Secretary to provide grants to eligible recipients to establish area epidemiology centers for specified activities. Directs the Secretary to provide at least one grant to an eligible recipient located in each Indian Health Service area. Requires such grant to be at least $250,000 a year for each area epidemiology center. Requires the Indian Health Service to assign one epidemiologist from each of its area offices to each area epidemiology center to provide technical assistance to it. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on the actions taken to carry out this Act and to report biannually thereafter, on the extent to which the area epidemiology centers have helped assess progress made towards meeting the health objectives under this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Health Facilities - Requires the Secretary, when evaluating for the Congress the likely impact of the closure of an Indian Health Service hospital or one of its outpatient health care facilities, to specify: (1) the level of use of such hospital or facility by all eligible Indians; and (2) the distance between such hospital or facility and the nearest operating Service hospital. Requires the Secretary, subject to the availability of appropriations, to enter into contracts or award grants for health care delivery demonstration projects taking into consideration applications received from all service areas. Prohibits the award of a greater number of such contracts or grants in one service area than in another until there is an equal number of them with respect to all service areas for which the Secretary receives applications under certain conditions. Requires the Secretary to submit to the President (currently, the Congress) for inclusion in the budget submittal for: (1) FY 1997, an interim report on such established demonstration projects; and (2) FY 1999, a final report. Authorizes the Secretary to accept any major renovation or modernization by any Indian tribe of any Service facility, or of any other Indian health facility operated pursuant to a contract entered into under the Indian Self-Determination Act under specified conditions. Entitles an Indian Tribe to recover an amount from the United States, based upon a specified formula, if any Service facility renovated or modernized by an Indian tribe ceases to be used as such during the 20-year period beginning on the completion date of such renovation or modernization. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Access to Health Services - Amends the Social Security Act to prohibit any payments received by any facility of the Service, whether operated by such Service or by an Indian tribe or tribal organization, for services provided to Indians eligible for Medicare benefits from being considered in determining appropriations for health care and services to Indians. Declares that the Secretary has no authority to provide services to an Indian beneficiary with coverage under Medicare in preference to an Indian beneficiary without such coverage. Makes a facility of the Indian Health Service or of an Indian tribe or tribal organization carrying out a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement under the Indian Self-Determination Act eligible for Medicare payments if it meets all of the conditions and requirements for such payments. Requires payments to any Service facility made under the Medicaid program to be placed in a special fund to be held by the Secretary and used, in a specified manner, exclusively for making any improvements in the facilities of such Service to achieve compliance with the applicable conditions and requirements of the Social Security Act. Terminates this requirement when the Secretary determines and certifies that substantially all Service health facilities are in compliance with such conditions and requirements. Prohibits payments received by such facility for services provided to Indians eligible for benefits under Medicaid from being considered in determining appropriations for the provision of health care and services to Indians. Requires the Secretary to submit to the President (currently, the Congress) for submission with the budget, an accounting of the amount and use of funds reimbursed through Medicare and Medicaid made available to Indian Health Services. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Health Services for Urban Indians - Authorizes appropriations to make health services more accessible to the urban Indian population. Title VI: Organizational Improvements - Requires the Secretary to carry out, through the Director of the Service, all scholarship and loan functions under this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Title VII: Substance Abuse Programs - Redesignates Title VII of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act as Title VIII. Expands the responsibilities of the Indian Health Service with respect to the Memorandum of Agreement entered into under the Indian Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of 1986. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Service, to provide a program of comprehensive alcohol and substance abuse prevention and treatment to members of Indian tribes. Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the Service, to enter into contracts with public or private providers of alcohol and substance abuse treatment services to assist the Service in carrying out such programs. Directs the Secretary to: (1) provide assistance to Indian tribes in developing criteria for the certification and accreditation of service facilities which meet certain minimum standards; (2) develop and implement a program for acute detoxification and treatment for Indian youth who are alcohol and substance abusers; and (3) construct or renovate, and appropriately staff and operate, a youth regional treatment center in each area under the jurisdiction of an area office. Considers the area offices of the Service in Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona, as one area office. Authorizes the Secretary to make funds available to the Tanana Chiefs Conference, Incorporated, to lease, construct, renovate, operate and maintain a residential youth treatment facility in Fairbanks, Alaska. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Service, to: (1) identify and use, where appropriate, federally-owned structures suitable as local residential or regional alcohol and substance abuse treatment centers for Indian youth; and (2) establish guidelines to determine their suitability for such purpose. Directs the Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of the Interior, to develop and implement, within each Health Service unit, community-based rehabilitation and follow-up services designed to integrate long-term treatment and to monitor and support Indian youth who are alcohol or substance abusers after their return home. Requires the Secretary to provide for the inclusion of family members of a youth in such treatment programs or other appropriate services. Earmarks at least ten percent of funds appropriated to carry out such programs to be used for outpatient care of adult family members related to the treatment of an Indian youth. Directs the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on: (1) the incidence and prevalence of the abuse of multiple forms of drugs, including alcohol, among Indian youth residing on Indian reservations and in urban areas; and (2) the interrelationship of such abuse with the incidence of mental illness among such youth. Requires the Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of the Interior, to develop and implement, within each service unit, a program to provide training and community education in the areas of alcohol and substance abuse. Directs the Secretary, with respect to such programs, to take into consideration and make available, the results of the demonstration project for children of alcoholics funded by the Office of Minority Health of the Department of Health and Human Services. Requires the Secretary to make grants to the Navajo Nation to provide residential treatment for alcohol and substance abuse for the Tribe's adult and adolescent members and neighboring tribes. Directs the Navajo Nation to enter into a contract with a Gallup, New Mexico, area institution accredited by the Joint Commission of the Accreditation of Health Care Organizations to provide such comprehensive alcohol and drug treatment. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to: (1) those urban Indian organizations with which the Secretary has entered into a contract under this Act for the provision of health-related services in prevention, treatment, or rehabilitation of, or school and community-based education in alcohol and substance abuse in urban centers; and (2) Indian tribes to establish fetal alcohol syndrome programs to meet the health status objective specified in this Act. Directs the Secretary to provide assistance to Indian tribes in the development, printing, and dissemination of education and prevention materials on fetal alcohol syndrome. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Service, to continue making grants through FY 1995 to the Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council, San Juan Pueblo, New Mexico, to provide substance abuse treatment services to Indians in need of them. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Service, to establish: (1) the Regional Youth Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Center in Sacaton, Arizona, on the Gila River Indian Reservation; and (2) a youth alcohol and substance abuse prevention and treatment facility in Schurz, Nevada, as a unit of such regional center. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Service, to make grants to the Alaska Native Health Board for a two-part community-based demonstration project to reduce drug and alcohol abuse in Alaska Native villages and to rehabilitate families afflicted by such abuse. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Service, to evaluate and report to appropriate committees of the Congress on the evaluation of such project by January 1, 1993. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Service, to make a grant to the Thunderchild Treatment Center at Sheridan, Wyoming, to match funds already received by it through private contributions for the completion of construction of a multiple approach substance abuse treatment center which specializes in the treatment of alcohol and drug abuse of American Indians. Authorizes appropriations for the Center. Prohibits the use of such funds for: (1) staffing or operation of this facility; or (2) administrative purposes. Authorizes appropriations. Title VIII: Miscellaneous - Directs the President to include with submission of the budget: (1) certain reports and statements on meeting the objectives of this Act; and (2) a report on whether, and to what extent, new health care programs, benefits, initiatives, or financing systems have had an impact on it, and any steps taken by the Secretary to consult with Indian tribes to address such impact. Extends to FY 2000 the time during which Arizona is designated as a contract health service delivery area. Continues through FY 1995 the demonstration programs involving treatment for child sexual abuse that were conducted in FY 1991 through the Hopi Tribe and the Asiniboine and Sioux Tribes of Fort Peck Reservation. Authorizes the Secretary and the Secretary of the Interior to establish such programs in any service area, except that the establishment of a greater number of them in one service area than in another is prohibited until there is an equal number established with respect to all service areas. Authorizes appropriations for Indian health care programs through FY 2000. Title IX: Technical Corrections - Makes technical corrections to the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.

Bill· SS. 2400 (102nd)referred

Medicare-Dependent Hospital Relief Act of 1992

United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1992

Medicare-Dependent Hospital Relief Act of 1992 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend through March 31, 1994 (currently, 1993) special payments under part A of Medicare for the operating costs of inpatient services of small, rural Medicare-dependent hospitals.

Bill· SS. 2384 (102nd)referred

A bill to amend the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require the owner or operator of a solid waste disposal facility to obtain authorization from the affected local government before accepting waste generated outside of the State, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1992

Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to make it unlawful for owners or operators of landfills, incinerators, or other waste disposal facilities in a State from receiving municipal solid waste generated outside the State unless they obtain authorization from the affected local government or meet other conditions under this Act. Requires local governments to notify the State Governor of such authorization. Permits a State Governor to disapprove an authorizations if the authorization will result in the disposal of municipal solid waste generated outside of the State in an amount exceeding 30 percent of the total volume of such waste disposed of in the State in the preceding year. Authorizes local governments, in issuing such authorizations, to impose fees and limitations on the amount of waste received for disposal. Terminates an authorization if a facility's operating permit is revoked or suspended or if a permit renewal application is denied. Exempts from this Act's prohibition owners or operators of landfills that: (1) meet certain State and Federal requirements concerning design standards, leachate collection, groundwater monitoring, and financial assurance for closure and corrective action; (2) received waste generated outside the State in a manner consistent with a written contract during February 1992; and (3) for each year between 1992 and 1996, did not receive municipal solid waste generated outside the State in an amount exceeding the total amount received in 1991. Exempts owners or operators of incinerators or other waste disposal facilities that meet the contract requirements and amount limitations applicable to landfills, as well as new source performance standards and other requirements of the Clean Air Act. Considers expansions of landfills, incinerators, or waste disposal facilities to be separate facilities requiring authorization. Exempts owners or operators of such facilities from the requirement to obtain additional authorizations if: (1) at the time they obtained authorization, they owned or possessed an option to purchase the land on which the expansion is proposed to occur; and (2) the area of expansion was indicated in documents filed with the affected local government before obtaining authorization. Directs State Governors to submit State municipal solid waste management plans to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Requires such plans to cover a period of at least ten years and to be reviewed by the Governor at least every five years. Makes it unlawful for owners or operators of landfills, incinerators, or other waste disposal facilities to receive municipal solid waste generated in another State if the exporting State does not have an approved plan. Permits such owners or operators located in a State without an approved plan to receive municipal solid waste generated outside the State if the exporting State has a plan in effect. Prescribes civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Authorizes States to impose fees for the disposal of solid waste generated outside the State if the fee does not exceed $10 per ton of waste disposal and the State uses such amounts to fund solid waste management activities.

Resolution· SRESS.Res. 275 (102nd)passed

A resolution commending President F. W. de Klerk, the South African Government, and the people of South Africa.

United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1992

Commends: (1) President F.W. de Klerk for his courage in calling a referendum and congratulates him on its successful outcome; (2) the President and the South African Government for their commitment to a fully representative and nonracial South Africa (expressing its support for future good faith efforts toward these ends); and (3) the people of South Africa for their efforts to create a new political system through peaceful constitutional transition.

Bill· SS. 2355 (102nd)referred

Savings Association Interstate Branching Act of 1992

United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1992

Savings Association Interstate Branching Act of 1992 - Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act to preclude a Federal savings association from establishing or operating a new branch outside its home State unless it has the written approval of the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision. Restricts the Director's authority to approve interstate branching by a Federal savings association to situations where: (1) the law of the host State allows interstate branching for its State-chartered thrifts; (2) the interstate branch is operated pursuant to the laws of the host State; and (3) the Federal savings association is adequately capitalized under Federal law.

Law· SJRESS.J.Res. 271 (102nd)enacted

A joint resolution expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the peace process in Liberia and authorizing reprogramming of existing foreign aid appropriations for limited assistance to support this process.

United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1992

Supports the peace process for Liberia initiated by the accord signed in Yamoussoukro, Cote d'Ivoire, on October 30, 1991. Urges all parties to abide by the terms of such accord. Commends and congratulates the government of the Economic Community of West African States for their leadership in seeking peace in Liberia. Praises the presidents of Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire, and Senegal for their efforts. Authorizes the President to provide assistance to support democratic institutions in Liberia, for the resettlement of refugees, for the demobilization and retraining of troops, and for the provision of other assistance to implement such accord, if the President certifies that Liberia has made significant progress toward democratization and that such assistance will aid that country in making further progress and is otherwise in the U.S. national interest. Requires a separate certification for each fiscal year.

Bill· SS. 2346 (102nd)referred

BasiCare Health Access and Cost Control Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1992

BasiCare Health Access and Cost Control Act - Title I: Immediate Reforms - Subtitle A: Small Employer Health Insurance Market Reform - Regulates accident and health insurance issued to small employers (defined as having fewer than 51 employees) regarding: (1) price; (2) sales practices; (3) guaranteed issue; (4) core benefits (requiring the same benefits as title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act); (5) deductibles, out-of-pocket expenses, and copayments; and (6) preventive benefits for children under 23. Preempts inconsistent State and local laws. Regulates: (1) guaranteed eligibility; (2) limited exclusion of preexisting conditions; (3) guaranteed renewability; (4) waiting periods; and (5) rating requirements. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to agree with a State to apply the standards set by that State's laws instead of these requirements, provided the core benefits and sales practices requirements are met. Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to prohibit tax deductions for the tax imposed by title II, subtitle E, of this Act on insurers offering plans that do not qualify as BasiCare plans. Subtitle B: Community Health Services Expansion - Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to establish a program of allotments to States for grants for community-based primary health services to low-income or medically underserved populations regarding infant mortality and referrals for the health management of infants and pregnant women. Links the amount of the allotment to population and need. Describes the services to be included. Earmarks for the allotments specified percentages of appropriations under certain provisions added by this Act. Mandates grants to federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and other entities for providing access to services, as described in specified provisions of title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act, for medically underserved populations or in high impact areas not currently being served by a FQHC. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Expansion of Tax Incentives for Self-Employed Individuals - Amends the IRC to increase to 100 percent (currently 25 percent) the portion of health insurance costs self-employed individuals may deduct. Removes provisions ending the deduction on a specified date. Subtitle D: Expanding the Supply of Health Professionals in Rural Areas - Amends the PHSA to authorize appropriations to carry out provisions relating to the National Health Service Corps scholarship and loan repayment program. Earmarks certain portions to carry out provisions of this Act relating to FQHCs. Amends the IRC to allow a tax credit for service by a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner who: (1) provides primary health services to individuals in a rural health professional shortage area; and (2) is not receiving a National Health Service Corps scholarship or loan repayment and is not fulfilling service obligations under such programs. Excludes National Health Service Corps loan repayments from gross income. Allows, with regard to elections to expense depreciable business assets, a higher aggregate cost to be taken into account for rural health care property in a rural health professional shortage area. Allows a deduction for a limited amount of the interest paid on medical education loans by an individual performing services under an agreement with an applicable rural community to perform professional services in the community. Authorizes use of the deduction in computing adjusted gross income. Subtitle E: Malpractice Reform - Part I: Definitions - Sets forth definitions for purposes of this subtitle. Part II: Tort Reform of Health Care Liability Actions - Declares that this part applies to any health care liability action brought in any Federal or State court. Limits the dollar amount of: (1) recovery by an individual and the individual's family members in a health care liability action, regardless of the number of providers or the number of actions; and (2) single payments which may be required. Requires offset for damages paid by a collateral source. Prohibits punitive damages from exceeding the sum of economic and non-economic damages. Regulates the award of attorney's fees and joint and several liability. Sets forth time limits on initiation of actions. Preempts State laws in certain circumstances. Part III: Alternative Dispute Resolution Systems - Mandates grants to States for the development and implementation of alternative dispute resolution systems (ADRSs). Provides for the possible establishment of an advisory panel to take specified actions, including assisting in the development of criteria for ADRSs, providing advice and assistance to States, and performing duties set forth under part IV of this subtitle. Authorizes appropriations for the grants. Part IV: Demonstration Projects for No-Fault Compensation Programs - Establishes a program of grants to private entities for the demonstration no-fault compensation programs (NCPs) in the private sector under which health care providers offer their patients a no-fault compensation scheme in exchange for a waiver of common law tort liability for all injuries. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle F: Joint Ventures - Amends provisions of the National Cooperative Research Act of 1984 allowing, notwithstanding antitrust laws, certain cooperative research agreements to add references to joint health care provider ventures, defined as a group of activities by two or more hospitals for the provision or delivery of health care services. Title II: Long-Term Reforms - Subtitle A: Establishment of Commission and Advisory Board - Establishes the Commission on National Health Care Access and Reform and the National Advisory Board. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Reform and Standardization of Private Insurance - Requires the Commission to submit to the Congress a legislative proposal with specified elements, including: (1) a uniform national health benefits package (BasiCare); (2) a national health care insurance reform plan applicable to all carriers of health insurance in the United States; (3) self-insured plan requirements; and (4) a program to assist low-income individuals in the transfer from coverage under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to BasiCare coverage and financial assistance in obtaining BasiCare coverage. Sets forth the continuing duties and responsibilities of the Commission, including: (1) submission of a new legislative proposal annually for the next two years if the Congress does not approve the Commission's recommendation; (2) annual review and revision, subject to congressional recision, of benefits and premiums; (3) oversight of provider participation and billing; (4) oversight of the supplemental health insurance market; and (5) submission to the Congress of plans for the long-term disposition of Medicaid benefits not covered or subsumed by BasiCare and assimilation of Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act), the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS), and the Federal employees' health benefits program into the BasiCare system. Includes in BasiCare coverage basic hospitalization, basic outpatient services protection against catastrophic out-of-pocket costs, coverage against extraordinary long-term care costs, and coverage for preventive care. Requires each carrier to offer BasiCare. Preempts inconsistent State and local laws. Prohibits duplication, in whole or part, of BasiCare benefits. Prohibits discrimination based on health status, including preexisting conditions. Requires guaranteed issue, a minimum plan period, guaranteed renewability, and community-wide ratings. Applies these standards to reinsurance policies. Regulates premiums. Prohibits employment-related BasiCare plans from imposing waiting periods. Requires: (1) such plans to apply equally to employees of all income levels; and (2) total contributions for an employer for low-income employees to equal or exceed the total for other employees. Regulates self-insured plans. Mandates development of recommended managed care plan standards regarding benefits, coverage, and delivery systems. Establishes the Managed Care Advisory Committee. Preempts certain State laws regarding managed care plans. Subtitle C: Low-Income Assistance - Requires the Commission to provide for the termination of Medicaid program coverage which duplicates BasiCare. Terminates, after five years, any remaining Medicaid benefits. Mandates financial assistance, through a voucher system, to low-income individuals for BasiCare premiums, deductibles, and other cost-sharing. Subtitle D: Congressional Consideration of Commission Recommendation - Declares that these provisions are enacted as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the House of Representatives and the Senate with recognition of the right of either House to change the rules as any other rule of that House. Provides for the introduction and consideration of a joint resolution approving of the Commission's legislative proposal under subtitle B of this title. Subtitle E: Enforcement Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to remove provisions relating to a tax on any employer or employee organization that contributes to a group health plan or large group health plan that does not comply with certain Medicare provisions. Imposes a tax on: (1) insurers offering plans that do not qualify as BasiCare plans; (2) the failure of any service provider under a BasiCare plan to comply with specified provisions of this Act; and (3) the failure of any person to comply with provisions of this Act relating to employer responsibilities and self-insured plan requirements under this Act. Disallows personal exemptions unless the individual's BasiCare policy number is included in the individual's tax return. Subtitle F: Financial Provisions - Creates the BasiCare Trust Fund and transfers to the Fund: (1) a specified percentage of wages and self-employment income; (2) all of the taxes imposed by this Act; (3) additional revenues received as the result of amendments made by this Act; (4) the State's Medicaid share; and (5) all unobligated amounts in the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund. Appropriates to the Fund: (1) the Federal Medicaid share; and (2) amounts equal to appropriations for CHAMPUS and the Federal employees' health benefits program. Authorizes appropriations for additional sums as required to make expenditures under specified provisions of this Act. Amends title II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to exclude amounts under certain provisions of this Act from appropriation to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) exclude from gross income employer-provided coverage under a BasiCare plan (currently, under an accident or health plan); (2) prohibit deductions for employer expenses for a group health plan unless the plan qualifies as a BasiCare plan; and (3) include amounts paid for a BasiCare plan (currently, for insurance) in the definition of "medical care" for provisions relating to medical and dental expenses. Subtitle G: Definitions - Sets forth definitions for various terms used in this Act.

Bill· SS. 2317 (102nd)referred

Budget Process Reform Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1992

Budget Process Reform Act - Title I: Statement of Congressional Purpose - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to facilitate rational, informed, and timely decisions by the Congress. Declares that the Federal budget process should focus the attention of policymakers and the public on the aggregate impact of Federal spending on the economy, and on the tradeoffs that must be made among priorities in order to control overall levels of spending. Declares that the budget process should contain safeguards against delay and inaction, so that temporary shut-downs of the Government may be avoided. Title II: Binding Budget Law - Requires the Congress to enact a binding budget law, in the form of a joint resolution, by April 15 of the calendar year before that in which the fiscal period commences. Requires the budget law to fit a single page, which sets forth specific budget ceilings in major functional categories. Makes it out of order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any spending bill affecting spending in a major functional category until a joint resolution on the budget is enacted. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to prohibit baseline budgeting. Makes the starting point for any deliberations on the budget in committee the estimated level of outlays for the current period in each function and subfunction. Requires the budget to include comparisons of current fiscal year and proposed subsequent fiscal year spending. Requires the President to submit to the Congress on or before the fifteenth day after a joint resolution on the budget is enacted a detailed budget for the fiscal period beginning on October 1 of the current calendar year. Title III: Enforcement Mechanics - Subtitle A: Supermajority Required to Break Budget Law - Requires a two-thirds majority vote in the House and the Senate to consider any spending bill prior to the enactment of the budget law. Requires the Congressional Budget Office to provide to the Congress an estimate of the costs in each major functional category of any spending bill as soon as practicable after its introduction. Limits such estimates to those bills likely to result in costs of more than $10,000,000. Requires a two-thirds affirmative vote in the House and the Senate to consider over-budget spending bills. Requires a two-thirds affirmative vote in the House and the Senate to waive any provision of this Act. Subtitle B: Limited Enhanced Rescission Authority - Amends the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to limit the President's rescission authority to spending that is above the limits of the budget law. Subtitle C: "Blank Check" Appropriations Prohibited - Declares the intent of the Congress to end open-ended, "blank check" appropriations which typically authorize spending "such sums as may be necessary." Requires fixed-dollar appropriations for every account except social security and interest on the debt. Prohibits open-ended appropriations. Requires Executive agencies to adjust benefit levels to ensure that appropriations for entitlement programs are not exceeded. Restricts budget authority and entitlement authority to one fiscal period. Subtitle D: "Pay As You Go" Requirement for New Spending - Prohibits the Congress from considering any legislation which authorizes, requires, or provides new direct spending or exceeds the budget ceiling unless it offsets such increased spending with an equal amount of reductions. Requires a two-thirds affirmative vote in the House and the Senate to waive such prohibition. Title IV: Sustaining Mechanism - Makes appropriations to provide for an automatic continuing resolution if for any account an appropriation for a fiscal period does not become law before the beginning of such period. Restricts legislation providing funding to the Committees on Appropriations. Title V: Protection of Social Security - Provides that no reduction in benefits under title II of the Social Security Act (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) shall be made as a consequence of this Act. Title VI: Timetable - Revises the timetable for the congressional budget process. Title VII: Conforming Amendments - Makes various technical and conforming amendments, including changing references to a concurrent resolution on the budget to references to a joint resolution on the budget. Title VIII: Definitions and Rules of Interpretation - Sets forth definitions for specified terms. Title IX: Effective Date - Declares the effective date of this Act to be January 1, 1993, applicable to fiscal years beginning after September 30, 1993. Applies to FY 1993 certain provisions of Federal law, including the Congressional Budget Impoundment Control Act of 1974 and the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act).

Bill· SS. 2284 (102nd)referred

Wholesale Bank Deposit Insurance Act of 1992

United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1992

Wholesale Bank Deposit Insurance Act of 1992 - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to authorize certain insured depository institutions to voluntarily terminate their insured status (become uninsured State member banks under the Federal Reserve Act). Precludes such institutions from accepting deposits other than as uninsured State member banks, and requires them to pay to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) an exit fee reflecting their pro rata share of the relevant deposit insurance fund's contingent liabilities. Provides for a transition period during which formerly insured deposits temporarily retain their insured status. Requires the depository institution to notify its depositors and the FDIC of its non-insured status. Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 to permit a bank holding company all of whose subsidiary depository institutions are uninsured State member banks to acquire interests in banking and securities firms. (Current law prohibits such affiliations between banking and securities institutions.) Imposes the same requirements upon the acquisition of such interests as would be applicable to a bank holding company that does not own uninsured State member banks. Restricts the affiliation of uninsured State member banks with other deposit-taking institutions, including proscriptions against affiliations with insured banks, savings associations, and any institution that accepts initial deposits of $100,000 or less (i.e., a retail depository institution). Amends the McFadden Act to exempt noninsured banks and their affiliates from the conditions placed upon branch banking by national banking associations. Amends the Banking Act of 1933 to permit securities industry personnel to simultaneously serve with an uninsured State member bank. Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 to exempt from its insurance requirements uninsured State member banks that are controlled by certain holding companies that control only uninsured State member banks. Amends the Federal Reserve Act to prescribe guidelines within which uninsured State banks may become members of the Federal Reserve System, subject to its regulatory oversight, including: (1) mandatory status as a wholesale bank (minimum initial deposits of $100,000); (2) special minimum capital requirements; (3) minimum leverage ratios; (4) special capital categories for prompt corrective action (including a critical capital level of at least 150 percent of the corresponding ratio for insured State member banks); and (5) a special discount rate above that applicable to insured depository institutions, and restricted access to discount window borrowing. Grants the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System conservatorship authority over such banks.

Bill· SJRESS.J.Res. 261 (102nd)referred

A joint resolution to designate April 9, 1992, as a "Day of Filipino World War II Veterans".

United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1992

Designates April 9, 1992 (the 50th anniversary of the fall of Bataan), as the Day of Recognition of Filipino War Veterans. Authorizes and urges the President to present a copy of this resolution to Filipino veterans and the Filipino people in Manila on April 9, 1992, during the observance of such anniversary, as an expression of good will and reaffirmation of the continuing regard of the United States and the American people for a lasting Filipino-American friendship.

Bill· SS. 2236 (102nd)open

Voting Rights Act Language Assistance Amendments of 1992

United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1992

Voting Rights Act Language Assistance Amendments of 1992 - Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to extend the termination date on the prohibition of covered States and political subdivisions providing voting materials only in English. Modifies criteria for determining whether a State or subdivision is covered.

Bill· SS. 2232 (102nd)open

American Automobile Labeling Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1992

American Automobile Labeling Act - Requires manufacturers of new automobiles to affix, in a prominent place, on each automobile manufactured after 1992, a label indicating: (1) the percentage (by value) of U.S. automobile equipment on it; (2) the percentage (by man-hour) of labor performed by U.S. workers in assembling it; and (3) the name of any country, other than the United States, where at least one-third of the automobile equipment (by value) in it originated. Sets forth civil penalties for violation of this Act.

Resolution· SRESS.Res. 258 (102nd)passed

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding needed action to address the continuing state of war and chaos and the emergency humanitarian situation in Somalia.

United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1992

Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should: (1) again urge all parties to the conflict in Somalia to declare an immediate ceasefire; (2) urge the United Nations to remain committed to the diplomatic and peacekeeping tasks in Somalia which fall under its mandate, to facilitate the distribution of emergency assistance to those areas of Somalia which are peaceful and to explore options for assisting people in nonsecure areas, and to appoint mediators to facilitate the achievement of the earliest possible ceasefire; and (3) encourage other neutral mediation efforts by nongovernmental and regional organizations.

Bill· SS. 2202 (102nd)open

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide that farm land adjoining a principal residence qualifies for the one-time exclusion of gain from sale of such residence.

United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1992

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that a principal residence includes adjoining farm land for purposes of the one-time exclusion of gain from the sale of a principal residence for individuals who have attained age 55, if such farm land is used by the taxpayer in the active conduct of the trade or business of farming.

Bill· SS. 2195 (102nd)referred

Economic Growth Acceleration Act of 1992

United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1992

Title I: Accelerated Growth - Economic Growth Acceleration Act of 1992 - Subtitle A: Provisions Relating to Capital Gains - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a capital gains deduction for noncorporate taxpayers for assets held from one to three years. Provides special rules for the gain or loss from the sale or exchange of collectibles and sales of interest in partnerships. Disallows such deduction in computing the alternative minimum tax. Revises the formula for determining gain from the dispositions of certain depreciable realty to take into account depreciation adjustments (adjustments allowed or allowable for exhaustion, wear and tear, obsolescence, or certain amortization). Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Passive Losses and Depreciation - Treats the real estate development activity of a taxpayer as a single trade or business activity that is not a rental activity. Allows an additional depreciation allowance for the purchase of new equipment as investment property on or after February 1, 1992, which is placed in service before July 1, 1993. Reduces the basis of adjustment of such property by the amount of the additional allowance. Requires application of such allowance in determining the alternative minimum tax. Restricts the determination of adjusted current earnings for purposes of computing alternative minimum taxable income to property placed in service after 1989 and before February 1, 1992. Subtitle C: Provisions Relating to Real Estate Investments by Pension Funds - Modifies exceptions to the exclusion of real property acquired by a qualified organization from the meaning of acquisition indebtedness. Makes certain exceptions inapplicable to sales out of foreclosure by a financial institution. Applies the meaning of acquisition indebtedness investments in certain large partnerships where the principal purpose of partnership allocations is not tax avoidance. Repeals the special rule for publicly traded partnerships with respect to the treatment of unrelated business taxable income. Subtitle D: Provisions Affecting Homebuyers - Allows a first-time homebuyer who purchases a principal residence a tax credit of ten percent of the purchase price, not to exceed $5,000. Limits such credit to one residence and requires acquisition between February 1, 1992, and January 1, 1993. Allows penalty-free withdrawals from individual retirement plans for a first-home purchase. Limits such distribution to $10,000, or other applicable amount if previous distributions have been made.

Bill· SS. 2180 (102nd)referred

Access to Justice Act of 1992

United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1992

Access to Justice Act of 1992 - Amends the Federal judicial code to provide that, in determining whether a matter in controversy exceeds the sum or value of $50,000 for purposes of Federal diversity of citizenship jurisdiction, the amount of damages for pain and suffering or mental anguish, punitive or exemplary damages, and attorney fees or costs shall not be included. Provides that on February 1 of each year the threshold amount for diversity jurisdiction (currently, $50,000) shall be adjusted to the nearest thousand dollars to reflect change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U). Entitles the prevailing party in a diversity action to attorney fees only to the extent that such party prevails on any position or claim advanced during the action. Specifies that such fees shall be paid by the nonprevailing party up to the amount of such fees of the nonprevailing party or, if the nonprevailing party receives services under a contingent fee agreement, the reasonable value of such services. Requires the counsel of record in any such action, in order to receive attorney fees, to maintain accurate, complete records of hours worked on the matter regardless of the fee arrangement. Authorizes the court to limit fees recovered to the extent that it finds special circumstances that make payment of such fees unjust. Makes provisions of this Act (with respect to attorney fees in diversity cases) inapplicable to actions removed from State court or in which the United States, any State, or any agency, officer, or employee thereof is a party. Amends the Equal Access to Justice Act to bar the award of attorney fees in excess of $75 per hour unless the court determines that an increase in the cost of living, as reflected by the change in the CPI-U (currently, unless the court determines that such an increase, or a special factor, such as the limited availability of qualified attorneys for the proceedings involved) justifies a higher fee. Sets forth provisions for the calculation of such cost of living adjustment. Amends the Federal judicial code to require a claimant or potential plaintiff or plaintiffs, at least 30 days before filing suit in a civil action brought in a U.S. district court, to transmit written notice to the intended defendant or defendants at an address reasonably calculated to provide actual notice of the specific claims involved, including the amount of actual damages and expenses. Directs such claimant, at the commencement of the action, to file in such court a certificate of service evidencing compliance with such provision. Provides for a 30-day extension of any applicable statute of limitations that would expire during the period of such notice. Makes the requirements of this provision inapplicable under specified circumstances, such as in bankruptcy proceedings and where a defendant or assets are subject to flight. Specifies that in the event that the district court finds that such notice requirements have not been met by the claimant, and such defect is asserted by the defendant within 60 days after service of the summons or complaint, the claim shall be dismissed without prejudice and the costs of such action, including attorney fees, shall be imposed upon the claimant. Permits the claimant, under such circumstances, to refile such claim within 60 days after dismissal regardless of any statutory limitations period if, during the 60 days after dismissal, notice is transmitted as provided by this Act and the original action was timely filed. Authorizes the United States, except as otherwise specifically provided by statute, to enter into an agreement which provides that attorney fees may be awarded against the United States or any other party to the action or proceeding: (1) in any civil action commenced by the United States; (2) in civil proceedings involving disputes pursuant to the Contract Disputes Act of 1978; or (3) in a case in which the United States and another party have agreed to use outcome-determinative mediation, subject to specified requirements. Sets forth further requirements with respect to the award of attorney fees, including the handling of such awards received by Federal agencies. Directs: (1) the chief judge of each judicial circuit (other than the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit) to designate one district court to be a pilot Multi-Door Courthouse (MDC); and (2) the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit to designate the U.S. Claims Court to be a pilot MDC. Terminates such designation and the program after three years. Requires every court which has been designated as an MDC, to establish an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) plan providing for: (1) procedures for limited discovery; (2) confidentiality of proceedings as to possible subsequent pretrial and trial actions; (3) the selection, use, and payment of nonjudicial personnel who may be selected to conduct ADR proceedings as neutrals, mediators, or arbitrators; and (4) standards for determining which cases are appropriate for ADR, considering such factors as whether factual issues predominate over legal issues and whether the case involves complex or novel legal issues requiring judicial action. Requires that each plan: (1) provide that each assigned judge or magistrate judge conduct a conference with counsel within 120 days after the complaint is filed to review nonbinding, voluntary ADR procedures that may be used in lieu of litigation to resolve the claims in controversy; and (2) authorize the parties, if they agree, to use nonbinding ADR procedures (such as early evaluation by a neutral party, (mediation, minitrials, summary jury trial, and arbitration) in lieu of litigation to resolve the claims in controversy. Authorizes the district courts to: (1) use the volunteer services of nonjudicial personnel to conduct ADR proceedings as neutrals, mediators, and arbitrators; and (2) establish their compensation, subject to limits established by the Judicial Conference of the United States. Authorizes the Chief Justice of the United States to designate and assign temporarily a district judge of one circuit for service in another circuit, either in a district court or court of appeals, whenever the business of that court so requires (under current law, upon presentation of a certificate of necessity by the chief judge or circuit justice of the circuit wherein the need arises). Makes it the duty of the Director of the Administrative Office of U.S. Courts to secure information and report annually to the Chief Justice, the chief judges of the circuits, the Congress, and the Attorney General on the courts' need for temporary judicial resources to ease overcrowded dockets (including information on delays being encountered in the maintenance of civil suits). Provides that: (1) a State judicial officer shall not be held liable for any costs, including attorney fees, in any proceeding in vindication of civil rights brought against such officer for an act or omission of such officer while acting in an official capacity (act); and (2) in any civil action for deprivation of rights brought against a judicial officer for such an act, injunctive relief shall not be granted unless a declaratory decree in the action was violated by such officer or declaratory relief was unavailable. Amends the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act to provide that, in actions brought by any adult convicted of a crime and confined in any jail, prison, or other correctional facility, the court shall continue such case for a period not to exceed 180 days in order to require exhaustion of remedies. (Current law calls for a 90-day extension if the court believes it would be approprate and in the interests of justice.) Requires the Attorney General, upon request of a State or local corrections agency, to provide such agency with technical advice and assistance in establishing plain, speedy, and effective administrative remedies for inmate grievances. Amends the Federal judicial code to authorize the court, with regard to proceedings in forma pauperis, to dismiss the case if satisfied that the action fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. Directs the Board of the Federal Judicial Center to study and include in the annual report of the activities of the Center determinations regarding ways in which case and docket management (including ADR) techniques may be applied to improve the cost-effectiveness of litigation and to eliminate unjustified expense and delay. Provides that a court in banc shall consist of all circuit judges in regular service, with exceptions. Repeals a provision authorizing any court of appeals having more than 15 active judges to perform its en banc function by such number of members of its en banc courts as may be prescribed by rule of the court of appeals.