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United States · Official source
6,479 records where Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1992
Designates November 13, 1992, as Vietnam Veterans Memorial 10th Anniversary Day.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1992
Expresses the sense of the Congress that U.S. policy should promote the conservation and protection of whale, dolphin, and porpoise populations, and that the United States should: (1) work to strengthen and maintain the International Whaling Commission (IWC) moratorium on the commercial killing of whales and work toward a similar moratorium on the direct commercial harvest of dolphins and porpoises; (2) work to strengthen the IWC by reaffirming its competence to regulate direct commercial whaling on all species of cetaceans and encourage the IWC to utilize the expertise of its scientific committee by seriously considering the committee's recommendations; (3) endorse France's proposal to the IWC meeting in Glasgow, Scotland, in the summer of 1992 to create a sanctuary in the oceans of the southern hemisphere in which commercial whaling shall be expressly prohibited; and (4) make the fullest use of diplomatic channels, appropriate domestic and international law, and all other available means, in promoting the conservation and protection of the world's whale populations.
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 · 15 June 1992
New England Groundfish Restoration Act - Amends the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act to establish a New England Groundfish Restoration Program. Requires the New England Fishery Management Council to submit to the Secretary of Commerce (the Secretary) an amendment to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (the Plan) that establishes conservation and management measures for New England groundfish designed to reduce fishing mortality to the extent necessary to eliminate overfishing and achieve optimum yield of cod and yellowtail flounder stocks not later than seven years after the effective date of the amendment, and of haddock stocks not later than ten years after that effective date. Requires the Council to recommend to the Secretary a schedule of civil penalties, including fishing permit sanctions. Requires the Secretary, if the Council does not submit an amendment to the Plan within a reasonable period of time, to prepare such an amendment and issue regulations as necessary for its implementation. Requires such amendment to provide for the immediate suspension of fishing, within five days after receipt of a request from the Council, in areas where New England groundfish are spawning and areas where there are high concentrations of undersized New England groundfish. Sets forth notification requirements for affected fishermen if the amendment establishes a moratorium on the issuance of new permits authorizing participation in the New England groundfish fishery. Directs the Secretary, simultaneously with the issuance of regulations implementing a Plan amendment, to issue a schedule of civil penalties for violations of this Act relating to the New England groundfish fishery. Requires the Secretary to publish in the Federal Register a statement explaining why any part of the Council recommendation is not included in such schedule. Requires the Secretary, not later than one year after the effective date of the regulations implementing any Plan amendment, to review the actions taken by each State represented on the Council to implement the Plan amendment. Authorizes the Secretary to regulate fishing within State boundaries only if the Secretary complies with required exceptions to State jurisdiction. Declares that: (1) the Council shall not be required to approve, under the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act, a rebuilding program for New England groundfish; (2) the Secretary of Commerce shall not be required to take any action under such Act to prepare a program for the rebuilding of cod, yellowtail flounder, and haddock stocks in the northwest Atlantic Ocean; and (3) the Council and the Secretary of Commerce shall not be required to perform any other act pursuant to their functions under such Act, based upon any failure, before the enactment of this Act, of them to perform their functions under that Act. Requires the Secretary, not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act, if requested by the Governor of a State represented on the Council, to enter into an agreement that authorizes the marine law enforcement of such State to perform duties of the Secretary relating to enforcement of the Plan. Requires such a agreement to provide, subject to appropriations, for reimbursement of the State for expenses incurred in detection and prosecution of violations of any fishery management plan. Directs the Commander of the First Coast Guard District to establish an informal fisheries enforcement working group to improve the overall compliance with and effectiveness of the regulations issued under the Plan. Requires the Secretary to use amounts under this Act attributable to fines and penalties for violations of the Plan to enforce that Plan. Authorizes the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary, to enter into an international fishery agreement with Canada for the conservation and management of fisheries of mutual concern in the northwest Atlantic Ocean, with particular emphasis on transboundary stocks of groundfish and ensuring the success of New England groundfish restoration efforts. Sets forth required contents of such an agreement. Requires the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary, to establish a consultative committee to assist in the development and implementation of a fishery agreement. Subjects such an agreement to congressional oversight of governing international fishery agreements. Requires the Secretary of State to annually report to the Congress describing the activities of the Secretary with respect to such agreement. Directs the Secretary, not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act, to establish a program for: (1) promoting development of commercial fisheries and markets for underutilized species of the northwest Atlantic Ocean; (2) developing alternative fishing opportunities for participants in the New England groundfish fishery; and (3) providing technical support and assistance to U.S. fishermen and fish processors to make participation in fisheries for such underutilized species economically viable. Authorizes the Secretary to award contracts, grants, and other financial assistance for activities under the program. Requires owners or operators of fishing vessels permitted to participate in the New England groundfish fishery to temporarily surrender that permit during the duration of the assistance. Provides for funding such program. Directs the Council, in consultation with other appropriate Councils, to develop fishery management plans as soon as possible for any underutilized species of the northwest Atlantic Ocean that is not covered under such a plan, in order to prevent overfishing of that species. Requires the Secretary to include the restoration of New England groundfish stock in developing a strategic plan for fisheries research. Requires the Secretary to establish a research program at the Northeast Fisheries and Science Center of the National Marine Fisheries Service. Requires the program to include research into conservation gear engineering and technology, groundfish hatcheries and shore-based fish production facilities, and other appropriate activities. Requires the Secretary, acting through the General Counsel of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to provide a detailed response to any written request from a Council for legal advice regarding whether a management measure or other regulation is consistent with this Act. Establishes a Fisheries Reinvestment Fund to be available, without fiscal year limitation, for research and development projects directed at rebuilding, revitalizing, and diversifying fisheries upon which coastal communities depend to meet social and economic needs. Provides for funding such Fund and sets forth criteria for eligible projects. Establishes an advisory panel to develop priorities for the program and review and make recommendations regarding projects to be selected for funding. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants from the Fund to support projects under the Fishery Conservation Amendments of 1990 (commonly referred to as the Saltonstall-Kennedy Act). Amends such Act to authorize the transfer of funds from the fund for fishery research and development to the Fisheries Reinvestment Fund for FY 1993 through 1997.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1992
International Refugee Protection Act of 1992 - Reaffirms that the obligations of the United States under the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (Convention) apply to actions of the United States with respect to individuals outside U.S. territorial boundaries. Prohibits: (1) the United States from returning a national or habitual resident of a country who is outside the territorial boundaries of the United States or within the territorial waters of his or her country of residence or nationality to the territorial boundaries of such country; and (2) the expenditure of funds with respect to any such return unless the U.S. Government has determined that such an individual is not, due to a well-founded fear of persecution about returning to his or her country, a refugee under the Convention. Makes this Act inapplicable to an individual if: (1) such individual participated in the persecution of any person on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion; (2) there are serious reasons for considering that the individual has committed a serious nonpolitical crime; or (3) there are reasonable grounds for regarding the individual as a danger to U.S. security. Provides that this Act does not apply to nationals and habitual residents of a country at U.S. diplomatic and consular missions in that country.
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 · 21 May 1992
National Marine Sanctuaries Program Amendments Act of 1992 - Amends the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 to include the cost of long-term monitoring in the definition of "damages." Requires, in order to designate an area as a sanctuary, a determination that existing State and Federal authorities should be supplemented (currently, that such authorities are inadequate) to ensure coordinated and comprehensive conservation and management. Requires, when determining whether to designate an area, consideration of: (1) governmental as well as commercial or recreational resource uses; and (2) past, present, or proposed future disposal of materials in the area, including hazardous substances, hazardous wastes, or radioactive wastes. Modifies procedures for: (1) proposing designation of an area as a sanctuary; and (2) the taking effect of a designation. Makes Federal agency actions internal or external to a national marine sanctuary that are likely to injure any sanctuary resource or quality subject to review by and consultation with the Secretary. Mandates review of sanctuary management plans at least every five years. Requires title III (Marine Sanctuaries) of the Act and regulations under certain provisions of that title (currently, requires those regulations) to be applied in accordance with international law, treaties, and conventions to which the United States is a party. Includes the U.S. territorial sea and the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone in the application of the Act and its regulations and permits. Mandates cooperation with other governments and international organizations in furtherance of the title. Replaces provisions mandating research and education programs with provisions making it unlawful to violate the Act or to refuse or interfere with searches or inspections. Increases the dollar limit on fines for violations. Declares that: (1) a civil penalty constitutes a maritime lien on the vessel used in the violation of the title and allows in rem recovery; and (2) the proceeds from forfeiture of a vessel or its equipment, stores, or cargo constitute a separate recovery in addition to any civil penalty. Allows penalties and forfeitures to be used for enforcement costs and the costs of any liens or mortgages against forfeited property. Replaces provisions mandating the promotion and coordination of research with provisions directing the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) conduct research, monitoring, evaluation, and education to carry out the title; and (2) promote and coordinate research, monitoring, and education. Replaces provisions mandating cooperative agreements with provisions authorizing cooperative agreements, grants, contracts, or other agreements to carry out the title. Authorizes solicitation and acceptance of donations to carry out the title. Declares that nothing in a specified Federal law relating to the liability of a vessel owner shall limit liability under this Act. Allows the defense (to liability for harm to a sanctuary resource) that the activity was specifically authorized by Federal or State law only if the activity was conducted in compliance with the terms of any required permit or license. Removes provisions allowing the defense to such liability that the harm was negligible. Requires recovery, with interest, of administrative costs and expenses in connection with damage assessment and restoration planning, any restoration, replacement, or acquisition, and actions to recover damages. Removes provisions regulating the use of civil penalties. Requires amounts recovered with respect to sanctuary resources under State jurisdiction to be used in accordance with the court decree or settlement agreement as well as with an agreement entered into by the Secretary and the Governor of that State, provided the agreement involving the Governor is entered into by a certain period after recovery of the amounts. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the title. Authorizes establishment of advisory councils with regard to the designation or management of one or more national marine sanctuaries.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1992
Designates August 1, 1992, the 17th anniversary of the signing of the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (the Helsinki accords), as Helsinki Human Rights Day. Calls upon the President to: (1) issue a proclamation reasserting the U.S. commitment to full implementation of the Act, urging all signatory states to abide by their obligations under the Helsinki accords; (2) continue his efforts to achieve full implementation of the human rights and humanitarian provisions of the Helsinki accords by raising the issue of noncompliance on the part of any signatory State which may be in violation; (3) convey to all signatories that respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms continues to be a vital element of further progress in the ongoing Helsinki process; and (4) in view of the considerable progress made to date, develop new proposals to advance the human rights objectives of the Helsinki process, and in so doing address the major problems that remain.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1992
Declares that the Congress adopts specified principles on rights and obligations with respect to the environment, to be known as the Earth Charter, and urges the nations participating in the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in June 1992 to adopt the same rights and obligations as a separate Earth Charter. Includes within such principles: (1) the integration of environmental and development objectives with economic and trade policies; (2) the promotion of sustainable development; (3) respect for human rights; (4) the adoption of precautionary measures to prevent causes of environmental degradation; (5) a commitment to peace and security; (6) the elimination of unsustainable patterns of production and consumption; (7) the availability of information relevant to environment and development; (8) open and free market objectives; (9) the bearing of pollution costs by polluters; (10) the establishment of democratic institutions; (11) the elimination of poverty; and (12) assistance to developing countries.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1992
Condemns the violence in South Africa. Urges the Government of South Africa to take steps to end the violence and protect all South Africans. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should prepare and transmit to the Senate a report on the nature of the violence in South Africa, the role that the various particpants are playing, and the impact of such violence on South Africa's transition to democracy.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1992
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the Government of Thailand should promptly restore respect for human rights and democratic rule by taking specified steps, including: an immediate cessation of the use of lethal force against unarmed pro-democracy demonstrators; lifting the State of Emergency; releasing all those detained for the peaceful expression of their views; allowing those detained since May 18, 1992 immediate access to attorneys, medical personnel, and international humanitarian organizations; declaring amnesty for all those facing criminal charges since the February 1991 military coup for peacefully expressing their views; and fulfilling its stated commitment to peaceful negotiations and elected rule; (2) the U.S. Government should suspend joint military exercises with Thailand; and (3) the Secretary of State should convey these recommendations to the Thai authorities at the highest level and confirm that no U.S. economic or military assistance will be provided until a duly elected government is fully installed and human rights are respected.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1992
Designates October 1992 as Polish-American Heritage Month.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1992
Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue a specified number of one-dollar silver coins to commemorate the heroic service of veterans who served during the Vietnam War and the 10th anniversary of the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Sets forth certain features of such coins and provides for their design, issuance, and sale. Requires that all sales include a surcharge of $7 per coin. Requires that all surcharges be paid to the Vietnam Veterans Assistance Fund for specified veteran programs and services.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1992
Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1992 - Authorizes appropriations for the Coast Guard for: (1) operation and maintenance; (2) acquisition, construction, rebuilding, and improvement of aids to navigation, shore and offshore facilities, vessels, and aircraft; (3) research, development, test, and evaluation; (4) retirement pay and benefits; (5) alteration or removal of bridges; and (6) environmental compliance and restoration. Authorizes the Coast Guard end-of-year strength for active duty personnel and the average military training student loads. Amends Federal law to authorize denial or revocation of a trade or recreational endorsement on a certificate of documentation if the vessel's owner has not paid an assessment of a civil penalty after final agency action. Makes the vessel and its equipment liable to seizure and forfeiture if it is operated after denial or revocation. Authorizes designation of a limited percentage of officers of an armed force in the pay grade of O-6 or below (currently, grades O-3 through O-6) as having unusual responsibility, resulting in additional pay. Subjects foreign vessels certified by countries with inspection laws similar to those of the United States to (currently, only to) an inspection to ensure that the condition of the vessel is (currently, the condition of the vessel's propulsion and lifesaving equipment are) as stated in its certificate. Prohibits a foreign vessel (currently, a foreign or domestic vessel of more than a specified size) from departing from a U.S. port with passengers who embarked at that port if the vessel does not comply with the standards stated in the Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea. Requires that, when an inspection or examination of a documented or foreign vessel (currently, of a documented vessel) is conducted under part B (currently, under chapter 33) at a foreign place at the request of the owner or operator of the vessel, the owner or operator reimburse the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating for the travel and subsistence of the personnel involved. (Chapter 33 (Inspection Generally) is one of the chapters in Part B (Inspection and Regulation of Vessels).) Modifies the applicable period and other requirements regarding a recreational boat fee. Requires common carriers and conferences to file electronically with the Federal Maritime Commission all tariffs and essential terms of service contracts required to be filed by specified provisions of the Shipping Act, 1916 and the Intercoastal Shipping Act, 1933. Requires the Commission to: (1) make available electronically to any person all tariff information and essential terms of service contracts filed in the Automated Tariff Filing and Information System database and all tariff information in the System enhanced electronically by the Commission at any time; and (2) charge fees for such access and copies. Exempts Federal agencies from such fees. Provides for civil monetary penalties for failure to pay the fees. Sets forth procedures for implementation of automatic filing, including directing the Secretary of the Treasury to make available a specified sum as a repayable advance, to be repaid from the fees collected. Deposits fees, after repayment of that advance, in the general fund of the Treasury as offsetting receipts.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1992
Global Climate Protection Act - Directs the President to promulgate final regulations that will achieve stabilization of carbon dioxide emissions by January 1, 2000. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to evaluate and report biennially to the Congress on the progress made pursuant to such regulations. Directs the President to promulgate additional regulations to achieve stabilization if the Administrator finds that the regulations will not achieve stabilization. Permits citizen suits against officers of the United States for failures to perform duties in accordance with this Act.
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.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1992
National Environmental Technologies Agency Act - Establishes the National Environmental Technologies Agency to: (1) coordinate Federal environmental restoration and protection planning; (2) identify areas that need technical solutions to maintain environmental security, are not receiving product-oriented research necessary to meet those needs, and exhibit the greatest promise for the development of solutions; (3) support the development of technology having future application in environmental restoration and protection; (4) coordinate the exchange of technological information relating to environmental restoration and protection between Federal agencies and the private sector; (5) support continuing research and development of advanced technologies; (6) monitor research and development being conducted on advanced technologies by private industry; and (7) promote continuing development of a technological industrial base in the United States. Establishes an interagency advisory committee to provide information to the Agency with respect to the needs and concerns of specified agencies in the field of environmental technologies. Establishes the Industry and Academia Advisory Council to make recommendations regarding general policy for the Agency. Permits the Agency Administrator to transfer to the domestic private sector technology developed with the support of the Agency if the technology may have potential application in private activities relating to environmental restoration and protection. Authorizes the Administrator to enter into cooperative agreements with public or private entities to carry out Agency functions, subject to certain conditions. Provides for dissemination of the results of Agency research. Prohibits the making of a contract or award until the research project in question has passed a merit review. Directs the Administrator, in determining whether to make an award to a joint venture, to consider whether the joint venture has provided for appropriate participation of U.S. small businesses. Exempts from Federal disclosure requirements information obtained on a confidential basis in connection with business operations or trade secrets of a joint venture. Prohibits the disclosure by a Federal employee of intellectual property owned by a joint venture that receives funding under this Act, except in accordance with an agreement between the owner and the Administrator. Entitles the United States to a share of licensing fees and royalty payments made to a joint venture in an amount proportionate to the Federal share of costs incurred. Provides for the return of unspent Federal funds to the Agency if it appears that the recipient is not making satisfactory progress toward successful completion of the project. Entitles the United States, upon dissolution of a joint venture that receives funding under this Act, to a share of the residual assets proportionate to the Federal share of costs. Establishes the Environmental Advanced Research Projects Revolving Fund. Authorizes the Administrator to use the Fund to provide financial assistance to industrial and nonprofit research centers, universities, and other entities that serve long-term environmental security needs. Requires the Administrator to report annually to the Congress on: (1) activities of the Agency; (2) the extent to which technologies developed with Agency assistance have been used; and (3) the extent to which those technologies have been transferred overseas. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1992
Social Security Equity Act of 1992 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to provide that the combined earnings of a married couple which are attributable to the period of their marriage shall be shared equally between them for purposes of determining the eligibility for, and amount of, OASDI benefits to which each spouse is or may become separately entitled. Credits the survivor of the marriage with 100 percent of the combined total wages for the period of the marriage. Provides that this Act shall not apply in specified cases where it would result in a reduction of OASDI benefits. Sets forth certain age and marriage requirements with which married couples must comply in order for this Act to apply.
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.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1992
Designates the week of October 18 through 24, 1992, as National Radon Action Week.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1992
Authorizes the Thomas Paine National Historical Association to construct a Heroic Statue honoring Thomas Paine on the U.S. Capitol Grounds.
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.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1992
Directs the Postmaster General to issue a commemorative postage stamp in honor of American POWs/MIAs.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1992
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) Libya should comply with United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 748 and release to the United States or the United Kingdom for trial the two Libyan suspects in the bombing of Pan Am flight 103, cooperate with the French judicial investigation into the bombing of UTA flight 772, compensate the families of the victims of those aircraft bombings, and cease support for terrorism; (2) the United States and the UN Security Council should consider additional measures against Libya if it does not fully cooperate with the UN Security Council Resolutions; (3) all countries should adhere to the UN sanctions against Libya; (4) the U.S. Government, the UN Security Council, and other nations should work together to ensure that the sanctions are adhered to; (5) the United States and other nations should consider additional measures against violators of the UN sanctions; and (6) all U.S. nationals who are contributing to the Libyan economy should leave Libya promptly, and the U.S. Congress and executive branch should work together to increase penalties against those U.S. individuals who choose to remain in Libya in defiance of U.S. law.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1992
Designates the week beginning July 26, 1992, as Lyme Disease Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1992
Consumer Seafood Safety Act of 1992 - Deems unsafe for human consumption fish products: (1) containing a contaminant exceeding a tolerance; (2) derived from fish harvested from a closed area; (3) processed, handled, stored, or transported in violation of standards; or (4) which are shellfish and are grown or harvested in a State without an approved program or in an uncertified foreign nation, harvested from an unclassified and unmonitored area, or transported or held for transport by a person not on a specified list. Title I: National Seafood Safety Program - Mandates: (1) a national program for seafood safety; and (2) a handbook of Federal regulations and guidelines on seafood safety. Mandates a national shellfish safety program to protect against hazards to human health from the consumption of shellfish, including certain standards, procedures, and requirements regarding growing, harvesting, handling, processing, and shipping shellfish, actual and potential growing and harvesting area water quality, closure of such areas, and tracing of shellfish in commerce. Provides for State shellfish safety programs, approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in shellfish-producing States. Authorizes grants to States with approved programs for a portion of operating costs. Mandates publication of a list of shellfish shippers certified by a State or a foreign nation. Requires establishment of tolerances for contaminants that may render fish products injurious to health. Allows the tolerances to include indicators and requires taking into account other sources of exposure to a contaminant. Prohibits considering a product adulterated, under specified provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA), if the product meets the tolerance established under this Act. Amends the FDCA to define "added substance." Mandates, for waters under Federal jurisdiction seaward of the inner boundary of the Exclusive Economic Zone, identification, classification, and monitoring of fish and shellfish growing and harvesting areas regarding hazards likely to render fish products unsafe. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) prohibit or impose restrictions on the harvesting of fish from an area likely to exceed tolerances under this Act or to be adulterated under the FDCA; and (2) develop guidelines to assist States in establishing procedures for closing waters under State jurisdiction. Provides for closure of a State area by the Secretary of Commerce. Mandates standards for facilities which process fish products other than shellfish, including regarding transportation. Prohibits requiring freezing or cooking of products intended for raw consumption unless that is the only practical procedure to adequately prevent the products from being unsafe under this Act or adulterated under the FDCA. Requires, if necessary, standards for fishing vessels or fish tender vessels. Requires a comprehensive inspection system for fish products sold in interstate commerce, including unannounced inspections. Provides for product detention and condemnation. Applies rights and duties, under existing inspection provisions of the FDCA, to enforcement of this Act. Provides for the collection of samples of fish products under the inspection systems of this Act. Mandates registration of processors and importers. Authorizes aid to States, including technical and laboratory assistance, training, and financial aid, for planning and implementing a seafood safety program. Allows a State to have its own inspection program, mandating Federal approval if at least equal to the Federal program, with portions of the State program enforced in lieu of portions of the Federal program. Authorizes grants to States with approved programs for a portion of operating costs. Mandates a comprehensive imported seafood safety system, including routine inspections at processing facilities in exporting nations and at U.S. ports of entry. Requires that imports meeting specified requirements be deemed to be and treated as domestic fish products, except that labeling must identify the country of origin. Subjects fish products from a nation that is: (1) certified under this Act to random inspections and sampling; and (2) not certified under this Act to intensified inspections and sampling. Prohibits imports of shellfish from an uncertified nation. Provides for product detention and condemnation. Authorizes an agreement with a nation exporting to the United States with a seafood safety program at least equal in effectiveness to the program under this Act. Includes in the agreement reciprocity regarding seafood imports and exports between the nations. Requires certification of the types of fish products for which such a nation maintains such a program. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act, earmarking funds for assistance to States and for the research program authorized under title II of this Act. Title II: Research and Education - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to work, through the Centers for Disease Control, to include seafood in an active surveillance system and to assess more accurately the human disease in the United States associated with the consumption of seafood. Requires guidelines for a system to analyze for contaminants samples of fish products from sources other than facilities inspected under this Act. Mandates a national public education program on seafood including regarding: (1) both consumers and health professionals; and (2) recreational and subsistence fisheries. Provides for national, regional, State, and local advisories concerning seafood safety. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Commerce to conduct research to assist the implementation of this Act, including regarding sanitation, monitoring techniques, contaminant detection and source determination, and consumption data. Establishes a five-year research program to improve systems for monitoring and classifying fish growing areas and fishing grounds. Authorizes contracts for the program. Title III: Seafood Safety Enforcement - Provides for: (1) the protection of employee whistleblowers; (2) the recall of any fish product if there is a reasonable probability that the product is unsafe under this Act or adulterated or misbranded under the FDCA; and (3) voluntary recalls. Prohibits certain acts regarding fish products, including: (1) selling, transporting, or disposing of any unsafe product; (2) committing any act during transport or while holding for sale which makes a product unsafe; (3) processing or importing products without being registered; (4) refusing inspection; (5) maintaining false records or destroying records; (6) failure to comply with a recall; and (7) other acts in violation of this Act. Prescribes civil and criminal penalties.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1992
Democracy in Peru Act of 1992 - Calls upon the Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori and the Peruvian armed forces to: (1) restore the Peruvian Congress and judiciary to power; (2) respect the Peruvian Constitution; (3) restore and respect individual and human rights; and (4) renounce violence as a means of achieving political goals. Calls upon: (1) Peru's armed forces to submit to civilian control; and (2) the Organization of American States and the international community to consider measures to ensure that constitutional order is restored in Peru. Suspends all U.S. assistance (except humanitarian assistance) to Peru until the President certifies to the Congress that the conditions of this Act have been met.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1992
Child Support Tax Equity Act of 1992 - Declares that nothing in this Act should be construed to affect the right of an individual or State to receive child support payments or the obligation of an individual to pay child support. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a nonbusiness bad debt deduction for unpaid child support payments. Limits such deduction to $10,000 per child. Allows such deduction to taxpayers whose gross income does not exceed $40,000 and who are owed payments of at least $500. Requires payments to be delinquent during the entire taxable year. Provides a cost-of-living adjustment for amounts under this Act. Requires subsequent payments to be included in the gross income of the recipient. Requires any taxable unpaid child support payments of a taxpayer to be treated as amounts includible in gross income by reason of the discharge of indebtedness of the taxpayer. Allows a deduction for subsequently made payments.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1992
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the last Friday of April 1992 as National Arbor Day.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1992
Appropriations Category Reform Act of 1992 - States that the Congress declares that it is essential that the Nation achieve savings in national defense beyond those agreed to in the budget summit agreement of 1990, reduce the deficit, and invest in areas of pressing domestic need that have been neglected since the 1980s. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to revise the discretionary spending limit for FY 1993 by merging the defense and domestic categories into a national category. Makes conforming changes to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act).
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1992
Every Fifth Child Act - Makes appropriations for FY 1993, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, in specified amounts to begin a phase-in toward full funding of: (1) the special supplemental food program for women, infants, and children (WIC) under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966; (2) Head Start programs under the Head Start Act; and (3) the Job Corps program under the Job Training Partnership Act. Expresses the sense of the Congress that such programs should receive specified minimum levels of funding to allow: (1) the WIC program to be fully funded through FY 1996; (2) Head Start programs to be fully funded through FY 1998; and (3) the Job Corps to establish at least 50 additional centers and serve at least 50 percent more of low-income disadvantaged youth by the year 2000.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1992
Designates the week of January 3 through 9, 1993, as Braille Literacy Week.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1992
Designates April 9, 1992, as Child Care Worthy Wage Day.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1992
National Recycling Markets Act of 1992 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a Bureau of Recyclable Commodities within the Department of Commerce to promote the use of recovered materials diverted from solid waste. Requires the Secretary to identify and, to the extent practicable, standardize types and grades of specified recovered materials covered by this title and compostable materials that qualify as recovered materials. Excludes materials that are not recycled easily from consideration as recovered materials. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations to encourage the elimination of the production of such materials and the production of alternatives that can be recycled easily. Requires producers of materials or products likely to be treated as recovered materials to ensure that such materials conform to the specifications of an identified grade. Permits industries or local governments engaged in recycling activities to petition the Secretary for the revision of grades to prevent or minimize interference with current recycling techniques. Directs the Secretary to make reports available to the public, at least on a quarterly basis, on prevailing market prices for recovered materials. Requires the Secretary to make reports available to the public, at least annually, on: (1) the prevailing national recycling rate for each recovered material; and (2) the technical and economic factors that may influence future foreign and domestic markets for recovered materials. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on the potential for expanded recycling of recoverable paper and paperboard, lead scrap, rubber scrap, plastic scrap, aluminum scrap, ferrous and nonferrous scrap, waste glass, and yard and food waste. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical and financial assistance to a person for the purpose of constructing or operating facilities and equipment for the collection, separation, or processing of recyclable materials. Sets forth minimum content standards and deadlines for the use of post-consumer materials in aluminum, glass, steel, plastics, and paper or products, packaging, or containers containing such materials. Prohibits the transport in interstate commerce of covered items not meeting such standards. Applies such standards to entities that produce covered items. Sets forth reporting requirements for such entities and major users of such materials. Requires the Secretary to publish an annual list indicating, by commodity, the average annual amount of post-consumer and post-mill recovered materials used in the commodity and the average annual percentage of such materials for manufacturers of paper, glass and plastic bottles and containers, and metal containers. Directs publishers of daily newspapers with annual circulations of 25,000 or more to publish the average annual percentage of post-consumer recovered material used in the production of such newspapers during the previous calendar year. Prohibits States or political subdivisions from establishing or continuing minimum content standards that are more stringent than those set forth in this Act. Prohibits products, packages, containers, or materials that do not meet: (1) minimum content standards from being labeled as recycled or as having recycled content; and (2) the recycling rate goal set forth in this Act (within the distribution area of the item) from being labeled as recyclable or compostable. Sets forth labeling requirements with respect to recycled and recyclable items that meet content standards and recycling rate goals. Requires manufacturers of items which use plastic in the item or packaging to indicate on the item or packaging the type of plastic used. Requires the Secretary to develop a program to promote the sale in foreign commerce of recovered materials for recycling by foreign industries. Directs the Secretary to make available to the public information on foreign markets. Requires the Secretary to develop a program to promote the sale in foreign commerce of recycled goods produced in the United States. Directs the Secretary to integrate this program with existing programs promoting the sale of such goods. Requires the Secretary to make grants to accredited institutions of higher education to establish at least four to six recycling research centers in the United States. Directs the Secretary to establish such centers equitably among the regions of the United States. Requires each center to carry out at least one project relating to research on the composting of yard waste, food waste, or recoverable paper and paperboard. Limits the Federal share of grants to 80 percent of the total cost of establishing and operating the research center. Requires the Secretary to provide technical assistance to State and local governments for public education programs concerning recycling and waste reduction. Directs the Secretary to issue a recycling advisory to potentially affected parties if a characteristic of a recyclable material is interfering with: (1) current recycling techniques; (2) marketing of recycled goods manufactured from the material; or (3) handling of the recyclable material prior to recycling. Makes such advisories available to the public. Makes information compiled under this title available to the public. Establishes a toll-free telephone hotline for members of the public seeking information from the Department of Commerce. Sets forth State goals for rates at which products or packaging made of glass, aluminum, ferrous metals and bimetal packaging, plastics, recyclable paper, and nonrecyclable compostables should be diverted out of the waste stream in distribution areas. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to set up a system to monitor compliance with recycling rate goals. Directs the Secretary to collect recycling statistics. Requires the Administrator to: (1) analyze such statistics to determine the prevailing national recycling rates for recovered materials; and (2) revise the standard industrial classification system as necessary to facilitate the collection of information on recycling and related activities. Prescribes civil penalties for specified violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1992
Designates August 15, 1992, as 82d Airborne Division 50th Anniversary Recognition Day.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1992
Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 - Title I: Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to provide grants to State and local entities for lead-based paint hazard reduction activities (including testing of children) in private target housing. Authorizes appropriations, including a technical assistance set-aside. Establishes a ten percent minimum matching requirement. Amends specified Federal housing Acts to require assessments of lead-based paint hazards. Amends the Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act to require the inspection and abatement of lead-based paint hazards in all pre-1978 federally owned residential properties prior to disposition. Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to require State and local comprehensive housing affordability strategies to include estimates of housing units with lead paint problems and outline hazard abatement activities. Directs the Secretary to: (1) assess and reduce lead-based paint hazards as part of the National Housing Act mortgage insurance programs; and (2) establish a task force on private sector financing of lead-based paint hazard reduction. Title II: Assessment and Reduction Infrastructure - Requires Federal assessment and reduction of lead-based paint hazards to be conducted by federally certified contractors and laboratories. Directs the Secretary to: (1) issue lead-based paint hazard assessment and reduction guidelines; and (2) establish related monitoring systems. Subjects a contractor to contract disqualification (in addition to other remedies) for certification noncompliance or negligent compliance. Directs the Secretary to establish a National Clearinghouse on Residential Lead-Based Paint Poisoning. Sets aside specified funds for Clearinghouse activities. Title III: Public Information and Technical Assistance - Provides for the disclosure of information concerning lead-based paint hazards in contracts for purchase, sale, or leasing of target housing. Sets forth required contract Lead Warning Statements. Requires the Secretary to publish a related lead hazard information pamphlet. Sets forth penalties for disclosure violations. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop a public awareness campaign regarding the dangers of childhood lead poisoning; and (2) establish a lead hazard hotline. Sets aside specified funds for such activities. Requires: (1) the Secretary to develop consumer information to be distributed by home improvement retailers regarding potential lead hazards of remodeling or renovation; and (2) manufacturers of hand tools used in such remodeling to affix a related warning label (to be developed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission). Title IV: Formulation of a National Strategy - Directs the Secretary to formulate a national strategy for eliminating lead-based paint hazards in housing. Title V: Research and Development - Subtitle A: HUD Research - Directs the Secretary to conduct research on: (1) lead exposure from non-paint sources such as exterior soil and lead dust; and (2) lead testing technologies. Sets aside specified funds for such activities. Subtitle B: GAO Report - Directs the General Accounting Office to assess the availability of liability insurance for owners of residential housing that contains lead-based paint and persons engaged in assessment and reduction activities. Title VI: Reports - Sets forth reporting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1992
National Beverage Container Reuse and Recycling Act of 1992 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to prohibit the sale of beer, mineral water, soda water, wine coolers, or carbonated soft drinks in beverage containers by retailers and distributors unless such containers carry a refund value of ten cents. Requires distributors to collect from retailers the refund value for each beverage sold to such retailers. Directs retailers to collect from consumers the refund value for each beverage sold to such consumers. Requires retailers and distributors to pay the refund on returned containers of brands (in the same kind and size of container) sold by such retailers or distributors. Directs distributors to pay annually to a State unclaimed refund amounts (the amount by which the total refund value of all containers sold by such distributors exceeds the amount paid by distributors to persons in that State). Makes unclaimed refunds available to a State for carrying out pollution prevention and recycling programs. Prohibits distributors and retailers from: (1) selling beverages in metal beverage containers with detachable openings; and (2) disposing of containers subject to this Act or any metal, glass, or plastic from such containers (other than the top or seal) in landfills or solid waste disposal facilities. Makes this Act inapplicable to States that have adopted requirements identical to those under this Act or that have demonstrated achievement of a recycling or reuse rate for beverage containers of at least 70 percent. Makes States that fail to maintain such rate for a consecutive 12-month period subject to this Act's requirements. Prohibits States or political subdivisions that impose taxes on the sale of beverage containers from imposing any tax on the amount attributable to the refund value of such containers. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate regulations to provide for the adjustment for inflation of the ten-cent refund amount at ten-year intervals. Prescribes civil penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1992
Designates May 1992 as Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1992
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the U.S. Government should: (1) support resolutions like the European Community-led resolution on the situation in Tibet submitted to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights; (2) condemn Beijing's human rights abuses in Tibet in all appropriate international fora; and (3) raise human rights abuses in Tibet with senior Chinese officials.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1992
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the United Nations (UN) Security Council should take up the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh (NK) to consider whether UN peacekeeping forces should be deployed to maintain order in the area; (2) a ceasefire between the warring parties should come into effect; (3) there should be free access to prisoners by foreign government representatives and independent human rights organizations; (4) foreign assistance extended to former Soviet republics, except for emergency and humanitarian aid, should be conditioned on the establishment of democratically elected governments and respect for internationally recognized human rights; (5) foreign assistance should be provided directly to NK, for both Armenian and Azerbaijani communities, through the assistance of impartial international organizations; (6) the human rights provisions of the September 23, 1991 communique negotiated at Zheleznovodsk between the Governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan should be fulfilled without delay by the parties; and (7) the U.S. Government should support and encourage the objectives of this resolution by all appropriate means.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1992
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the President, the member countries of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), the participants of the Middle East Peace Conference, and the international community in general should use the international sanction of condemnation to prevent the delivery of SCUD missiles and missile-related technology to Syria by the North Korean merchant ship Dae Hung Ho; and (2) Syria should demonstrate its desire for peace and acceptance of Israel's right to exist by terminating its agreement with North Korea for such delivery.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1992
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to make grants to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority for constructing wastewater treatment works for areas served by the Authority. Limits the Federal share of such grants to 75 percent of construction costs. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1992
Bank and Thrift Disclosure Act of 1992 - Requires each appropriate banking agency to disclose to the public the reports of all examinations of each failed depository institution performed during the five-year period preceding its transfer, failure, or receipt of certain Federal depository insurance (or other Federal "bail-out" funds). Limits such disclosure requirement to an institution that received such funds while it was critically undercapitalized within the one-year period before its failure. Cites conditions under which public disclosure may be delayed because of threats to safety, soundness, or pending administrative, civil, or criminal investigations. Subjects a holding company of such a failed institution to the same public disclosure requirements, but excludes open institutions and affiliated solvent institutions. Mandates public disclosure of settlement agreements between the Resolution Trust Corporation or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and any other party with respect to certain failed depository institutions. Applies the public disclosure requirements of this Act to specified kinds of failed institutions. Shields certain identifying and customer information from the disclosure requirements. Requires the appropriate banking agencies to: (1) make public disclosures of loans by insiders (senior personnel and principal shareholders) who have defaulted on loans made by a failed institution; and (2) provide the public with periodic updates of pending and settled lawsuits brought by such agencies involving transactions that caused a material loss to either the failed depository institution or to the deposit insurance fund. Directs the Comptroller General to selectively audit examination reports and public disclosures made by the appropriate banking agencies to assess their compliance with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1992
Advanced Technologies Capital Consortium Act of 1992 - Mandates: (1) grants and loans to the Advanced Technologies Capital Consortium (ATCC) for research, development, application, and commercialization of critical technologies through grants, loans, and investments made by the ATCC to enterprises engaged in such activities; and (2) designation of a consortium of at least four private sector enterprises, academic institutions, foundations, and State and local governments as the ATCC. Establishes the Advisory Committee on Federal Participation in the Advanced Technology Capital Consortium. Limits to a specified percentage of the total asset value of a company the aggregate amount of loans and investments by the ATCC to that company. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1992
Investment Adviser Oversight Act of 1992 - Amends the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to authorize the Securities and Exchange Commission to establish fees to recover the costs of enhanced supervision and regulation of investment advisers and their activities. Provides that such fees shall be paid by such advisers at the time of filing an application for registration. Authorizes the Commission to require, by rule, an adviser to file any required fee, application, report, or notice through any person the Commission designates. Prohibits investment advisers from giving investment advice other than in connection with impersonal advisory services, unless the adviser has reasonably determined such advice to be suitable based upon the client's financial situation and experience. Authorizes the Commission to require by rule that registered advisers be bonded against larceny and embezzlement.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1992
Appropriations Category Reform Act of 1992 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to revise the discretionary spending limit for FY 1993 by merging the defense and domestic categories into a national category. Makes conforming changes to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act).
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.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1992
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should urge the Government of the United Kingdom to address the continuing human rights violations in Northern Ireland and should seek the initiation of talks, under appropriate international supervision, among all parties involved in the conflict to find a lasting and equitable solution.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1992
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to make grants to the State of Massachusetts for use by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority for constructing wastewater treatment works for areas served by the Authority. Limits the Federal share of such grants to 75 percent of construction costs. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1992
Taxpayer Bill of Rights 2 - Title I: Taxpayers Advocate - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish in the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) the Office of Taxpayer Advocate, headed by the Taxpayer Advocate, appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Requires the Office to: (1) assist taxpayers in resolving problems with the IRS; (2) identify areas in which taxpayers have problems in dealings with the IRS; (3) propose changes in the administrative practices of the IRS to mitigate such problems; and (4) identify potential legislative changes which may be appropriate to mitigate such problems. Requires the Taxpayer Advocate to annually report to specified congressional committees on Office activities. Requires the Commissioner of Internal Revenue to establish procedures requiring a formal response to all recommendations submitted to the Commissioner by the Taxpayer Advocate. Replaces the Office of the Ombudsman with the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate. Revises the terms of a Taxpayer Assistance Order to: (1) assist a taxpayer suffering a hardship (currently, a significant hardship); (2) allow the Order to require the Secretary of the Treasury to act within a specified time period; and (3) require the Secretary to take certain actions (currently, only to cease or refrain from taking certain actions). Title II: Modifications to Installment Agreement Provisions - Grants certain taxpayers the right to an installment agreement for the payment of tax liability less than $10,000. Requires prior notification to taxpayers under an installment agreement to pay tax liability before altering, modifying, or terminating such an agreement. Provides for administrative review of denials of requests for installment agreements. Suspends the failure to pay penalty during any period an installment agreement is in effect. Title III: Interest - Requires the abatement of interest in the case of an assessment due to the unreasonable error or delay of an IRS act. Extends from ten to 21 days the period for which interest will not be imposed after notice and demand for payment, if such payment is less than $100,000. Increases the interest rate for overpayment of tax from two percent to three percent (making such rate equal to the interest rate for underpayment of tax). Title IV: Joint Returns - Requires separate deficiency notices in the case of a joint income tax return if the most recent data available to the IRS shows that such spouses did not file a joint return with each other. Allows the disclosure of collection activities to an individual requesting such information in the case of a joint return where such individual is no longer married to or resides in the same household as the other joint filer. Removes limitation on filing a joint return after filing separate returns. Provides that in the case of an examination of an individual with respect to a joint income tax return, the absent divorced or separated spouse cannot be represented by the individual without such acknowledgement in writing. Title V: Collection Activities - Requires the Secretary to send notices of a proposed tax deficiency. Authorizes the Secretary, in certain cases, to: (1) withdraw a notice of a lien; (2) return property that has been levied upon; and (3) offer compromises in civil or criminal cases. Requires the Secretary, at the request of the taxpayer, to make reasonable efforts to notify credit reporting agencies and financial institutions of such withdrawal notice. Requires prior notification to the taxpayer that the taxpayer is under examination and an explanation of the process. Removes certain limits on the standard of conduct and the dollar limit on the recovery of civil damages for unauthorized collection actions. Revises provisions with respect to a designated summons concerning the standard of review, requirements for issuance, and quash proceedings. Title VI: Information Returns - Requires payee statements to provide the phone number of the person providing payment. Establishes civil damages for the fraudulent filing of information returns. Requires the Secretary to make reasonable investigations to corroborate the accuracy of an information return when making a determination of a deficiency by a third party, when such return is disputed by the taxpayer. Title VII: Modifications to Penalty for Failure to Collect and Pay Over Tax - Establishes requirements for preliminary notice and declaratory judgment proceedings for failure to pay tax. Authorizes the Secretary to disclose certain information where more than one person is liable for a penalty. Declares that a person shall not be liable for any penalty for failure to collect and pay over tax if such person: (1) is not a significant owner or highly compensated employee of the trade or business; (2) notifies the Secretary within ten days after such failure; and (3) such notification was before any notice by the Secretary with respect to such failure. Directs the Secretary to ensure that IRS employees are aware of their responsibilities under the tax depository system, the circumstances under which they may be liable for penalties, and reporting responsibilities. Exempts unpaid, volunteer board members of tax-exempt organizations from collection penalties. Title VIII: Awarding of Costs and Certain Fees - Repeals the "substantially justified" test for determining whether a taxpayer may recover costs and fees incurred as part of an administrative or court proceeding. Denies such costs where the position of the United States is substantially justified. Revises the commencement date of reasonable administrative costs. Increases the limit on attorney fees. Provides that any failure to agree to an extension of time for the assessment of any tax shall not be taken into account in determining whether a prevailing party has exhausted all administrative remedies. Title IX: Other Provisions - Revises provisions on the required content of tax due, deficiency, and other notices. Provides protection for noncorporate taxpayers who rely on certain guidance published by the IRS. Requires any final, temporary, or proposed regulation issued by the Secretary to be applied prospectively from the date of publication in the Federal Register. Requires notice to the taxpayer of the inability to associate any payment with any outstanding tax liability. Makes the costs of preparing certain tax returns fully deductible.