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United States · Official source
2,173 records where Sen. Kasten, Robert W., Jr. [R-WI] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1992
Designates October 24, 1992, through November 1, 1992, as National Red Ribbon Week for a Drug Free America.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1992
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to enter into cooperative agreements with the owner or operator of the Taliesin (home of Frank Lloyd Wright from 1911 to 1959) site in Wisconsin to provide technical and financial assistance for the protection, restoration, and interpretation of the site. Requires such agreements to: (1) provide for public access to the site through conducted tours; and (2) prohibit an alteration of the site that is not consistent with the preservation and public use plan required to be prepared by the owner or operator as a condition of entering into the agreement. Subjects the plan to the Secretary's approval. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1992
Designates May 2 through 8, 1993, as National Walking Week.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1992
Designates the week of February 14 through 20, 1993, as National Visiting Nurse Associations Week.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1992
Designates the week beginning October 24, 1992, as World Population Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1992
Designates the U.S. courthouse to be constructed in Fargo, North Dakota, as the Quentin N. Burdick United States Courthouse.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1992
Designates the week beginning November 8, 1992, as Hire a Veteran Week.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1992
Expresses the profound sorrow of the Senate on the death of the Honorable Quentin N. Burdick of North Dakota.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1992
Requires the Secretary of Commerce to notify specified congressional committees of changes in the methodology used to develop any numbers used in a formula for distributing funds to States or political subdivisions if that change causes an increase or decrease of $5 million in the funds allocated to any State. Prohibits a number affected by such change from being published or designated as an official number or being used by any Federal agency to distribute funds until 60 days after such notification.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1992
Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 to postpone the deadline by which the appropriate Federal banking agency must prescribe final regulations requiring insured depository institutions to submit information annually on small businesses and small farm lending. Requires the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council to report to the Congress on the regulatory costs incurred by federally insured depository institutions in complying with the Act. Sets forth report contents. Modifies the guidelines for information collected by the Federal Reserve Board regarding credit availability for small businesses. Directs the Board, in publishing such information, to consider the report of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council and to adjust its reporting requirements in a manner consistent with the findings in that report. Directs the Board to minimize the cost to insured depository institutions in providing such information.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1992
Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to prohibit the President from designating as an article eligible for duty-free treatment under the Generalized System of Preferences any import-sensitive agricultural article which will render ineffective, or materially interfere with, a loan or purchase program, or other industry-wide operation, of the Department of Agriculture. Requires the President to prescribe procedures under which articles may be granted eligible article status, including procedures under which interested persons may petition that articles be granted such status.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1992
Prohibits the Department of Commerce or the Census Bureau from using appropriated funds to adjust any current data on population development to reflect estimates of persons deemed to be undercounted or overcounted in the decennial census.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1992
Minority Enterprise Development Act of 1992 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction for investment in qualified minority fund interests. Limits such deduction to $300,000 ($150,000 in the case of a married individual filing separately). Allows a deduction for investment in the stock of small minority business corporations, up to certain limits. Allows a taxpayer to elect, in lieu of such deduction, to take a credit of: (1) 15 percent of the aggregate bases of qualified minority fund interests; or (2) ten percent of the aggregate bases of small minority business stock. Limits the amount of such credit. Provides carryover provisions for the deduction and the credit. Provides for recapture of such deductions in computing bases for capital gains purposes. Requires an interest charge on the disposition within three years of any property whose bases have been reduced by such a deduction. Excludes from gross income 50 percent of any gain on the sale or exchange of any property by a qualified minority fund if such property was held for at least three years. Defers qualified reinvested capital gain, in the case of an individual, for up to the ninth year after the sale or exchange. Places a dollar limitation on such amount. Makes ineligible for such deferral married individuals who do not file joint returns and estates or trusts. Terminates such deferral if qualified property is disposed of before five years after its purchase.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1992
Financial Assistance for Compliance Act - Provides that a public entity as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 shall be excused from compliance with a requirement of Federal law in a fiscal year for which the entity: (1) fails to receive Federal financial assistance to carry out such requirement; or (2) if it receives such assistance, to the extent the assistance is insufficient to permit the entity to comply with the requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1992
Designates September 1992 as Childhood Cancer Month.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1992
Designates March 1993 as Irish-American Heritage Month.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1992
Designates February 4, 1993, and February 3, 1994, as National Women and Girls in Sports Day.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1992
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise payment provisions with respect to Medicare-dependent, small rural hospitals.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1992
Enterprise Zone Jobs-Creation Act of 1991 - Part I: Overview - Declares the purpose of this Act to provide for the designation of economically distressed urban and rural areas as enterprise zones in order to stimulate the creation of new jobs in the zones, particularly for disadvantaged workers and long-term unemployed individuals, to enhance the availability and delivery of local goods and services to residents and businesses in the enterprise zones through meaningful entrepreneurial activity. Part II: Designation of Enterprise Zones - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to designate urban enterprise zones and the Secretary of Agriculture to designate rural enterprise zones for purposes of providing tax and regulatory relief and improving local services. Limits choices to areas nominated by States and local governments. Limits the total number of areas that may be designated, and the time period of the designation. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury, prior to the designation, to estimate the impact of the designation on Federal revenues during FY 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997. Prohibits the designation of an area as an enterprise zone if the estimated sum is greater than $2,500,000,000. Authorizes the designation of a zone only if the area meets certain locational, demographic, unemployment, and poverty criteria. Requires nominating local governments, as a condition of the Secretary's designation, to agree in writing to follow a course of action that may include reducing tax rates, improving local services, simplifying or streamlining regulation of business, and providing job training to area residents. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress every two years on the effects of such enterprise zones' designation in accomplishing the purposes of this Act. Part III: Federal Income Tax Incentives - Requires taxpayers claiming benefits under this part to make appropriate disclosure to the Internal Revenue Service. Establishes the regulatory authority of the Secretary of the Treasury in carrying out the purposes of this Act. Allows a deduction for the aggregate amount paid by an individual for the purchase of enterprise zone stock on the original issue of such stock by a qualified issuer. Limits the maximum amount allowed as a deduction for any taxable year to $20,000 and $100,000 for the taxpayer's lifetime. Provides that in the disposition of such stock the gain shall be treated as ordinary income. Provides for the charging of interest to a taxpayer who disposes of such stock within five years of its purchase. Excludes from gross income any amount of gain constituting enterprise zone investor gain. Requires enterprise zone investor loss to be treated as ordinary loss. Excludes from gross income any amount of gain constituting enterprise zone business gain. Requires enterprise zone business loss to be treated as ordinary loss. Allows the issuance of tax-exempt bonds to finance qualified enterprise zone facilities. Relieves such bonds from certain limitations on the acquisition of land or existing property. Allows an issuer to elect not to treat such bonds as private activity bonds. Allows an income tax credit to enterprise zone employees who are not eligible for the earned income tax credit of five percent of any wages earned as do not exceed the employee's qualified wages. Allows small businesses in enterprise zones to expense depreciable business assets up to $50,000 per year. (Current expensing is limited to $10,000 per year). Establishes an alternative neutral cost recovery system for enterprise zone business property. Excludes enterprise zone investor gain and business gain from income for purposes of computing alternative minimum tax. Part IV: Regulatory Flexibility - Amends Federal law to revise the definition of "small entity" for purposes of the analysis of regulatory functions to include qualified business, government, and nonprofit enterprises operating within enterprise zones. Authorizes Federal agencies, upon request by a designating government, to waive or modify rules and regulations pertaining to the implementation of projects or activities within an enterprise zone. Requires agencies to approve the request if the resulting benefits of job creation, community development, or economic revitalization outweigh the public interest in retaining the rule unchanged. Disallows waiver or modification of a rule that would directly violate a statutory requirement or present a danger to the public health and safety. Part V: Establishment of Foreign-Trade Zones in Enterprise Zones - Requires the Foreign-Trade Zone Board to consider on a priority basis and to expedite the processing of applications for the establishment of foreign-trade zones within enterprise zones. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to give priority to, and expedite applications for, the establishment of ports of entry necessary to establish such zones. Part VI: Repeal of Title VII of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987 - Repeals title VII (enterprise zone development) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1992
Declares that the Congress acknowledges and appreciates the commitment, devotion, and sacrifices of present and former military families. Designates November 23, 1992, as National Military Families Recognition Day.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1992
Midwest Dairy Equity Act - Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act, reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, to establish: (1) a uniform class I milk price adjustment of $1.80 per hundredweight for all marketing areas; and (2) the minimum fluid beverage milk price at $13.20 per hundredweight. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) study and report to the appropriate congressional committees on the desirability and effects of fortifying beverage milk with nonfat solids; and (2) establish manufacturing allowances of $1.37 per hundredweight of milk for butter and nonfat dry milk, and $1.52 per hundredweight for cheese.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1992
Designates October 8, 1992, as National Firefighters Day.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1992
Abused Military Dependents Protection Act of 1992 - Directs the Secretary of a military department, upon application, to pay an annuity to an eligible spouse or former spouse of a member of the armed forces under the jurisdiction of that Secretary (spouse). Provides that a spouse is eligible to receive an annuity if: (1) after the member becomes eligible to be retired on the basis of years of service, the member's eligibility to receive retired or retainer pay is terminated as a result of misconduct of the member or former member involving abuse of a dependent; and (2) the spouse was the victim of the abuse and was married to the member at the time of that abuse or is a natural or adopted parent of a dependent child of the member who was the victim of the abuse. Makes such provisions applicable with respect to terminations of eligibility to receive retired or retainer pay as a result of a conviction by a court-martial or an administrative separation from the armed forces. Sets forth: (1) a formula for determining the amount of the annuity payable to such spouse, based on the number of years of marriage to such member; and (2) provisions with respect to termination of entitlement to such annuity. Directs the Secretary of a military department concerned to pay indemnity compensation to an eligible dependent of a member of the armed forces under the jurisdiction of that Secretary who, before becoming eligible to be retired from the armed forces on the basis of years of service, is: (1) convicted by a court-martial for an offense involving abuse of a dependent if the court-martial convening authority or a higher competent authority approves a dishonorable discharge, bad-conduct discharge, or dismissal of the member as a result of that conviction; or (2) separated from the armed forces under adverse conditions, as a result of misconduct involving abuse of a dependent. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) eligibility determinations; (2) amount of compensation; (3) period of payment; (4) commencement of payment; (5) termination of payment; and (6) offset of payments. Entitles spouses, while receiving an annuity or indemnity compensation pursuant to this Act, to: (1) receive medical and dental care to the same extent as a dependent of a retired member of the armed forces; (2) use the commissary and exchange stores on the same basis as a dependent of a retired member of the armed forces; and (3) receive any other benefits that a dependent of a retired member is entitled to receive. Sets forth further limitations with respect to such annuities and indemnity compensation. Directs the Secretary of Defense to conduct a study to: (1) determine the number of persons who became eligible to receive an annuity pursuant to this Act as of each of FY 1980 through 1992; (2) estimate the number of persons who will become eligible to receive an annuity during each of FY 1993 through 2000; (3) determine, for each of FY 1980 through 1992, the number of members of the armed forces who, after having completed between one and 20 years of service, were approved in that fiscal year for discharge or dismissal from the armed forces as a result of abuse of a spouse or dependent child; and (4) estimate, for each of FY 1993 through 2000, the number of members of the armed forces who, after having completed between one and 20 years of service in that fiscal year, will be approved in such fiscal year for discharge or dismissal from the armed forces as a result of abuse of a spouse or dependent child.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1992
Federal Grants for State and Local "G.I. Bills" for Children - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to use specified funds to make competitive grants to States and localities for educational choice programs. Authorizes reservation of a specified portion of such funds for national evaluation of such programs. Authorizes appropriations. Makes a State or locality eligible for such a grant if it: (1) has taken significant steps to provide a choice of schools to families with school children in the program area, including those not eligible for scholarships under this Act; (2) will, if awarded a grant, provide scholarships to parents of eligible children that may be redeemed for elementary or secondary education at a broad variety of public and private (including religious) schools serving that area; and (3) permits all such lawfully operating schools serving the area to participate in its program under this Act if they so choose. Requires grantees to provide scholarships to parents of eligible children, with a value of $1,000 from Federal funds under this Act and an additional amount, if any, of State, local, and nongovernmental funds. Excludes such scholarships from consideration as income for Federal income tax or Federal program eligibility purposes. Requires such scholarships to be provided to parents of children who reside in the program area, will attend a participating public or private school, and are from a middle- or low-income family (as determined by the grantees, in accordance with the Secretary's regulations). Limits the maximum family income for eligibility to not more than the higher of the State or national median family income. Provides for continuation of such scholarship aid to a child in each program year, unless the child no longer resides in the program area or no longer attends school, or the child's family income exceeds by 20 percent or more than the maximum income of families who received scholarships in the preceding year. Requires the grantee to provide scholarships to the lowest income families if the grant amount is insufficient to provided such aid to each child up to the income level for which the grantee applied. Sets forth application requirements, including descriptions of program areas and economic profiles of children residing there. Requires that programs be selected to receive such grants on the basis of: (1) number and variety of educational choices they make available to families of eligible children; (2) extent to which choices among public, private, and religious schools are available to all families in the area, including those not eligible for scholarships; (3) proportion of children from low-income families among participants; and (4) applicant's financial support of the program, including, State, local, and nongovernmental supplementary funds, not only for scholarships but also for other economic incentives such as tax relief (taking local conditions into account). Requires awards to programs in urban and rural areas and in different areas of the Nation. Requires award of annual grants, taking account of availability of appropriations, number and quality of applications, and other appropriate factors. Allows each grant to be for up to four years and to be renewed for an additional four-year period. Requires the following sequence for use of the Federal portion of such a scholarship: (1) for tuition and fees at the school selected by the parents, and for reasonable transportation costs (at the parent's option); (2) if the parent's so choose, for supplementary academic services for the child (up to $500 in cost) from any provider chosen by the parents that the grantee determines is capable to do so and has an appropriate refund policy; and (3) any remaining funds to be used either by the public school the child attends for student academic achievement programs, or, if the child attends private school, by the grantee for additional scholarships. Sets forth the effect of this Act on other programs. Requires a local educational agency to provide to any child in an educational choice program the same services that it would otherwise provide to that child under chapter 1 title I Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 provisions for educationally disadvantaged children. Declares that this Act does not affect specified requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Provides that such scholarships are aid to families, not institutions, so that their expenditure shall not be construed as Federal financial aid or assistance to a school or provider of supplementary academic services. Requires schools or providers of academic services, in order to receive scholarship funds under this Act, to comply with antidiscrimination requirements under specified Federal laws. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations to implement this requirement, taking into account the purposes of this Act and the nature, variety, and missions of schools and providers that may participate. Prohibits consideration of Federal funds provided under this Act in Federal, State, or local agency determination of other assistance to such grantees or schools attended. Provides that no State constitution or law shall be construed or applied to prohibit any grantee from: (1) paying administrative costs of a program under this Act; or (2) providing any Federal funds received under this Act to parents for use at a religious or other private institution. Declares that nothing in this Act authorizes the Secretary to exercises direction, supervision, or control over any participating school or educational institution as to curriculum, instructional program, administration or personnel. Directs the Secretary to conduct, with specified reserved funds, a national evaluation of the activities assisted under this Act. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations to enforce this Act. Prohibits such enforcement through a private cause of action.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1992
Small Business Innovation Development Amendment Act of 1992 - Amends the Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982 to extend the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program from October 1, 1993, to October 1, 2000. Amends the Small Business Act regarding small business eligibility for Federal agency research and development awards to include in the three-phase evaluation process determining the technological feasibility of ideas those ideas which appear to have commercial potential. Prescribes minimum SBIR expenditure amounts for FY 1992 through 1997 and after. Requires each Federal agency that is required to establish an SBIR program to: (1) determine unilaterally research topics within its SBIR solicitations, giving special consideration to topics which permit substantial applicant participation in research project formulation; and (2) make payments in full to SBIR funding agreement recipients, subject to specified audit deadlines. Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (the Administrator) to modify directives for the conduct of general SBIR policy to provide for: (1) rights to data; (2) continued use of agency property; (3) follow-on contracts; and (4) increased amounts of Phase 1 awards. Repeals the requirement for an annual report by the Office of Science and Technology Policy. Provides that if a Federal agency required to establish an SBIR program makes an SBIR solicitation award for which it shall provide written justification of such award in its next annual report. Requires the Comptroller General to report to the Congress on specified aspects of SBIR program implementation. Includes Department of Defense (DOD) activities in the extension of programs under this Act and requires the evaluation process for research and development awards to consider the commercial potential of ideas. Revises the definition of "extramural budget" to remove an exclusion that provides that such definition shall not include amounts of DOD obligated solely for operational systems development. Increases the amount required to be expended by DOD for SBIR. Establishes a maximum amount for SBIR contracts awarded by DOD in the first phase.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1992
Cash Management Improvement Act Amendments of 1992 - Amends the Cash Management Improvement Act of 1990 (the Act) to require the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations for the timely disbursement of Federal funds with respect to each State by July 1, 1993. Extends the deadline for the Secretary to enter into agreements with States for intergovernmental financing and to prescribe regulations for such financing from October 24, 1992, until July 1, 1993, or by the first day of a fiscal year of the State which begins in 1993, whichever is later. Makes the Act effective on such date. Extends for one year the report to the Congress by the Comptroller General on the implementation of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1992
Agricultural Credit Improvement Act of 1992 - Title I: Amendments to the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program of assistance (ten-year maximum) for beginning farmers (including aquaculture) and ranchers. Requires an applicant to submit a farm operations plan (plan) to the appropriate county committee, which must be approved by the committee and then by the Secretary of Agriculture. Provides assistance in the form of operating and equipment loans or guarantees. Gives applicants priority for equipment purchases in the Farmers Home Administration inventory. Terminates assistance for avoidable failure to achieve plan goals. Directs the Secretary to establish within the farm ownership loan program a ten-year down payment loan program for beginning farmers and ranchers. Sets forth loan terms. Limits the availability of certain other agricultural loans and guarantees to beginning farmers and ranchers during specified applicable periods. Sets forth debt service margin requirements. Provides for: (1) Federal-State beginning farmer assistance coordination; and (2) the establishment of an Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers. Directs the Secretary to establish a plan to encourage the graduation of assisted borrowers to private commercial credit. Limits operating loan assistance to ten years and loan guarantee assistance to 15 years. Authorizes hardship waivers. Title II: Amendments to the Farm Credit Act of 1971 - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to repeal the authority of the Farm Credit System (FCS) Insurance Corporation to designate one of its directors as a nonvoting representative to the board of directors of the Federal Farm Credit Banks Funding Corporation. Expands water and sewer lending authority of banks for cooperatives. Repeals the limitation on FCS bank director compensation. Includes director compensation in the scope of FCS institution examinations. Requires all FCS institutions to be examined at least once every three years. Repeals the prohibition on tax-exempt guarantees. Title III: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective dates of amendments made by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1992
Regulatory Accountability Act of 1992 - Sets forth specific requirements Federal agencies must adhere to in taking any regulatory action. Provides an exemption from certain requirements for regulatory actions for which the President publishes in the Federal Register a statement of waiver that: (1) outlines the reasons for waiving such requirements because of emergency need for such specific regulatory action; and (2) includes a timetable for satisfying remaining requirements as early as possible. Requires the President to provide for independent evaluation of the regulatory process and the effect of regulations on different areas of the economy. Provides funding for such evaluation.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1992
Charitable Contribution Tax Act of 1992 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the tax preference for the appreciated property charitable deduction. Requires a charitable contribution allowable as a deduction in computing taxable income to be allocated and apportioned solely to gross income from sources within the United States. Disallows a deduction for contributions of $100 or more unless the taxpayer substantiates the contribution by a contemporaneous written acknowledgement of the contribution by the donee organization. Specifies the contents of such acknowledgment. Sets forth disclosure requirements for an organization that receives a quid pro quo contribution (payment made partly as a contribution and partly in consideration for goods or services provided to the payor by the donee organization). Imposes a penalty for failure to make such disclosure. Provides for the tax treatment of bonds of certain nonprofit tax-exempt organizations in a manner similar to governmental bonds.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1992
Credit Availability and Regulatory Relief Act of 1992 - Title I: Supervisory Reforms - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to authorize the appropriate Federal banking agency to exempt any insured depository institution owned or controlled by a depository institution holding company from statutory examination requirements if: (1) the agency is satisfied that adequate internal controls and examination procedures exist within the holding company structure; and (2) the institutions owned or controlled by the holding company having at least 80 percent of all insured depository institutions owned or controlled by such holding company have been subjected to onsite examinations. Modifies statutory auditing and reporting requirements in order to reduce the regulatory costs incurred by insured depository institutions. Requires the Small Business Administration, together with specified financial institution regulatory agencies, to conduct a joint study and report to the Congress on the appropriate methods to obtain the information needed to assess the availability of credit to small businesses, including minority-owned small businesses and small farms. Repeals the existing mandate for certain regulatory standards for safety and soundness. Requires the appropriate Federal banking agencies to review their regulations and adopt uniform regulations. Excludes from bank closure requirements specified branches and automated teller machines. Amends the Federal Reserve Act to modify the aggregate statutory limits on insider lending. Repeals the current statutory mandate with respect to the regulation of interbank risks. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to change the assessment base calculation for deposit insurance premiums from the two most recent quarterly call reports of the institution to the next-to-last call report and the one immediately before it. Amends the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 to: (1) establish a threshold level of $100,000 or less below which State-certified or State-licensed appraisers are not required for certain Federal real estate-related transactions; and (2) prohibit the States from requiring State-certified or State-licensed appraisers for such transactions. Amends the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 to set forth guidelines for self-certification of small rural regulated financial institutions that have complied with such Act. Requires the appropriate Federal financial supervisory agency to investigate any allegation filed against a regulated financial institution regarding whether it is helping to meet the credit needs of its community, consistent with safe and sound operation of the institution. Modifies the regulatory the guidelines for such institutions. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to require: (1) the appropriate Federal banking agencies to jointly establish application requirements to reduce duplicative filings by depository institutions; and (2) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to minimize the regulatory burden imposed upon insured depository institutions. Removes certain interest rate restrictions placed upon depository institutions that are adequately capitalized. Repeals provisions relating to private deposit insurers and deposit institutions lacking Federal deposit insurance. Prohibits the Federal Trade Commission from bringing an action or proceeding against a private deposit insurer for non-compliance with the requirement to complete a certain annual audit within a specified time period. Requires the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on: (1) those measures necessary to ensure adequate public disclosure of depository institutions that lack Federal deposit insurance; and (2) the appropriateness of imposing audit requirements on private deposit insurers. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 to delay the effective dates for specified new requirements for insured financial institutions. Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act to accelerate the effective date by which savings associations may engage in certain affiliate transactions permitted for banks. Title II: Non-Supervisory Reforms - Subtitle A: Expedited Funds Availability and Electronic Transfers - Amends the Expedited Funds Availability Act to eliminate next-day availability schedules for checks drawn on and deposited at an automated teller machine of the same depository institution. Makes the availability schedule for new accounts applicable during the 90-day (currently 30-day) period beginning on the date the account is established. Authorizes the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the Federal Reserve Board) to establish rules imposing liability and allocating risk of loss among depository institutions and other entities participating in the payments system, including the States and political subdivisions on which checks are drawn. Subtitle B: Amendments to the Truth in Lending Act - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to: (1) exempt from its purview credit transactions involving consumers whose income or net worth exceeds specified thresholds; and (2) prohibit the recovery of punitive damages. Subtitle C: Homeownership Amendments - Amends the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 to exempt lenders who finance the purchase of residential real estate from requirements to provide certain information booklets to borrowers if the lender denies the loan application within three business days after it is received. Amends the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975 to index the asset size of depository institutions exempt from the Act to increases in the Consumer Price Index. Amends the Competitive Equality Banking Act of 1987 to apply the definition of "adjustable rate mortgage loan" with respect to the interest rate cap to consumer loans only. Prohibits an appropriate Federal banking agency from requiring any depository institution to engage in Fair Housing Act data collection activities if such activities are already required under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975. Subtitle D: Amendments to the Truth in Savings Act - Amends the Truth in Savings Act to direct the Federal Reserve to exempt certain broadcast, electronic, or outdoor advertisements from interest-rate disclosure requirements. Authorizes the Board to exempt or modify certain disclosure requirements with respect to specified accounts and interest rates. Limits the civil liability of a depository institution to an accountholder to the actual damages sustained. Subtitle E: Expedited Procedures for Bank Holding Companies - Amends the Bank Holding Company Act to set forth expedited procedures by which banks may reorganize into bank holding companies. Amends the Securities Act of 1933 to: (1) reflect such expedited procedures; and (2) prescribe expedited procedures for bank holding companies to seek approval to engage in nonbanking activities. Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 and the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to permit, with the concurrence of the Attorney General, the reduction to five days of the post-approval waiting period for bank holding company acquisitions and bank mergers.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1992
States that the criminal act of stalking other persons is of deep concern. Directs the Attorney General, acting through the Director of the National Institute of Justice, to: (1) evaluate anti-stalking legislation and proposed legislation in the States; (2) develop model anti-stalking legislation that is constitutional and enforceable; (3) prepare and disseminate to State authorities the findings made as a result of the evaluation; and (4) report to the Congress on the need for further Federal action.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1992
Cuban Democracy Act of 1992 - Sets forth U.S. policy with respect to Cuba. Declares that the President should encourage countries that conduct trade with Cuba to restrict their trade and credit regulations with Cuba in a manner consistent with this Act. Authorizes the President to impose the following sanctions against countries that provide assistance to Cuba: (1) ineligibility for assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 or the Arms Export Control Act; (2) a prohibition on agreements with the United States for the establishment of free trade areas; and (3) ineligibility for forgiveness or reduction of debt owed to the U.S. Government. Terminates such sanctions if the President reports to the Congress that Cuba has met conditions established under this Act concerning democracy, human rights, and a free market economy. Prohibits restrictions on the export to Cuba of medicines, subject to specified conditions and inspection requirements. Permits telecommunications services between the United States and Cuba. Requires the U.S. Postal Service to provide direct mail service to and from Cuba. Authorizes the President to provide assistance to promote nonviolent democratic change in Cuba. Prohibits the issuance of licenses for certain transactions between U.S.-controlled firms in third countries and Cuba. Bars domestic concerns from receiving a tax deduction for the portion of the deductible expenses of such concerns which are allocated or apportioned to income derived from Cuba. Prohibits vessels which enter Cuba to engage in trade from loading or unloading any freight in the United States within 180 days after departure from Cuba. Prohibits: (1) vessels carrying goods or passengers to or from Cuba or carrying goods in which a Cuban national has an interest from entering a U.S. port, except as authorized by the Secretary of the Treasury; and (2) specified commodities authorized to be exported under a general license from being exported under such a license to any such vessels. Directs the President to establish strict limits on remittances to Cuba by U.S. persons for purposes of financing the travel of Cubans to the United States to assure that such remittances are not used by the Cuban Government as a means of gaining access to U.S. currency. Declares that food, medicine, and medical supplies for humanitarian purposes should be made available to Cuba under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 if the President certifies to the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the Government of Cuba: (1) has made a commitment to hold free and fair elections for a new government within six months and is proceeding to implement that decision; (2) has made a commitment to respect and is respecting human rights and basic democratic freedoms; and (3) is not providing weapons or funds to any group in any other country that seeks the violent overthrow of the government of such country. Waives sanctions against Cuba under this Act if the President reports to the Congress that Cuba: (1) has held free and fair elections conducted under internationally recognized observers; (2) has permitted opposition parties ample time to campaign for such elections and has permitted full access to the media to all candidates; (3) is showing respect for basic civil liberties and human rights; (4) is moving toward establishing a free market economic system; and (5) has committed itself to constitutional change that would ensure regular free and fair elections. Requires the President, if he makes such report, to take the following actions with respect to a freely-elected Cuban Government: (1) encourage the admission of such government to international organizations and financial institutions; (2) provide emergency relief during Cuba's transition to a viable economic system; (3) take steps to end the U.S. trade embargo of Cuba; and (4) enter into negotiations for a trade agreement with Cuba. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to exercise the authorities of the Trading With the Enemy Act in enforcing this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Trading With the Enemy Act to authorize the Secretary to impose a civil penalty on violators of such Act. Provides for forfeiture of any property or vessel that is the subject of a violation. Requires the Department of the Treasury to establish a branch of the Office of Foreign Assets Control in Miami, Florida.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1992
Provides for the printing as a Senate document of the book entitled "Year of the American Indian, 1992: Congressional Recognition and Appreciation."
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1992
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to repeal the prohibition against separate billing for electrocardiogram interpretations. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make separate payment under the Medicare fee schedule for any such interpretations performed or ordered to be performed as part of or in conjunction with a visit to or a consultation with a physician. Provides for adjustment of medical visit and consultation relative values so as not to include relative value units for electrocardiogram interpretation in the relative value for medical visits and consultations. Sets forth guidelines for the adjustment of Medicare fee schedule amounts to reflect the separate payment for electrocardiogram interpretations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1992
Repeals a Federal prohibition on the payment of compensation to a veteran who has neither spouse, child, nor dependent parent, who is rated by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs as being incompetent, and whose estate exceeds $25,000, until the estate's value is reduced to less than $10,000.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1992
Amends title IV of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enter into an agreement with the Attorney General under which the Parent Locator Service shall be made available on a no-fee basis, to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention for the purpose of locating missing parents and children.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1992
Medical and Health Insurance Information Reform Act of 1992 - Adds a new title XXII, Medical And Health Insurance Information Reform, to the Social Security Act (SSA). Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in order to assure the availability of comparative value information to health care purchasers, to determine whether each State is developing and implementing a health care value information program. Enumerates the criteria for State programs. Provides that if the Secretary finds that a State has not developed or implemented a health care value information program that comports with such criteria, the Secretary must take necessary actions to implement a comparable program in the State. Allows fees to be charged for the informational materials provided pursuant to such program. Directs the head of any Federal agency with responsibility for the provision of health insurance or health care services to develop and make comparative value information available to States, health care providers, and consumers. Directs the Secretary to promulgate requirements for health insurers to furnish periodically to the Secretary, on a sample basis, health care data relevant to health care services research. Requires the Secretary to make available, under the Freedom of Information Act, all Medicare (SSA title XVIII) claims records, without regard to the consent of the physician or other individual who furnished the item or service in question. Maintains in force Privacy Act protections against the release of information that identifies Medicare beneficiaries. Applies this new requirement for release of records only to information received after the enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary, directly or through grant or contract, to develop model systems: (1) for gathering health care cost, quality, and outcomes data; and (2) for analyzing such data in a manner that would allow valid comparisons among providers and among health plans. Requires the Secretary to support and evaluate experiments with different approaches to achieve the most cost-effective method. Provides that, when appropriate, the Secretary may establish standards for data gathering in order to facilitate analysis and comparisons across the nation. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States to enable them to plan and initiate implementation of their health care information programs. Authorizes appropriations. Nullifies any State law which requires medical or health insurance records (including billing information) to be kept in written, rather than electronic, form. Directs the Secretary, after taking into consideration the Insurance Information and Privacy Protection Model Act of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), to promulgate requirements concerning health insurance information privacy and confidentiality. Includes among such requirements that information identifying individuals shall not be redisclosed (with such limited exceptions as the Secretary may provide) except to the extent necessary to carry out the purpose for which the information was collected. Requires the Secretary to take into consideration specified principles concerning information that identifies individuals when promulgating such requirements. Directs the Secretary to determine whether problems relating to standards for the electronic receipt and transmission of health insurance information cause significant administrative costs. Requires the Secretary, if such costs are generated, to promulgate standards for the electronic receipt and transmission of claims, payment, eligibility, and enrollment information (including privacy and confidentiality protection requirements). Directs the Secretary to determine whether problems relating to the receipt and transmission of health insurance eligibility verification cause significant administrative costs. Requires the Secretary, if such costs are generated, to promulgate requirements for the receipt and transmission of health insurance eligibility verification. Directs the Secretary to determine whether the proportion of health insurance claims and payment information received and transmitted by paper will continue to cause significant administrative costs. Directs the Secretary, if such costs are generated, to require a specified proportion of (or all of) such information to be received and transmitted electronically (with such exceptions as the Secretary might specify). Directs the Secretary to promulgate requirements for the format and content of basic claim forms under health insurance plans. Directs the Secretary to determine whether the variety of information requested by health insurers (in addition to information requested in basic claims forms) causes administrative costs disproportionate to the benefits derived. Requires the Secretary, if such costs are generated, to publish recommendations concerning what additional information should be allowed to be requested and in what format. Directs the Secretary, after consulting with the NAIC, to promulgate rules for determining the relative liability of insurers and the priority of payment when several health insurance policies cover the same individual. Directs the Secretary to determine whether problems relating to the transfer of information among health insurers that cover the same individual cause significant mistaken payments or administrative costs. Requires the Secretary, if such payments or costs are generated, to promulgate requirements concerning the transfer among insurers (and annual updating) of information (which may include requirements for the use of unique identifiers, and for the listing of all individuals covered under a health insurance plan). Directs the Secretary to determine, for each State, whether there were in effect State requirements substantially the same as those enumerated below and whether the State effectively enforced them. Applies the requirements enumerated below to administrators of self-insured employee plans. Provides for Federal backup authority to be effective in a States (with respect to a section) only if the Secretary makes a negative finding with respect to certain requirements or if the State does not provide sufficient information to enable the Secretary to make the determination. Requires health insurers (in States that do not have an equivalent program) to: (1) meet the Federal requirements concerning the protection of privacy and confidentiality; (2) use social security numbers for their beneficiaries and Medicare unique identifiers for each providers that furnishes items and services; (3) meet the standards and requirements (if any) concerning the receipt and transmission of health insurance information; (4) meet the requirements concerning the form and content of health insurance claim forms; (5) follow the rules determining the priority of payment when several health insurance policies cover the same individual; and (6) meet the requirements (if any) concerning the furnishing of information among insurers. Requires the Secretary, after consulting with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and others, to promulgate requirements for hospitals concerning electronic medical data. Specifies the data sets to be included in such requirements. Permits the Secretary, after consulting with ANSI and others, to promulgate requirements for health care entities other than hospitals concerning electronic medical data. Requires hospitals that participate in the Medicare program to maintain an electronic patient care information system that meets certain data set requirements promulgated by the Secretary for hospitals, and to transmit data electronically to the Secretary, peer review organizations, carriers, and intermediaries, from the appropriate data sets. Permits waivers of such requirements for hospitals in the process of developing an electronic patient care information system, for small rural hospitals, and for certain hospitals that agree to subject their data transfer processes to specified quality assurance procedures. Permits Federal agencies to require electronic transmission of data elements utilized for certain agency health care or research programs. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to subject insurers to an excise tax for any failure to comply with requirements under SSA new title XXII respecting health insurance. Specifies the amount of such tax for administrator of self-insured employee welfare benefit plans and other insurers. Provides that the excise tax generally shall not apply if the violation could not have been discovered through the exercise of reasonable diligence, or if the violation was corrected within 30 days after it had been discovered. Gives the Secretary authority to waive the tax if the violations were due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, to the extent payment of the tax would be excessive relative to the failure involved. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to: (1) community organizations or coalitions of health care providers, insurers, and purchasers to establish, and document the efficacy of, communication links between the information systems of health insurers and of health care providers; and (2) public and private non-profit entities for the development of regional- and community- based clinical information systems, and for the development and testing of certain ambulatory care data sets. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1992
Designates the week beginning March 21, 1993, as National Endometriosis Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1992
Designates November 13, 1992, as Vietnam Veterans Memorial 10th Anniversary Day.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1992
Designates the second Sunday in October 1992 as National Children's Day.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1992
Amends the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 to require the Secretary of the Treasury, at the request of the Secretary of Commerce (current law) authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to request the Secretary of the Treasury: (1) to take necessary action to ensure the attainment of the objectives of the machine tool decision of the President on May 20, 1986, and on December 27, 1991; and (2) to enforce any imported machine tool quantitative limitations, restrictions, or other terms contained in related bilateral arrangements. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to enforce the quantitative limitations and other provisions of bilateral arrangements negotiated with Taiwan on December 31, 1991, pursuant to the President's machine tool decision of May 20, 1986, until bilateral agreements are negotiated with such countries pursuant to the President's December 27, 1991, decision.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1992
Designates the week of November 30 through December 6, 1992, as National Education First Week.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1992
Designates September 16, 1992, as National Occupational Therapy Day.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1992
Local Exchange Infrastructure Modernization Act of 1992 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to exercise its authority to: (1) preserve and enhance universal telephone service at reasonable rates; (2) achieve universal availability of advanced network capabilities and information services; (3) assure a seamless nationwide distribution network through joint network planning, coordination, and service arrangements between and among local exchange carriers (LECs); (4) maintain high standards of quality for advanced network services; and (5) assure adequate communication for the public health, safety, defense, education, national security, and emergency preparedness. Defines "local exchange carrier" for purposes of such Act as a carrier that: (1) is required to provide upon request, under tariff or subject to other government oversight (by the FCC or a State commission), interstate and intrastate access services and telephone exchange service; (2) is, or was, a participant in one or more interstate pools established by the FCC, or would have been required to participate in one or more such pools had the carrier been engaged in interstate and intrastate access and telephone exchange service while such participation was mandatory; (3) is subject to the requirements imposed by the FCC or a State commission related to the provision of equal access; and (4) conforms with the provisions of the North American Numbering Plan applicable to the assignment of numbering resources for telephone exchange service, as defined by the Plan's Administrator. Requires the FCC to prescribe regulations that require: (1) joint coordinated network planning, design, and cooperative implementation among all LECs in the provision of public switched network infrastructure and services; (2) development of standards for interconnection between the LEC public switched network and others by appropriate standard-setting bodies; and (3) a LEC to share public switched network infrastructure and functionality with requesting LECs which serve a geographic area for which they lack economies of scale or scope for the particular required network functionality. Specifies that: (1) no LEC shall be prohibited from transporting or processing signalling and information for another LEC in adjoining or reasonably proximate serving areas upon request of that LEC to the same extent that the providing LEC is permitted to engage in such activities for itself; (2) nothing in such Act shall be construed to alter, limit, or supersede the authority of any State with respect to the regulation of intrastate communication service; and (3) nothing contained in Federal or State antitrust law shall render unlawful any action taken by a LEC or any individual or concerted action taken such as lobbying before the Congress, the FCC, or communicating by any means with other LECs, by any LEC, or its directors, officers, agents, employees, affiliates, subsidiaries, joint ventures, counsel, or other persons purporting to act on behalf of such carrier.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1992
Women in Apprenticeship Occupations and Nontraditional Occupations Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) to promote an outreach program to inform employers and labor unions of the availability of technical assistance for preparing the workplace to employ women in apprenticeable occupations and other nontraditional occupations. Requires the Secretary to: (1) promote such program to employers through, but not limited to, the private industry councils in each service delivery area; (2) provide outreach to labor unions through, but not limited to, the building trade councils, joint apprenticeable occupations councils, and individual unions; and (3) give priority to employers in areas that have nontraditional employment and training programs specifically targeted to women. Sets forth various activities which such technical assistance provided by community-based organizations to employers and labor unions. Directs the Secretary to select a total of 50 employers or labor unions to receive such technical assistance. Requires each eligible community-based organization desiring to receive a competitive grant to provide such technical assistance to employers and labor unions to submit an application to the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to give priority to applications to community-based organizations that demonstrate specified types of experience and that have tradeswomen or women in nontraditional occupations as active members. Sets forth application requirements, including specified descriptions, assurances, and commitments. Directs the Secretary to serve as a liaison among employers, labor, and community organizations. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a study of the participation of women in apprenticeable occupations and nontraditional occupations, examining specified topics; and (2) report to the Congress within two years on such study, with recommendations. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 1992
Community Bank Regulatory Relief Act of 1992 - Title I: Regulatory Burden Relief - Amends the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 to exempt from its requirements certain small-sized banks located in small towns. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 to exempt certain small-sized banks from its data gathering requirements with respect to their small business and small farm lending practices. Directs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the Board) to complete a study of the costs and benefits of compliance with such data-gathering requirements. Prohibits a bank regulatory agency from prescribing standards or regulations that set a specific level or range of compensation for bank personnel. Amends the Truth in Lending Act to: (1) exempt from its requirements credit transactions involving consumers with certain high incomes or net worth (sophisticated consumers); (2) preclude rescission in a transaction containing an unintentional error that does not substantively affect the terms of the extension of credit; and (3) deny standing to sue creditors to anyone but an individual aggrieved by a violation of the Act (thus eliminating class actions). Amends the Federal Reserve Act to: (1) exempt from its interbank liability scheme exposures between certain adequately capitalized small-sized depository institutions; and (2) exempt from its aggregate limits on credit extensions certain transactions by a member bank with senior executive personnel or principal shareholders (insider lending). Amends the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 to authorize Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies and the Resolution Trust Corporation to establish a threshold level below which a certified or licensed appraiser is not required to perform appraisals in connection with federally related transactions. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to repeal: (1) the independent public accountant attestation requirement; and (2) the asset quality, earnings, and valuation requirements. Declares that during a 15-month moratorium no regulations issued under the Truth in Savings Act shall apply to certain small-sized depository institutions. Requires the Board to conduct a full cost benefit analysis of the compliance of such institutions with the Act. Requires a detailed corroboration to accompany any Federal banking regulatory agency certification that a proposed or final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of all small depository institutions. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to require Federal banking regulatory agencies to: (1) undertake a coordinated review of regulations promulgated by them; and (2) ensure that their regulations are uniform with those of their Federal counterparts. Title II: Secured Creditor Protection - Asset Conservation and Deposit Insurance Protection Act of 1992 - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to set forth conditions under which the liability of an insured depository institution or mortgage lender for the actual or threatened release of petroleum or hazardous substances in connection with certain property is limited to the actual benefit conferred upon them by the remedial action undertaken by another party. Shields an insured depository institution or mortgage lender from liability for such hazards if their relationship to the affected property stems solely from foreclosure, fiduciary capacity, or certain credit transactions. Requires the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to promulgate regulations to require insured depository institutions and mortgage lenders to develop and implement procedures to evaluate environmental risks that may arise from property before making an extension of credit involving a security interest in the property. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to shield Federal banking and lending agencies from liability under any law imposing strict liability for the actual or threatened release of petroleum or a hazardous substance from property acquired in connection with the exercise of receivership or conservatorship authority, the provision of financial assistance, or receipt of property in a civil or criminal proceeding. Extends such liability limitation to certain subsequent first purchasers of such property. Exempts: (1) such property from any liens for damages associated with actual or threatened petroleum or hazardous substance release; and (2) Federal banking or lending agencies from covenants to remediate.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1992
Designates the week beginning November 8, 1992, as National Women Veterans Recognition Week.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1992
Designates February 21 through February 27, 1993, as American Wine Appreciation Week. Commends the winegrape and fruit growers and vintners of the United States for the production of high quality agricultural products.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1992
Designates July 1992 as National Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1992
Designates January 3 through 9, 1993, as National Law Enforcement Training Week.