United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1991
Partnerships for Wildlife Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish the Wildlife Conservation and Appreciation Fund to provide financial assistance to designated State agencies in carrying out fish and wildlife conservation and appreciation projects which meet certain eligibility standards. Places limits on such Federal assistance. Prohibits designated State agencies from being eligible to receive matching funds from the Fund if such agency diverts revenue from activities it regulates for any purpose other than the management and conservation of fish and wildlife. Prohibits Fund amounts from being provided to assist a State in carrying out such a project unless the amount appropriated to the Fund has been matched wholly by a contribution made to the Fund by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1991
World Cup USA 1994 Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue a specified number of five-dollar gold coins, one-dollar silver coins, and half-dollar clad coins in commemoration of the 1994 World Cup and the unique appeal of soccer. Sets forth certain features of such coins and provides for their design, issuance, and sale. Requires that all sales include a surcharge of $35 per coin for the five-dollar coins, $7 per coin for the one-dollar coins, and $1 per coin for the half-dollar coins. Requires that all surcharges be paid to the Organizing Committee to organize and stage the 1994 World Cup. Requires that ten percent of such funds shall be made available through the U.S. Soccer Federation Foundation, Inc., for distribution to institutions for scholastic scholarships to qualified students.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1991
Benjamin Franklin Memorial Fire Service Bill of Rights Act - Title I: Minting of Benjamin Franklin National Memorial Commemorative Coin - Benjamin Franklin National Memorial Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue: (1) five dollar gold coins emblematic of Benjamin Franklin's contributions to the advancement of science; (2) one dollar silver coins emblematic of Benjamin Franklin's contributions to the American Fire Service. Sets forth sale and issuance guidelines, including a general waiver of procurement regulations and surcharge distributions. Title II: Fire Service Bill of Rights - Fire Service Bill of Rights Act - Amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to set forth a fire service bill of rights, including the right of responding fire services to: (1) know the kind of danger presented by hazardous materials they face in emergency responses; and (2) be fully informed of infectious diseases their members face during the course of life safety activities. Declares that the bill of rights does not create any private right of action.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1991
Authorizes the use of the rotunda of the Capitol by the National League of POW/MIA Families on July 13, 1991, for a ceremony to honor the POWs and MIAs of the Vietnam conflict.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1991
Small Business Economic Opportunity Enhancement Act of 1991 - Amends the Small Business Act to establish a five-year microloan demonstration program to: (1) make direct loans to intermediaries (such as community development corporations) for short-term loans to eligible small businesses; and (2) make grants to intermediaries for marketing, management, and technical assistance to small business borrowers.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1991
United States Law and Business Training Program for Soviet Graduate Students Act - Directs the President, acting through the U.S. Information Agency, to provide scholarships for study at U.S. institutions of higher education, coupled with private and public internships, by nationals of the Soviet Union who have completed their undergraduate education and could not otherwise study in the United States. Provides that such scholarships shall be in the form of loans, with repayment to be forgiven: (1) entirely, upon the student's prompt return to the Soviet Union for a period at least one year longer than that of U.S. study; or (2) by one-half, if the student is granted asylum in or is admitted as a refugee to the United States. Sets forth scholarship program guidelines. Limits scholarship opportunities to fields that are critical to economic and political reforms in the Soviet Union, particularly business administration, economics, law, or public administration. Authorizes appropriations to the U.S. Information Agency for FY 1992 and 1993 to carry out this Act. Provides that any authority provided by this Act shall be effective only to the extent or in such amounts as are provided in advance in appropriations Acts.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1991
Shipbuilding and Repair Industry Free Trade Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to annually determine and publish the net shipbuilding and repair subsidy provided, directly and indirectly, to each major shipbuilding and repair company in foreign countries meeting certain requirements. Requires the information submitted to the Secretary in connection with the determinations to be treated as proprietary if it meets certain requirements of the Tariff Act of 1930. Requires each company to repay to its government the total value of the aggregate subsidy provided, plus interest. Directs the Secretary to: (1) require certification from both the company and the foreign government that the payments have occurred; and (2) if requested, verify the repayment. Directs the Secretary, if a company has not complied, to direct the Commandant of the Coast Guard to collect an annual assessment on each vessel constructed or repaired by the company. Sets the amount of the assessment at the amount of the net subsidy, adjusted by partial repayments and increased by any previous unpaid assessment. Prohibits a vessel from entering a U.S. port until the assessment is paid in full. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to provide for the judicial review of subsidy assessment determinations by the U.S. Court of International Trade.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1991
United States-China Act of 1991 - Prohibits the extension for a 12-month period beginning July 3, 1992, of nondiscriminatory treatment (most-favored-nation treatment) to China under the Trade Act of 1974, unless the President submits to the Congress a specified report stating that China has: (1) accounted for and released prisoners who have been detained and imprisoned as a result of the nonviolent expression of their political beliefs; (2) ceased exporting to the United States products manufactured by convict or forced labor; (3) ceased the supply of military arms to the Khmer Rouge; and (4) adhered to the Joint Declaration with the United Kingdom on Hong Kong. Requires such report to state whether China has made significant progress in: (1) engaging in high-level discussions on human rights issues; (2) preventing gross violations of such rights (including in Tibet); (3) terminating harassment of Chinese citizens in the United States; (4) ensuring access of international human rights monitoring groups to prisoners; (5) providing protection of U.S. intellectual property rights; (6) providing U.S. exporters access to Chinese markets by lowering tariffs, removing nontariff barriers, and increasing the purchase of U.S. goods and services; and (7) adopting a national policy consistent with specified missile, nuclear, and chemical and biological control agreements. Terminates most-favored-nation trade status for China unless the President certifies to the Congress that it has not transferred ballistic missiles or missile launchers for the M-9 or M-11 weapon systems to Syria, Iran, or Pakistan. Requires the President, if he determines such transfers to have occurrred, to: (1) notify the Congress; and (2) terminate most-favored-nation treatment for Chinese products.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1991
Approves the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment (most-favored-nation treatment) to the products of Bulgaria transmitted to the Congress by the President on June 25, 1991.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1991
Approves the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment (most-favored-nation treatment) to the products of Mongolia transmitted to the Congress by the President on June 25, 1991.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1991
World Climate Convention Observer Group Resolution - Reconstitutes and reauthorizes the Senate World Climate Convention Observer Group to monitor the World Climate Convention process. Requires that all foreign travel of the Observer Group be authorized jointly by the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate, and upon the recommendation of both the Chairman and Co-Chairman of the Group. Authorizes the Majority Leader or the Minority Leader to designate one other Senator of his party who is not a member of the Group to travel and participate in its activities in his stead, if such Leader does not travel on an official trip of the Group. Terminates this Act on July 31, 1992. Rescinds the force and effect of S.Res. 110 (102d Congress).
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1991
Federal Technology Strategy Act of 1991 - Amends the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 to direct the President to develop Federal technology development plans for specified areas of technology and identify national needs in those areas. Requires that the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy serve as the lead Federal official for preparation of the plans. Designates the Department of Commerce as the lead civilian agency and the Department of Defense as the lead defense agency. Requires that the Director review the budget of each department and agency, in the context of the plans, before submission. Requires that the Director summarize Federal funding proposed for each of the critical technologies or groups of technologies identified in the most recent biennial critical technologies report. Requires Federal agencies, as appropriate, to support: (1) industry-led projects to develop new generic enabling technologies; and (2) collaboration with State and industry to accelerate commercialization and use of new advanced technologies. Requires each Federal research and development agency to provide funds to support activities under the Advanced Technology Program. Prohibits Federal departments and agencies and any organization in the United States which receives Federal research and development funding from participating in or assisting any technology development project that is operated by or receives funds from a foreign government with which the U.S. Government has a science and technology agreement unless the participation is approved in advance by the Director or the Secretary of Commerce. Authorizes banning violators from receiving Federal research assistance for two years. Requires, when such approval has been obtained, that any Federal department or agency channel funding through U.S.-based joint research and development ventures. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to report to the Congress on actions that can be taken by private industry, the States, and the Federal Government to increase private investment in: (1) the development and production of new commercial technologies; and (2) the use and application of advanced manufacturing and process technologies.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1991
National Critical Technologies Act of 1991 - Title I: Federal Management of National Critical Technologies - Amends the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 to direct the President, through the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology, to develop and submit to the Congress, at least once every two years, a strategic road map, covering at least four years after the year in which it is issued, for each national critical technology. Specifies the required contents of each map, including: (1) assessing current U.S. strengths and weaknesses in developing and applying the covered technologies; (2) specifying goals and priorities in enhancing development or application; (3) increasing access to foreign technology; and (4) identifying feasible joint actions of Federal departments and agencies. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish one or more critical technologies advisory committees to advise the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology (Coordinating Council) and review each map. Requires that the Coordinating Council: (1) serve as the lead Federal agency for development of the maps and interagency coordination of map-related activities; (2) review the Federal budget prior to submission and submit review results to the Executive Office of the President. Title II: Federal Support for Development of Critical Technologies - Part A: Department of Defense - Directs the Secretary of Defense to enter into cooperative arrangements, each known as a Defense Dual-Use Technology Partnership, to encourage and provide for research and development of dual-use critical technologies identified in the annual defense critical technologies plan mandated by current law. Amends Federal law to authorize the Secretary of Defense, in carrying out advanced research projects through the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) or a military department (currently, through DARPA), to enter into cooperative agreements and other transactions with any entity. Allows the Secretary to authorize the Secretary of the military department concerned to enter into such transactions. Repeals provisions terminating, on a specified date, the Secretary's authority to enter into such agreements. Sets forth special rules for applying existing provisions (relating to payments by the Department of Defense of independent research development costs) to a specified portion of costs attributable to participation in critical technology research and development consortia meeting certain requirements. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the Partnership provisions. Part B: Other Departments and Agencies - Directs the Secretary of Commerce, through the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology acting under the Advanced Technology Program, to continue to support the activities of U.S. industry and joint ventures associated with applications of national critical technologies. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of Energy to enter into cooperative arrangements, each known as a Department of Energy Critical Technology Partnership, for research and development of critical technologies selected by the Secretary, with each Partnership required to be composed of at least two eligible firms and at least one Department of Energy (DOE) laboratory. Allows other participants. Mandates similar Critical Technology Partnerships within the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Authorizes appropriations separately for DOE, NASA, and HHS. Part C: Administrative Provisions Relating to Critical Technology Partnerships - Requires that the participants in each Partnership designate a lead institution to direct Partnership activities. Requires: (1) non-Federal participants to contribute at least half of the total Partnership cost; and (2) Partnership selection to be made through a competitive process using specified criteria. Allows an agreement establishing a Partnership to include a requirement that a participant make payments to the department or agency establishing the Partnership. Protects trade secrets and information that is privileged or confidential. Part D: Additional Definitions - Sets forth definitions applicable to this title. Title III: Critical Technology Application Centers - Amends Federal law to direct the Secretary of Defense to conduct the Critical Technology Application Centers Assistance Program, to assist regional critical technology application centers. Requires a center to: (1) include eligible firms conducting business in the region; and (2) be sponsored by an agency connected in one of specified ways to State or local governments. Declares the purpose of a center to be to facilitate the use of national critical technologies for commercial purposes to enhance the development and economic sustainability of the capability of an industry of the region to compete internationally and, in the case of military applications, thereby to maintain industrial capabilities vital to national security. Allows center activities to include: (1) joint research and development; (2) proprietary research and development (limited to a specified percentage of center costs); and (3) sharing of information, equipment, personnel, and expertise. Authorizes the Secretary to provide to a center financial assistance (limited to 30 percent of costs) and technical assistance for up to six years. Prohibits financial assistance for construction. Requires the sponsoring agency to pay at least 30 percent and participating firms to pay at least 40 percent of center costs. Requires that non-Federal participants pay the total costs for proprietary research and development. Requires assistance to be awarded under a competitive process according to specified criteria. Directs the Secretary of Defense to appoint a panel to evaluate the activities of each center receiving financial assistance. Prohibits further assistance to a center if the panel determines that the center's activities are not consistent with center purposes as specified in this Act. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Defense and Commerce to carry out the Program. Title IV: Foreign Technology Monitoring and Assessment - Requires the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology to: (1) coordinate Federal monitoring of foreign technology developments; (2) facilitate joint foreign science and technology monitoring and assessment efforts of Federal departments and agencies; and (3) establish strategic goals and priorities for the clearinghouses established by this title. Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to establish in the Office of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology the Clearinghouse of Foreign Commercial Technology Monitoring and Assessment (Commerce Clearinghouse) to serve as the lead Federal agency for the compilation and dissemination of unclassified information and assessments on foreign research, development, and application of commercial critical technologies. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a merit-based foreign critical technology monitoring and assessment grant program for the establishment of foreign critical technology monitoring and assessment offices in Europe and on the Pacific Rim Area. Limits support for an office to six years and 50 percent of operating and capital costs. Requires each office to disseminate its assessments to the Commerce Clearinghouse. Authorizes appropriations. Amends Federal law to declare that there is, in the Office of the Director of Defense Research and Engineering, the Clearinghouse of Foreign Defense Technology Monitoring and Assessment (Defense Clearinghouse). Includes among Defense Clearinghouse responsibilities: (1) creating unclassified and classified data bases; and (2) ensuring maximum public availability of information in those data bases through limiting restrictive classification and through disseminating information to the Commerce Clearinghouse. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes making available to the National Science Foundation, for support of the assessment of foreign capabilities in critical technologies, specified sums from the amounts authorized by this Act for the Commerce and Defense Clearinghouses.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1991
Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act - Makes it unlawful for any licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer to sell, deliver, or transfer a handgun to an unlicensed individual unless: (1) after the most recent proposal of such transfer by the individual, the transferor has received a statement of eligibility from the individual, has notified the chief law enforcement officer for such individual's place of residence about the proposed transfer, and either has received a response indicating that such transfer is not prohibited by law or has not received a response indicating otherwise within seven days; (2) the individual has presented to the transferor a statement from the officer, issued in the past ten days, that the individual requires a handgun because of a threat to him or his family; (3) the individual has presented to the transferor a permit to possess a handgun that has been issued in the past five years by the State in which the transfer is to take place under a State law which requires law enforcement verification of the individual's legal qualification to possess a handgun; (4) State law either requires a waiting period of at least seven days or requires that an authorized government official verifies that the information available to such official does not indicate that possession of a handgun by the purchaser would be unlawful; or (5) the transferor has received a report from any system of felon identification established by the Attorney General under the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 that the individual's possession or receipt of the handgun would not violate Federal, State, or local law. Requires the statement of eligibility to include a statement that the individual: (1) is not under indictment for and has not been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year; (2) is not a fugitive; (3) is not an unlawful user of, or addicted to, a controlled substance; (4) has not been adjudicated as a mental defective or committed to a mental institution; (5) is not an alien who is illegally in the United States; (6) has not been dishonorably discharged from the armed forces; and (7) is not a person who has renounced U.S. citizenship. Requires any transferor who, after a transfer, receives a report from such officer that receipt or possession of the handgun by the individual violates the law, to: (1) furnish information about the transfer and the individual to the chief law enforcement officer of the transferor's place of business and the individual's place of residence; and (2) keep confidential any information received which is not otherwise available to the public, with exceptions. Requires a transferor to retain a copy of the individual's statement. Requires the law enforcement officer to destroy any copy of the individual's sworn statement and any record containing information derived from such statement within 30 days, unless such officer determines that the transaction would violate Federal, State, or local law. Specifies that a chief law enforcement officer shall not be liable to any person for action taken by the officer to ascertain whether a transferee of a handgun has a criminal record or whether there is any other legal impediment to the transferee receiving a handgun under any Federal, State, or local law, except a law that specifically provides for such liability. Directs the Attorney General, to make a grant to an eligible State for the creation of a computerized criminal history record system or improvement of an existing system and to defray the cost to State and local law enforcement agencies in conducting background checks on prospective handgun purchasers. Sets forth a formula for allocating grant funds among States. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1991
HealthAmerica: Affordable Health Care for All Americans Act - HealthAmerica Act - Title I: Amendments to Public Health Service Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to create a new title on basic health benefits for employees and their families. Requires each employer, with regard to each of its full-time employees and their families, and allows an employer, with regard to all of its part-time employees and their families, to: (1) enroll them in a health benefit plan under provisions of this Act; or (2) make a contribution for coverage of the employees and their families under the public health insurance plan added by this Act to the Social Security Act. Requires employers making a contribution to follow prescribed procedures to facilitate enrollment of its employees, including distributing and submitting enrollment forms and withholding and submitting payroll deductions. Requires, beginning seven years after enactment of this Act, that an individual seeking benefits under a Federal program certify possession of health insurance meeting minimum standards under this Act. Conditions claiming of a personal exemption deduction under the Internal Revenue Code on the individual filer certifying coverage meeting such standards. Title II: Requirements for Health Benefit Plans - Allows, except for provisions of title III of this Act relating to small and medium-sized business insurance, an employer to meet the requirements of this title through any health benefit plan. Exempts, in certain circumstances, employers in the State of Hawaii from the requirements of this title so long as the Hawaii Prepaid Health Care Act remains in effect. Requires that enrollment of an employee include enrollment of the employee's family and prohibits waiver of enrollment of the employee or the employee's family, subject to exception to avoid duplicate enrollment. Permits variations in premiums, deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance which are actuarially equivalent to the requirements in certain provisions of this title. Establishes an Advisory Board to develop actuarial equivalency standards and to deal with other matters concerning the administration of this title. Sets forth general requirements for plan coverage, including, subject to certain limitations, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, inpatient and outpatient physician services, diagnostic tests, prenatal and well-baby care, preventive services (limited to well child care, pap smears, and mammograms), and inpatient and outpatient mental disorder care. Prohibits limitations on the amount, scope, and duration of certain benefits. Allows such limitations on specified other benefits. Allows a plan to: (1) provide benefits through managed care systems; (2) select particular providers or types, classes, or categories of providers; and (3) establish different levels of payment for different providers. Allows an employer to establish a fee schedule or other basis for payment different from charges, provided the payment is sufficient to achieve adequate access to plan services without additional out-of-pocket expenses, but for permitted copayments and deductibles. Requires inpatient mental health care to include payment for professional services by a physician or a licensed or certified clinical psychologist. Requires plan coverage to include outpatient services by a licensed or certified clinical psychologist or a provider with training and education equivalent to a licensed clinical social worker. Mandates reports to the Congress regarding: (1) possible changes to the preventive services covered; and (2) the cost-effectiveness and desirability of coverage of colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, and osteoporosis screening and of coverage of outpatient prescription drugs. Specifies when plan coverage must begin in various circumstances. Prohibits preexisting condition limitations or exclusions. Allows a part-time employee who is charged an increased premium under specified provisions of this Act to waive enrollment. Requires the employer, in such case, to pay, under title V of this Act, the minimum amount the employer would have paid toward coverage if the employee had not waived enrollment. Requires continuation of employee or family coverage during a period of hospitalization. Permits a plan to require an enrollee to pay premiums, deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance amounts, subject in each case to certain limits. Limits out-of-pocket expenses. Mandates administration of certain requirements and standards of this title by the State agency designated by the State's chief executive officer. Requires certain notice to the employee, including plan contents, the availability of premium and cost-sharing subsidies, and employer failure to make premium payments. Provides for establishment of model plan language. Requires each plan to designate an individual to answer questions on the plan. Requires the State administering authority to assist employees regarding their rights under the plans. Provides for review of denied claims. Allows an employer to offer a nonmanaged care plan as well as a managed care plan. Allows an employee, if no unmanaged plan is offered, to use nonparticipating providers. Allows a plan to provide for cost-sharing of up to 200 percent of the normal or minimum plan if nonparticipating providers are used. Provides for a civil monetary penalty on an employer, up to a specified percentage of all wages paid by the employer for the year, for failure to comply with specified provisions of this Act. Requires penalties collected to be credited to the public health insurance plan established by this Act. Makes an employer that knowingly does not comply with specified provisions of this Act liable for damages, including health care costs, to the employee or the family of the employee. Allows the employee or family to bring a civil action to recover damages. Title III: Special Assistance for Small and Medium Sized Businesses - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to declare that certain provisions of ERISA supersede any State law relating to benefits under title II of this Act. Includes benefit plans under that title in the ERISA definitions of "employee welfare benefit plan" and "welfare plan." Subtitle A: Reform of Small Group Insurance - Amends the Public Health Service Act to create a new part, and amends (using similar language) the Social Security Act to create a new title, on group health insurance standards. Prohibits issuing a health benefit plan in a State, or offering a new contract under such a plan with respect to a small employer (defined as having fewer than 100 employees), unless the plan meets certain standards under this Act. Provides for: (1) complaints by individuals and entities respecting potential violations of certain requirements of this subtitle; (2) investigations and related procedures; and (3) enforcement, including cease and desist orders, civil monetary penalties, and orders to take other corrective action. Requires penalties collected to be credited to the AmeriCare Trust Fund. (Provides, in the amendments to the Social Security Act, but not in the amendments to the Public Health Service Act, for imposition on a carrier that is not in compliance with provisions of this subtitle of an excise tax, as provided in subtitle B of this title.) Directs the Secretary to request the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) to develop a model Act and model regulations to implement requirements of this subtitle. Requires establishment of a toll-free telephone number to: (1) handle consumer complaints or inquiries; and (2) provide information to small employers and consumers about carriers that offer plans in the area. Mandates periodic audits of State regulatory programs by the Comptroller General to determine compliance with provisions of this subtitle. Sets forth transitional provisions applicable only to plans offered to small employers during the first four years after the effective date of these provisions, including: (1) allowing, in certain circumstances, preexisting condition exclusion; and (2) requiring making available equivalent coverage during any waiting period before the individual may be covered by the plan. Requires carriers offering a plan to small employers to: (1) register with State regulatory authorities; and (2) offer the same plan to any other small employer in the community. Allows: (1) health maintenance organizations (HMOs) to have geographic and size limitations; and (2) carriers to require participation by a minimum percentage of employees. Requires, at the option of the business, plan renewability under the same terms as for issuance, except for rates and administrative changes. Regulates rate changes. Requires premiums for plans offered to small employers to be based on a single cohesive rating system applied consistently for all small employer groups and designed not to treat groups, after the fourth year after enactment of this Act, differently based on health status or risk status. Requires the lowest rate for plans with similar benefits within a block of business to be the same for all small employers. Limits the percentage by which the premium rate for the most expensive block of business may exceed the rate for the least expensive block of business. Allows limited variation in premium rates for: (1) different age and gender groups; and (2) employers who elect, under provisions of this Act, reimbursement under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. Requires plans offered to small employers to permit enrollment and compute premiums based on four specified beneficiary classes. Requires plans offered to small employers to: (1) cover all basic health services specified in title II of this Act; and (2) not impose cost-sharing in excess of that permitted by title II (with regard to the amendments to the Public Health Service Act) or in excess of that permitted by the Social Security Act, as amended by title VI of this Act (with regard to the amendments to the Social Security Act.) Requires the carrier, except HMOs, to offer to the small employer a plan that only provides basic services and maximum cost-sharing. Requires a carrier (other than an HMO or a reinsurance carrier) which offers a managed care plan to an employer that is not a small employer to make a managed care plan available to small employers in the same community. Requires the NAIC to develop a model to standardize benefits offered to small employers to promote consumer understanding and comparison among plans. Requires each carrier offering a plan to small employers under subtitle E (relating to payment for services at Medicare rates) of this title to offer the employer the option of having payment at rates no higher than the rates established by title II of this Act (with regard to the amendments to the Public Health Service Act) or by title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (with regard to the amendments to the Social Security Act). Applies, with regard to an employer who elects such option, the limits on charges that may be made under Medicare to individuals receiving benefits under the plan. (Applies, with regard to the amendments to the Social Security Act, the sanctions imposed under Medicare and title XI (general provisions and peer review) of the Social Security Act to violations of these limits.) Requires the NAIC to develop models of legislation for the enactment of health insurance policy reinsurance systems for use by States, including plans offered to small employers. Specifies three models which must be included. Requires any system enacted to provide for an adjustment in reinsurance premiums charged to HMOs that takes into account specified factors. Subtitle B: Tax Equity for Small and Medium-Sized Business - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow self-employed individuals to take a deduction for 100 percent of the cost of health insurance coverage for the individual and the individual's family under subtitle A of this title or under AmeriCare. (Current law allows a deduction of 25 percent of the cost of health insurance coverage.) Provides for a deduction for certain group health plan contributions for the benefit of self-employed individuals. Imposes an excise tax on an entity's violation of the Social Security Act, as amended by subtitle A of this title. Subtitle C: Opportunity for Voluntary Provision of Coverage - Prohibits requiring a medium-sized employer (defined as having between 25 and 100 employees) to provide a health benefit plan under title II of this Act or make a contribution under title V of this Act until the fifth calendar year after enactment of this Act. Ties application to medium-sized employers of the requirement to provide coverage or make a contribution to the number of uninsured employees of all such employers, during or after those four years, as compared to the number of such employees when this Act is enacted. Delays application to small employers of the requirement to provide coverage or make a contribution until the sixth calendar year after enactment of this Act. Ties application of the requirement to the change in the number of uninsured employees of small employers in the first five years. Subtitle D: Small Business Tax Credit - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an eligible small business (defined as having no more than 60 employees) a tax credit for a percentage of health plan expenses. Reduces the percentage as the number of employees increases and as the expanded profit ratio increases. Subtitle E: Additional Assistance to Small and Medium-Sized Businesses - Makes businesses with fewer than 100 employees that did not provide coverage in the year before enactment of this Act eligible to buy private coverage from a small or medium-sized business insurer under which health service providers are paid at rules based on Medicare rates. Allows a small employer that employs fewer than 25 employees and that has been an employer for not more than three years to: (1) not provide coverage or make a contribution for the first two years of being an employer; and (2) make a contribution at one-half the normal rate. Establishes a small and medium-sized business advisory committee. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Reducing Health Care Cost Inflation - Subtitle A: Outcomes Research and Practice Guideline Development and Dissemination - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Administrator for Health Care Policy and Research to: (1) develop an initial set of guidelines for at least three clinical treatments or conditions that account for a significant portion of national health expenditures, have a significant variation in treatment, or otherwise meet specified needs and priorities; and (2) develop outcomes research and practice parameters for mental health services, including regarding childhood attention deficit disorders and manic depression. Amends the Social Security Act to increase the authorization of appropriations to carry out provisions relating to research on outcomes of health care services and procedures. Modifies the percentages which are, during FY 1993 and 1994, to be appropriated from the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund. Subtitle B: Federal Health Expenditure Board - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish as an independent agency in the executive branch the Federal Health Expenditure Board. Amends the Public Health Service Act and, using similar language, the Social Security Act to require the Board to take specified actions, including: (1) developing national health care expenditure, access, and quality goals; (2) convening and overseeing negotiations between providers and purchasers to develop payment rates regarding those expenditure goals; (3) establishing recommended payment levels and other recommended measures; (4) developing State and regional goals; (5) establishing uniform billing and claim forms and mandatory reporting requirements; and (6) recommending rates, budgets, and other measures. Mandates that the Board require negotiations regarding physician and hospital care. Allows the Board to require negotiations concerning other health care sectors. Declares that the Board shall determine which individuals, organizations, and institutions are eligible for representation by negotiators. Sets forth procedures and requirements regarding approval of an organization or individual as a negotiator. Sets forth requirements regarding payment systems adopted for hospitals or physicians. Requires the Board, when negotiators for a sector fail to reach an agreement, to promulgate regulations recommending advisory rates and other matters to achieve the goals. Allows, with regard to the amendments to the Public Health Service Act, purchasers and providers to combine for the purpose of agreeing to pay or charge at the recommended rates. Allows, with regard to the amendments to the Social Security Act, purchasers to combine for such purpose. Makes a provider assessing or a purchaser paying rates other than those required: (1) ineligible for any assistance under the Public Health Service Act (with regard to the amendments to the Public Health Service Act) or for any assistance under the Social Security Act (with regard to the amendments to the Social Security Act); and (2) liable to the United States for a civil monetary penalty. Provides for temporary injunctive relief. Requires the Board to promulgate regulations recommending nonbinding rates for all Federal programs that reimburse providers on a fee, charge, or cost basis or charge third-party providers on such basis. Exempts from that requirement: (1) with regard to the amendments to the Public Health Service Act, programs under titles XVIII (Medicare), XIX (Medicaid), or XXI (AmeriCare) of the Social Security Act; and (2) with regard to the amendments to the Social Security Act, programs under such title XVIII. Prohibits, through the fifth fiscal year after enactment of these provisions, Federal payments from rising as a result of such rates. Allows a State consortium, with the approval of the Board, to establish an alternative payment system, rates and methods for achieving Board goals. Requires the Board to establish a system of uniform billing and reporting to enable the Board to determine the progress in meeting the goals, enable providers and purchasers to provide and obtain efficiently provided care, and reduce administrative costs of the health care system. Directs the Secretary to develop and implement methodologies that will measure the effectiveness of the health care service provided by health care providers. Amends Federal law to add members of the Board to the list of positions paid at levels III and IV of the Executive Schedule. Amends the Social Security Act to require the Board to make recommendations regarding hospital and physician services, including modifications of the prospective payment system and the physician payment system. Prohibits, through the fifth fiscal year after enactment of these provisions, the recommendations from increasing Federal payments. Subtitle C: State Purchasing Consortia - Amends the Public Health Service Act to mandate establishment in each State of a consortium open to all providers and purchasers of health insurance and health care in the State. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make a grant to each State for establishment and initial operation of the consortium. Amends the Public Health Service Act and, using similar language, the Social Security Act to set forth the mandatory consortium functions, including: (1) enrolling all small share health insurance companies in the State as consortium members; (2) establishing a claim payment fund and payment procedures, with the fund to be capitalized through public and private contributions and assessments by the consortium on such enrollees; (3) developing and using uniform billing and claim forms and procedures consistent with subtitle B of this title; and (4) attempting to reduce administrative costs and burdens on enrollees and providers through specified measures. Lists optional consortium functions, including: (1) permitting insurers with a large market share in a State to participate in the consortium; and (2) convening negotiations with providers, purchasers, and others on service availability, coverage and reimbursement levels, and claim submission and payment procedures. Exempts such negotiations, if authorized by the State, from Federal anti-trust laws. Declares that the Consumer Product Safety Act and other Federal consumer protection laws apply to the mandatory consortium functions. Allows States to enter into an agreement for the establishment of a regional consortium. Declares that a State that fails to comply with the requirements regarding consortia shall be ineligible: (1) with regard to the amendments to the Public Health Service Act, to receive assistance under that Act; and (2) with regard to the amendments to the Social Security Act, to receive payments to States under provisions of that Act, as amended by title VI of this Act. Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations to carry out provisions relating to the consortia. Subtitle D: Cost Control Grant Program - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize grants and contracts for the development, demonstration, and evaluation of innovative methods for reducing health care costs. Provides for the establishment of a clearinghouse and other activities to disseminate information on successful health care cost control methods. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle E: Malpractice Reform - Authorizes grants to States for programs for medical malpractice reforms. Requires programs receiving grants to include alternative dispute resolution methods. Allows the programs to include medical practice guidelines. Requires a grant to be either: (1) a planning grant, for up to two years; or (2) an operational grant, for up to five years. Authorizes appropriations. Provides for the collection and analysis of data and issues related to: (1) ineffective or unnecessary testing; (2) the occurrence of malpractice and malpractice awards; (3) licensing and disciplining; and (4) malpractice insurance. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle F: Reducing the Administrative Cost of Assuring Appropriate Utilization of Health Care Services and Improving the Quality of Health Care Services - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to contract with the quality improvement board in each State to review the quality of health care provided by professionals and institutions in the State and to establish mechanisms to encourage continuous quality improvement. Amends the Public Health Service Act and, using similar language, the Social Security Act to set forth board duties, including: (1) adopting practice guidelines and quality improvement guidelines; (2) recommending continuous quality improvement measures; (3) reviewing provider performance, with the board allowed to certify a provider as an outstanding provider; and (4) data collection. Prohibits a plan from: (1) denying payment for any service performed or ordered by a provider certified as outstanding; and (2) denying coverage on the basis that the service is not medically necessary. Authorizes planning grants to facilitate the establishment of a board in each State. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle G: Use of Practice Guidelines in Federal Health Insurance and Service Programs - Requires that clinical guidelines developed under existing provisions of the Public Health Service Act relating to the Forum for Quality and Effectiveness in Health Care be used in Federal health insurance programs as utilization review screens and as practice guidelines in Federal programs providing health care services. Subtitle H: National Standards for the Promotion of Managed Care - Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit any State law or regulation from: (1) prohibiting a managed care plan from selecting providers, or the type of providers, as the participating providers; or (2) limiting the ability of a managed care entity to negotiate, make contracts or establish alternative rates or forms of payment for participating providers, or require or provide incentives to promote the use of participating providers. Allows, notwithstanding any State law, an entity to offer utilization review services, provided certain procedures are established. Makes the applicable State regulatory authority (or, in certain circumstances, the Secretary of Health and Human Services) responsible for certifying, for the Public Health Service Act and the Social Security Act, whether a plan is a managed care plan. Prohibits making amounts available to a State under the Public Health Service Act unless the State is in compliance with this requirement. Deems a State, unless the State's chief executive officer otherwise indicates, to have elected to comply. Limits State regulation of certain actions by managed care plans. Provides for the establishment of Federal standards for utilization review programs of health benefit plans. Preempts inconsistent State laws or regulations. Subtitle I: Expansion of Technology Assessment - Requires the Administrator for Health Care Policy and Research to focus on expanding and applying assessments of existing health care technologies, to be achieved in part through an evaluation of services provided to individuals through publicly and privately funded sources. Mandates a program of contracts and cooperative agreements for the establishment of public-private partnerships to undertake technology assessment and related activities in the private sector. Title V: Contribution by Employers Not Providing Private Health Coverage - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the percentage of wages which must be paid by employers who elect, under provisions of this Act, to pay a contribution rather than provide a health benefit plan covering their employees. Provides for setting, by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, of that percentage at a level that reflects the cost of coverage of no more than 65 percent of those employees under provisions of the Social Security Act (as amended by this Act) and at least 35 percent covered under provisions of the Public Health Service (as amended by this Act). Title VI: Assuring Provision of Health Benefits to All Americans - Amends the Social Security Act to create a new title on "AmeriCare," under which a State is required to provide basic health benefits described in this title to: (1) any child or pregnant woman without other nongovernmental health coverage by the second year after enactment of this title; (2) any employee or family member for whom an employer makes a contribution under title V of this Act by the second year after enactment of this title; and (3) any individual not covered by a plan under title II of this Act by the seventh year after enactment of this title. Sets forth other requirements on States for participation in AmeriCare. Entitles each individual not otherwise covered under a health benefit plan under title II of this Act to basic health benefits under AmeriCare. Allows each State to require that employers collect AmeriCare premiums on behalf of the employer's employees. Requires basic benefits to include inpatient and outpatient hospital care, inpatient and outpatient physician services, diagnostic tests, prenatal and well-baby care, preventive services (limited to well child care, pap smears, and mammograms), inpatient and outpatient mental disorder care, and certain items and services described under existing provisions of title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act relating to early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment for children under the age of 21. Requires, subject to exception, the basic health benefits with respect to special eligibility individuals to include medical assistance in the State's plan under Medicaid. Allows a State to provide, but prohibits Federal payment for, coverage beyond basic benefits. Prohibits imposing premiums, deductibles, or other cost-sharing on an individual in an under-poverty family. Sets varying limits on premiums, deductibles, and other cost sharing for individuals in families whose income is specified percentages over the poverty line. Provides for the premium levels of employees whose employer elects, in lieu of providing a health benefit plan, to make a contribution under title V of this Act. Allows States to compute premiums separately for four specified combinations of individual, spouse, and child coverage. Limits deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket expenses. Declares ineligible for AmeriCare benefits an individual who is enrolled in a health plan under title II of this Act, except that AmeriCare is required to pay, with respect to an individual covered by a plan or whose employer makes a contribution under title V of this Act, for: (1) premiums, deductibles, and other cost-sharing for an individual in an under-poverty family; and (2) a specified percentage of premiums, deductibles, and other cost-sharing for an individual in a near-poverty family. Requires that an individual receive advanced payment of supplemental premium payments for the calendar year from AmeriCare. Disqualifies all family members from the supplemental payments if a required family income statement is not filed by a specified deadline. Requires payment under AmeriCare to be: (1) on the same basis as under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, adjusted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to take into account differences between the population served under Medicare and the population served by AmeriCare or title II of this Act; (2) according to an alternative payment system provided for by a State, if the State meets in the aggregate for all health care providers in the State the requirements for national reimbursement levels described in these provisions; or (3) under Medicare rates phased-in over specified periods. Prohibits administrative or judicial review of the payment rates or rules, including adjustments, under these provisions. Allows a State to contract for the design and implementation of innovative systems of health care delivery and administrative systems that meet the standards of the AmeriCare title. Requires each State, as part of AmeriCare, to offer managed care plans, selected competitively, in which an individual eligible under AmeriCare may enroll. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish demonstration projects to enable States that submit an approved application to implement cost management initiatives that promote the effective furnishing of care. Specifies initiatives required to be included. Allows the Secretary to provide that a State plan for AmeriCare may include payment for services described in existing provisions of title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act relating to home or community-based services. Provides for the administration of AmeriCare in each State, directly or by contract: (1) by that State; (2) at the election of the State and with the approval of the Secretary, by the Secretary; or (3) by a regional administration with other States approved by the Secretary. Provides for review of denied claims and other administrative matters. Mandates a quarterly Federal payment to each State with an approved AmeriCare plan for the Federal share of the expenditures for benefits, supplemental payments, and administrative expenses. Sets the State share of expenses at 80 percent of the State percentage under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act during the second year after enactment of this Act and increases that percentage until 100 percent of the State medicaid percentage is reached in the seventh year after enactment. Establishes in the Treasury the AmeriCare Trust Fund consisting of such gifts and bequests as may be made and amounts credited to the Fund. Appropriates to the Fund the amounts received from: (1) contributions by employers under title V of this Act in lieu of health plan coverage; (2) AmeriCare premiums collected by employers on behalf of employees; (3) penalties collected for employment discrimination based on family status and the requirement to enroll a spouse or child; and (4) penalties collected for failure of an employer to either provide coverage or make a title V contribution. Authorizes appropriations to the Fund as required to make certain expenditures from the Fund. Authorizes and appropriates from the Fund each fiscal year a sum sufficient to carry out the purpose of the AmeriCare title, to be used for making payments to States with approved plans for benefits, supplemental payments, and administrative expenses. Requires amounts received in the Fund to be allotted to each State on the basis of amounts received in the Fund with respect to employees residing in the State. Make amounts in the Fund available, as provided in appropriations Acts, for the expenses of administering the AmeriCare title. Provides for review of AmeriCare programs by utilization and quality control peer review organizations in a similar manner as provided under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop: (1) recommendations for the calculation of a specific Federal insurance assistance percentage applicable to coverage furnished under AmeriCare; and (2) recommendations for the creation of an emergency fund to fund certain benefits under AmeriCare in the event a State experiences changes in economic conditions or other conditions necessitating emergency funding. Mandates a reduction (by one quarter after the second year after enactment of this Act and by one half after the seventh year after enactment of this Act) in the Medicare disproportionate share adjustment percentage, subject to exception for hospitals receiving, under title VI of this Act, less that 200 percent of the reduction. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to prohibit the provision of medical assistance under Medicaid to any individual eligible for AmeriCare. Provides for an annual increase in the Medicaid cap on payments to territories based on the percentage increase in the total Federal program costs of AmeriCare over such costs of Medicaid in the year preceding the effective date of this Act. Title VII: Development of Health Service Capacity - Amends the Public Health Service Act to mandate grants to entities that do or will meet requirements relating to migrant or community health centers to expand the availability of comprehensive primary health services in medically underserved or high impact areas. Sets forth priorities in making the grants, including that the amounts be used to provide services in areas with the greatest need and in which demand can be expected to increase after implementation of this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Title VIII: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective dates of specified provisions of this Act. Declares that, after enactment of this Act, no employer shall be required under title II of this Act to provide any health benefit in addition to the benefits required under specified provisions of title II, as in effect on the date of enactment, unless: (1) the additional benefit is for a service that AmeriCare plans are required to cover; and (2) before enactment of such requirement, the benefits and costs have been analyzed and considered by the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1991
Designates August 1, 1991, as Helsinki Human Rights Day. Authorizes and requests the President to: (1) reassert American commitment to the Helsinki Accords; (2) raise the issue of noncompliance with such Accords with any signatory nation which may be in violation; (3) convey to all signatories of such Accords that respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms is vital to progress in the ongoing Helsinki process; and (4) develop new proposals to advance the human rights objectives of the Helsinki process, including the self-determination of peoples.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1991
Amends rule XXV of the Standing Rules of the Senate to increase membership on the following Senate committees: (1) Environment and Public Works; (2) Foreign Relations; (3) Governmental Affairs; and (4) Small Business.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1991
Family Planning Amendments of 1991 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require family planning projects under existing provisions to offer adoption referral services. Removes provisions authorizing a reduction in grant amounts by the value of supplies or equipment furnished. Authorizes appropriations for the projects. Repeals provisions authorizing formula grants to States for family planning services. Replaces provisions authorizing grants and contracts for training personnel to carry out the family planning projects with provisions authorizing grants and contracts for technical assistance, clinical training for personnel, training for educators and counselors, and training of other personnel to carry out the family planning projects and information and education programs. Authorizes appropriations. Allows grants and contracts for research on contraceptive development to be used: (1) for contraceptive evaluation; and (2) to improve the clinical management and direct delivery of family planning services. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct, and make grants and contracts for the conduct of: (1) applied research into the development of new or improved contraceptive devices, drugs, and methods; and (2) evaluations of the acceptance, convenience, safety, efficacy, and cost of contraceptive devices, drugs, and methods. Authorizes appropriations. Replaces provisions authorizing grants and contracts for developing and making available family planning and population growth information to all persons desiring such information with provisions authorizing grants or contracts to establish community-based information and education programs to assist individuals in making responsible choices concerning human sexuality, pregnancy, and parenthood, and to enable individuals to prevent unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct, or make grants and contracts for the conduct of, training and technical assistance activities to assist in carrying out the information and education programs; and (2) make grants and contracts for the development, evaluation, and dissemination of educational and informational materials. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to annually collect data on: (1) the numbers of low- and moderate-income individuals and adolescents at risk of unintended pregnancies; (2) the sources of funding for family planning services; and (3) the number of individuals who receive family planning services from grantees and contractees under certain provisions amended by this Act and the types of services chosen by those individuals. Authorizes grants and contracts for the collection of the data. Requires the data to be: (1) made public; and (2) included in an annual report to the Congress, mandated by current law, on family planning and population research. Requires that all grantees under the title of the Public Health Service Act relating to population research and family planning provide education to patients concerning self breast examinations. Requires that projects receiving assistance under such title offer pregnant women information and counseling concerning all legal and medical options regarding their pregnancies. Requires that women requesting such information be provided with nondirective counseling, and referral on request, concerning alternative courses of action, including: (1) prenatal care and delivery; (2) infant care, foster care, or adoption services; and (3) pregnancy termination.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1991
Urges the Government of Iran to extend to the Baha'i community the rights guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international agreements to which Iran is a party. Calls upon the President to continue to: (1) urge the Government of Iran to emancipate the Baha'i community by granting such rights; (2) emphasize that the United States regards the human rights practices of such Government, particularly its treatment of the Baha'is and other religious minorities, as a significant element in the development of U.S.-Iranian relations; and (3) cooperate with other governments and international organizations in efforts to protect the religious rights of the Baha'is and other minorities in Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1991
National Commemorative Events Advisory Act - Establishes the President's Advisory Commission on National Commemorative Events to: (1) establish criteria for recommending to the President that a proposed commemorative event be approved or disapproved; (2) review proposals for national commemorative events submitted in accordance with procedures published by the Commission; and (3) issue recommendations to the President concerning each proposal reviewed. Prohibits the Commission from issuing a recommendation to the President for approval of certain commemorative events. Provides that the specified period of time designated by the Commission for a commemorative event may not begin unless more than one year after such designation date. Prohibits the Commission from designating the same commemorative event within a single calendar year. Terminates the Commission five years after its first meeting.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1991
Radiation Protection Act of 1991 - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to require Federal agencies to comply with all Federal, State, and local requirements concerning the imposition of fees for the storage or disposal of low-level radioactive waste in the same manner as nongovernmental entities. Amends the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act Amendments of 1985 to apply requirements concerning the disposal of Federal low-level radioactive waste at non-Federal facilities to the storage of such waste at such facilities. Declares that no Federal law may be construed to prohibit or otherwise restrict the authority of a State to regulate, on the basis of radiological hazard, the disposal of low-level radioactive waste designated a State responsibility for which the Nuclear Regulatory Commission does not require disposal in a low-level radioactive waste disposal facility licensed by the Commission or by an Agreement State. Provides that no Federal law may be construed to preclude or otherwise restrict the authority of any State to impose standards for the protection from radiological hazards more stringent than the Commission's for such disposal. Revokes certain policy statements of the Commission relating to radioactive waste below regulatory concern. Prohibits the Commission or the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from issuing policies exempting radioactive materials or practices from regulation unless there is advance notice of the proposed regulatory action in the Federal Register and the public is provided an opportunity to comment or to participate in an adjudicatory hearing.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1991
Condemns the murder of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and others in the bomb explosion on May 21, 1991. Expresses regret over the deaths of Gandhi and other victims of election violence in India. Offers condolences to Gandhi's widow and children and to the people of India. Stands in solidarity with the Indian people in their effort to sustain the most successful democratic tradition in the developing world.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1991
Expresses the sense of the Congress that Tibet is an occupied country under established principles of international law and that its true representatives are the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1991
Support for Democracy, Human Rights, and Fair Trade in China Act of 1991 - Prohibits most-favored-nation treatment for Chinese products. Terminates such prohibition upon the President's certification to the Congress that China: (1) has ceased committing violations of internationally recognized human rights; (2) has ceased persecution of pro-democracy movement members; (3) permits unrestricted emigration; (4) has ceased religious persecution in China and Tibet; (5) has provided adequate protection of U.S. intellectual property rights, opened access to markets, increased purchases of U.S. goods and services, and has not attempted to hide the origin of goods manufactured in China; (6) has demonstrated its good faith participation in international efforts to control the proliferation of sophisticated military weapons and chemical, biological, and nuclear technologies; and (7) has ceased exporting products manufactured by forced or convict labor.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1991
Water Pollution Prevention and Control Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to revise the authorized activities of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency with respect to water pollution control and investigations. Establishes a National Water Quality Research Committee to advise the Administrator on research activities. Requires the Committee to report annually to the Congress on: (1) research conducted in the preceding year; (2) highest priority research needs for the following five-year period; (3) planned research activities; and (4) opportunities to coordinate Federal and State research. Directs the Administrator to conduct research and investigations of, and survey the results of other scientific studies on, the harmful effects of water pollutants on fish, shellfish, and wildlife. Authorizes appropriations for water pollution research and investigations. Earmarks specified amounts of such appropriations for a small flows clearinghouse and for the Committee. Requires the Administrator (currently, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating) to conduct research concerning solid waste disposal equipment for vessels. Directs the Administrator to conduct research into fresh water aquatic ecosystems and on the nature of river systems (currently, authorizes the Administrator to make grants to colleges and universities and River Studies Centers, respectively, for conducting such research). Removes a limitation on the maximum amounts of grants for river system research. Revises provisions concerning grants for research and development to require the Administrator to establish a program to demonstrate practices for the prevention and control of industrial and municipal sources of water pollution. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants or enter into contracts with persons to develop or demonstrate such practices. Sets forth conditions for the receipt of such assistance. Requires the Administrator to publish annual solicitations for proposals to demonstrate practices which may be effective in controlling sources of water pollution. Sets forth application and approval procedures. Limits the amount of Federal funding for projects. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes appropriations for grants to States for water pollution control programs for FY 1991 and 1992. Sets forth minimum requirements for State water pollution control programs. Requires 75 percent of appropriations to be allotted to States on the basis of the water pollution problem in the respective States. Directs the Administrator to assure that the allocation of funds to a State in any fiscal year is not less than the amount allocated to such State in FY 1991. Makes 25 percent of appropriations available for grants to States for innovative programs for the control and prevention of water pollution which have application to other States. Requires States to contribute non-Federal funds to such grants. Authorizes States to reserve up to 20 percent of such grants to support: (1) costs of any interstate water pollution control agency; and (2) participation by substate regional agencies in water quality planning activities. Revises conditions for the receipt of grants and sets forth State reporting requirements. Revises provisions concerning training grants and contracts to require the Administrator to: (1) implement a national program to train persons in the operation of municipal and industrial wastewater treatment works and other facilities whose purpose is water quality control; (2) make grants to, or contracts with, institutions of higher education to support such programs; and (3) publish guidance on the minimum elements of such programs. Directs the Administrator to award training grants to at least ten institutions of higher education in each fiscal year. Provides for the triennial review of such programs. Directs the Administrator to implement a program to certify the proficiency of operators of publicly owned wastewater treatment works. Requires operators and other designated personnel to be certified as proficient by the Administrator. Directs the Administrator to publish: (1) guidelines on minimum standards for certification; and (2) a Treatment Works Operator's Manual. Provides for certification fees. Authorizes the delegation of the authority for a certification program to a State if the State is qualified to operate the program and will provide the Administrator with requested information. Permits the transfer of an individual's certification from one treatment works to another. Makes certifications valid for a five-year period. Permits recertification for an additional five years provided that the individual: (1) complies with in-service training and related education; and (2) has remained in the applicable position for four years of the five-year certification period. Prescribes civil penalties for violations of certification requirements. Requires institutions of higher education, in addition to other requirements for receiving scholarships for persons planning to enter occupations involving treatment works, to have participated in the treatment works training program and to assure representation of minorities and women in the scholarship program. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1991 and 1992 to carry out the operator training and scholarship programs. Reserves a specified amount of funds for the scholarship program. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants for training in technical matters related to pollution causes, prevention, and elimination. Requires (currently, authorizes) the Administrator to establish research fellowships and maintain a system for forecasting the supply of, and demand for, occupational categories needed for the prevention, reduction, and elimination of pollution. Revises provisions concerning effluent guidelines to require the Administrator to promulgate effluent guidelines applicable to point sources which discharge pollutants into navigable waters. Sets forth requirements for such regulations. Repeals a provision authorizing the modification of a timetable with respect to effluent limitations. Requires effluent guidelines to be reviewed and revised at least every seven years (currently, five years). Directs the Administrator to revise such guidelines on an earlier date if advances in pollution control technology or practices would achieve a significant reduction in the quantity of toxicity of pollutants discharged to navigable waters and such advances are technologically and economically achievable. Requires the Administrator to promulgate or revise standards of performance for new sources in a category whenever effluent guidelines for such category are promulgated or revised. Provides for the review and revision of such standards at least every seven years. Requires sources with pollutant discharge permits and sources introducing pollutants into publicly owned treatment works to pay fees to the Administrator to meet costs of developing effluent guidelines and new source performance standards. Bases the assessment of fees on the volume and toxicity of the discharge. Modifies or waives such fees for small businesses or for reasons of financial hardship. Modifies such fees for sources demonstrating new or innovative technology or allowing the Administrator such access as will facilitate the full development of the guideline or standard. Makes assessments and penalties available only for the development of effluent guidelines and new source performance and pretreatment standards. Makes applicants for permits to operate pursuant to an effluent guideline who have failed to pay applicable assessments liable for penalties. Revises provisions concerning the Effluent Standards and Water Quality Information Advisory Committee. Requires the Committee to: (1) advise the Administrator in the development of effluent standards, new source performance standards, categorical pretreatment standards, secondary treatment standards, and related information and guidelines; and (2) review effluent guideline plans. Directs the Administrator to: (1) publish biennial guidelines for States to follow in issuing contaminated finfish and shellfish consumption advisories to protect recreational and subsistence fishermen; and (2) provide technical assistance to States to support implementation of the guidelines and to educate the public on the risks of consumption of contaminated fish and shellfish. Requires the Administrator, in developing water quality criteria and information, to: (1) consider the factors necessary to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of water bodies; (2) consider the factors necessary to assure the protection of public water supplies, provide for the protection and propagation of a balanced, indigenous population of fish, shellfish, and wildlife, and provide for recreation in and on the water; and (3) identify numerical pollutant concentration limits for varying types of receiving waters sufficient to assure attainment of all designated uses. Authorizes the Administrator to establish biological monitoring and assessment methods for pollutants. Requires the Administrator to publish biennially a list of conventional, nonconventional, and toxic pollutants. Directs the Administrator to submit a plan for the development of water quality criteria and information to the Congress on a triennial basis. Requires the first plan to provide for: (1) publication of criteria and information for at least 20 pollutants for which criteria and information are not currently available in each fiscal year; (2) revision of at least 20 existing criteria documents to address the needs of lakes and marine waters; and (3) publication of at least 20 criteria documents for pollutants in aquatic sediments. Directs the Administrator to publish: (1) at least 60 criteria documents within four years of this Act's enactment date; and (2) a criteria document for whole effluent toxicity. Requires States to designate uses for all water bodies for which uses have not been designated. Includes within the water bodies for which uses shall be designated rivers and streams, lakes, estuarine water bodies, and waters of the contiguous zone. Applies use designations to the waters and aquatic sediments of water bodies. Requires water bodies not currently designated to support the goal of fishable, swimmable waters to be designated by a specified deadline. Authorizes the Administrator to extend a designated use for a water body for three years based on a showing by a State that attainment and maintenance of fishable, swimmable waters: (1) is not feasible because naturally occurring pollutant concentrations prevent attainment of the use or human caused sources of pollution prevent attainment and would cause more environmental harm to correct than to leave in place; or (2) would result in substantial and widespread social and economic impacts. Requires States to adopt water and sediment quality standards adequate to protect designated uses. Sets forth standards requirements. Authorizes States to adopt biological monitoring and assessment methods for a class of pollutants affecting a water body. Directs a State to: (1) adopt standards for pollutants for which water quality criteria and information are published; (2) notify States which border on the waters of such State and States with water bodies located upstream from the State of changes in standards; and (3) report revisions or adoptions of uses or standards to the Administrator. Sets forth approval and review procedures for designations and standards. Requires the Administrator to promulgate uses or standards for States that fail to comply. Directs the Administrator to designate uses of waters of the contiguous zone and the ocean and to adopt standards for such waters for each pollutant for which criteria and information have been published. Provides for the biennial review of a State's water quality planning process. Prohibits the Administrator from making grants for water pollution control programs to States without approved planning processes. Deletes provisions concerning thermal discharges and heat standards. Requires States to implement antidegradation policies. Directs the Administrator to implement such policies for States without approved policies. Sets forth policy requirements. Requires States to implement programs to protect outstanding national resource waters. Directs the Administrator to designate such waters for States that fail to do so. Requires State antidegradation policies to assure that waters of ecological significance meet water and sediment quality standards. Directs States to conduct antidegradation reviews for water bodies: (1) prior to issuing permits to sources authorizing new or increased pollutant discharges to such water bodies; and (2) whenever existing sources increase the mass or concentration of discharges to such water bodies by more than de minimis amounts to assure that the antidegradation policy is not violated. Permits water quality standards to be exceeded in mixing zones. Requires States to establish a schedule (not to exceed five years) for the development of total maximum daily loads for pollutants for which criteria and information are published in water bodies in which designated uses or standards are not attained. Directs the Administrator or an authorized State, in the case of water bodies for which individual control strategies are developed, to: (1) provide that permits issued to point sources discharging to such waters include specified authorities; (2) issue permits for industrial and municipal discharges of stormwater to such waters; (3) prohibit the specification of an area as a disposal site and restrict the use of such area; (4) prohibit the discharge of sewage from vessels; (5) give priority to the selection of such waters for specified management conferences; and (6) prepare management programs for watershed areas of waters for States without approved assessment and/or management programs for an affected water body. Requires States to conduct and report biennially to the Administrator on programs to monitor the quality of navigable waters. Establishes a Water Quality Monitoring Council to assure the coordination of Federal and State water quality monitoring programs. Requires the Administrator to: (1) issue annual guidance for the coordinated implementation of such programs; and (2) submit a strategy for such implementation to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations. Permits the Administrator to prohibit the discharge of specified pollutants from point sources to protect public health or the environment. Directs the Administrator to publish regulations prohibiting the discharge of, and to establish bioaccumulation factors for, the following pollutants: (1) Aldrin/Dieldrin; (2) DDT; (3) Endrin; (4) Toxaphene; (5) Benzidine; (6) polychlorinated biphenyls; (7) 2,3,7,8, TCDD; and (8) mercury. Requires the Administrator to: (1) publish procedures for determining the bioaccumulation factor of toxic pollutants; and (2) publish regulations prohibiting the discharge of highly toxic and bioaccumulative pollutants. Exempts publicly owned treatment works from discharge prohibitions if compliance is technologically infeasible. Permits persons to petition for the prohibition of a pollutant discharge. Prohibits the Administrator from registering a pesticide pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act until the registrant submits sufficient information to assess the toxicity of the pesticide. Provides for: (1) the addition to, or removal from, such list of pollutants; and (2) the review and revision of such list at least every five years. Requires the Administrator to remove ammonia and chlorine from the list of nonconventional pollutants and to add them to the list of toxic pollutants. Revises provisions concerning pretreatment standards to require the Administrator to promulgate pretreatment standards and local limits for the introduction of toxic and nonconventional pollutants into treatment works. Sets forth requirements for such standards. Directs the Administrator to promulgate pretreatment standards for each category of sources for which effluent guidelines but no pretreatment standards have been promulgated, unless such sources will not introduce pollutants into publicly owned treatment works. Authorizes the Administrator to promulgate pretreatment standards for sources regardless of whether effluent guidelines have been promulgated. Provides for the review and revision of pretreatment standards at least every seven years. Requires compliance with such standards within three years of the date on which the standards are promulgated. Directs control authorities to establish local limits for the pretreatment of all toxic and nonconventional pollutants introduced into a publicly owned treatment works by industrial users. Requires limits to be established for industrial users not subject to a national pretreatment standard. Requires compliance by control authorities within five years of this Act's enactment date. Prohibits the issuance of permits to publicly owned treatment works after such deadline unless such permits include requirements to enforce local limits. Makes it unlawful to introduce pollutants that are hazardous wastes into treatment works. Revises State permit requirements for discharges from publicly owned treatment works. Authorizes civil actions to be brought for past violations of effluent standards or limitations. Grants district courts discretion to order civil penalties to be used for projects to enhance public health or the environment by restoring or improving water quality or wildlife or habitat damaged as a result of the violation. Prescribes civil and criminal penalties for violations of pretreatment requirements. Requires public notice to be provided with respect to noncomplying major dischargers. Authorizes the Administrator to withhold up to 25 percent of funds for water pollution control programs from a State unless the State has adequate authority to abate violations of specified permits and pretreatment requirements applicable to industrial users of publicly owned treatment works. Requires treatment works serving populations greater than 50,000 persons to submit Toxic Reduction Action Programs to the Administrator. Sets forth program requirements. Requires treatment works to give priority to sources violating water quality standards in implementing influent interdiction programs. Sets forth approval procedures. Provides that such programs shall be valid for five years and may be reviewed, revised, and resubmitted after such period. Requires the Administrator to adjust the amount of permit fees for treatment works to reflect the degree of pollutant reduction accomplished. Directs the Administrator to publish guidelines specifying elements of nonpoint pollution management programs. Withholds nonpoint source management grants and Federal highway assistance (with specified exceptions) from States without approved nonpoint source management programs. Extends the authorization of appropriations for such grants and for grants for protecting groundwater quality through FY 1993. Requires priority consideration to be given to watersheds of impaired water bodies in soil conservation programs of the Department of Agriculture. Makes watersheds of such water bodies eligible for enrollment in a specified agricultural water quality protection program. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to acquire easements for cropland located within watersheds of impaired water bodies. Requires the Secretary to designate such watersheds as conservation priority areas. Directs the Administrator to issue regulations concerning the control of nonpoint sources of pollution on all lands managed or owned by the Federal Government. Prohibits the manufacturing and distribution for sale within the United States of any commercial fertilizer without taking precautions for protection of water quality. Sets forth requirements with respect to such fertilizers. Requires the Administrator to prepare an annual list and description of significant water resource areas. Authorizes persons to petition for the inclusion of a water body on such list. Revises provisions concerning rural nonpoint source pollution management. Requires the Administrator to establish management conferences to assess environmental quality in major river systems and develop management plans for such systems. Provides that management conferences shall be convened for periods of up to five years. Directs the Administrator to select river systems for inclusion in the program. Sets forth conditions for priority consideration for the program. Authorizes State Governors to nominate any system within a State as a river system of national significance and request a management conference for such system. Requires the Administrator to give priority consideration for inclusion in the system to the Hudson River, the Susquehanna River, the Delaware River, the Rio Grande, and the Columbia River. Sets forth minimum requirements of conservation and management plans required under such conferences. Authorizes the Administrator to implement: (1) a program of monitoring to determine the physical, biological, and chemical conditions of a river system; (2) a program of ecosystem assessment; and (3) a research program to identify the movement of pollutants through the river system and the impact of pollutants on water quality, the ecosystem, and uses of the waters. Permits the Administrator to make grants to support management conferences. Limits and places conditions on such grants. Prohibits the issuance of a permit unless the applicant demonstrates a need to discharge based on the maximum use of measures to eliminate the discharge or reduce the volume and toxicity of pollutants within the economic capability of the owner or operator. Provides that State permit programs shall insure that permits with remaining terms of three or more years are revised to incorporate new or revised effluent limitations or other standards promulgated after the issuance of such permits. Prohibits the issuance of new permits for new discharges into navigable waters to persons who own, lease, or operate two or more facilities that are not in compliance with permits. Requires new facilities to obtain discharge permits prior to the construction of such facilities. Authorizes the Administrator to deny permits for discharges into the territorial sea, the waters of the contiguous zone, the oceans, or waters not attaining water quality standards if such discharges can be expected to adversely affect the protection and propagation of a balanced, indigenous population of shellfish, fish, and wildlife and recreational activity in and on the water. Deems existing exemptions to limitations concerning biological discharge criteria to be invalid. Adds waters not attaining water quality standards to the list of waters for which the Administrator is required to promulgate guidelines to determine degradation and biological discharge criteria. Requires State permit programs to provide for the termination or modification of a permit if a State other than that in which the source is located provides notice that the permitted discharge is causing a substantial violation of a water quality requirement or adversely affecting public health. Directs the Administrator to take specified actions if a State does not accept the recommendations of the State whose waters are affected by the discharge. Requires States in which there are discharges of overflows from combined storm water and sanitary sewers into navigable waters to submit biennially to the Administrator an inventory of such discharges which shall: (1) identify the location of each discharge and the affected waterbody; (2) identify the entity responsible for the discharge; (3) identify the permit for the discharge; (4) identify the estimated volume and pollutant loading of the discharge over a one-year period; (5) assess the proportion of the volume of the combined discharge to the volume capacity of the appropriate treatment works over a specified time period; and (6) identify the nature and status of any existing programs to eliminate discharges. Directs such entities to submit to the Administrator a program and schedule for the elimination of such discharges. Outlines program requirements and procedures for approval and modification. Makes entities which fail to implement such programs subject to penalties. Directs the Administrator or an authorized State to modify or issue permits for discharges of combined sewers. Requires the Administrator to publish guidance describing best management practices and other measures for the elimination of combined storm water and sanitary sewer overflows. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants for the development of surveys of combined sewer overflows and for the development and implementation of overflow elimination plans. Sets forth grant approval and allocation procedures. Limits the Federal share of the cost of such programs. Provides for the establishment of a water pollution control revolving fund for States which implement a combined storm water and sanitary sewer elimination program. Requires the Administrator to publish information establishing the degree of percentage removal attainable through the application of secondary treatment where a treatment works receives flows from combined sanitary and storm water sewers. Requires States administering discharge permit programs to require owners or operators of point sources subject to permit requirements to pay annual fees to cover at least 60 percent of the costs of administering the point source elements of water quality programs. Sets forth provisions concerning the amount of fees. Requires the Administrator to collect fees if a State is not enforcing a fee program. Makes sources that fail to pay fees liable for payment of fees and penalties. Withholds 50 percent of pollution control assistance from a State that fails to comply with permit fee requirements. Prohibits the firing of, or discrimination against, any employee who refuses to perform duties that would constitute a violation of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act or would result in serious injury to the public. Requires the Administrator to assess the cost of construction of public facilities needed to accomplish the water quality goals of this Act. Increases the amount of sums to be reserved for waste treatment management plans, sewage treatment works, and nonpoint source programs for Indian tribes. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants for such assistance in amounts of up to 100 percent of the project cost. Requires the Administrator to report to the Congress biennially on the need for sewage treatment works to serve Indian tribes. Directs the Administrator to make grants to support the administration of water quality programs by Indian tribes treated as States. Permits the Administrator to make grants to Indian tribes to support development of authorities necessary for such treatment. Sets forth provisions concerning the allocations of such grants and limitations on the Federal share of the costs of such programs. Makes State water pollution control revolving loan funds available to Indian tribes for construction of publicly owned treatment works. Directs the Administrator to issue permits for discharges to navigable waters on Federal Indian reservations unless the Indian tribe has been delegated authority to issue permits. Requires persons with discharge permits who are required to file annual toxic chemical release forms under the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 to conduct environmental audits to establish and improve compliance with permit requirements. Provides that environmental audits shall be conducted by persons certified under this Act. Directs the Administrator to establish requirements concerning such audits and to notify facilities required to prepare audits. Requires the Administrator, in notifying such facilities, to give priority to facilities at which: (1) there is a history of noncompliance with permits; (2) discharges contribute to violations of water quality standards; (3) discharges are of significant volume or toxicity; and (4) there are discharges to several environmental media. Directs the Administrator to publish guidance concerning methods for the design and implementation of environmental monitoring and audits. Prescribes civil or criminal penalties for audit violations. Sets forth provisions concerning the confidentiality of information obtained from facilities subject to audit requirements. Prescribes civil penalties for the disclosure of protected information. Lists information not entitled to protection. Requires the Administrator to develop: (1) programs for the training and certification of individuals conducting audits; and (2) a general manual of methods for environmental monitoring, compliance assessment, and environmental auditing. Limits certifications to a period of ten years. Permits the Administrator to collect fees for training and certification programs. Requires the Administrator to provide for oversight and evaluation of audits and for random tests of the accuracy of data and analyses conducted by organizations certified to conduct audits. Provides for revocations of certifications, or permanent barring, of organizations with repeated audit inaccuracies. Requires the modification of permits based on measures recommended in audits. Directs the Administrator to: (1) negotiate with representatives of the Government of Mexico to establish a program to prevent pollution and to monitor and improve water quality in the U.S.-Mexican border region; (2) determine which water bodies in the region are not in compliance with designated uses; (3) determine the sources of pollutants causing impairment of such water bodies and the amounts of pollutants discharged; and (4) assess the need for sewage treatment works to serve such region and the degree to which such needs will be met through certain funds allotted to States. Extends the general authorization of appropriations for the Federal Water Pollution Control Act through FY 1998. Establishes a Clean Water Fund to support the implementation of specified water pollution control programs. Sets forth Fund allotment requirements. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1992 (currently, FY 1996 and FY 1995, respectively) for implementation of the Long Island Sound Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan and the Lake Champlain Management Conference. Revises a condition on the use of a State water pollution control revolving fund to make loans to provide that the costs of administering the fund shall not exceed four percent of all capitalization grants (currently, all grant awards to the fund). Permits capitalization grants to American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, the Trust Territory of Palau (or its successor entity), the Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia to be used for grants for the construction of treatment works. Continues the allotment of funds under the current formula through FY 1996. Requires the Administrator to: (1) reserve a specified percentage of funds for incentive capitalization grants; and (2) make such grants to any State which, after FY 1992, deposits moneys in an amount equal to that deposited in FY 1991 in a water pollution control revolving fund. Directs States to deposit awards in such funds. Adds to the list of conditions under which water pollution control revolving funds may make loans that loans for publicly owned treatment works utilizing innovative treatment processes may be made at or below market interest rates at terms not to exceed 40 years. Prohibits more than five percent of the capitalized value of a fund from being used to provide such assistance. Sets forth provisions concerning the use of unobligated funds. Revises repayment requirements for loans made from State revolving funds to require annual principal and interest payments to commence within three (currently, one) years after completion of a project. Permits such loans to be made to reduce the principal of debt obligations by at least 85 percent where such obligations were incurred after May 15, 1991, and where the State has determined that the municipality, intermunicipality, or interstate agency would not be able to afford to undertake a project with assistance. Requires value engineering reviews to be conducted for any treatment works construction projected in excess of $20,000,000 (currently, $10,000,000).
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1991
Authorizes the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Select Committee on Intelligence to provide to the Independent Counsel, under appropriate security controls, documents in its custody and control.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1991
Coastal Protection Act of 1991 - States that it is U.S. policy to restore and protect the integrity of the marine environment so that the values of such environment are not impaired by pollution. Title I: Marine Monitoring Programs - Amends the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement a program to measure the environmental quality of marine ecosystems. Requires the program to be located at the Environmental Research Laboratory, Narragansett, Rhode Island. Directs the Administrator to establish: (1) a program for identifying indicators of marine ecosystem quality; and (2) a system for designing and reviewing methods for monitoring marine ecosystems. Requires the Administrator to submit to the Congress a Comprehensive Implementation Strategy identifying activities to implement a comprehensive marine ecosystem monitoring program. Directs the Administrator to enter into memoranda of understanding with appropriate Federal agencies to coordinate Federal marine monitoring programs. Requires the Administrator to report annually to the Congress on the condition of the nation's marine ecosystems. Directs the Administrator to establish: (1) a Marine Environment Information Program to compile and disseminate information on issues related to the marine environment; and (2) a program of research and monitoring to determine the effects of atmospheric pollutants on degradation of the marine environment. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Coastal Water Quality Protection Programs - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to direct the Administrator to submit to the Congress a Coastal Environment Toxics Release Strategy. Requires the Administrator to prepare an annual assessment of the industrial categories discharging pollutants required to be reported pursuant to the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 into coastal waters and into publicly owned treatment works which discharge into such waters. Provides that the assessment shall identify: (1) categories which discharge the greatest amounts of pollutants; and (2) geographical areas receiving the greatest amount of pollutant discharges. Directs the Administrator to use the assessment to: (1) verify permit information; (2) improve individual control strategies for toxic pollutants; (3) identify other regulatory programs and adopt measures to assure that toxics data is incorporated into those programs; (4) identify pollutants for which water quality criteria have not been published; and (5) target compliance and enforcement actions. Extends the authorization of appropriations for the National Estuary Program. Adds Casco Bay, Maine, and Tampa Bay and Lower St. Johns River, Florida, to the list of areas to be given priority consideration for management conferences under the National Estuary Program. Prohibits the Administrator from convening a management conference for any estuary which is not designated as a priority marine water body under this Act. Authorizes (currently, requires) the Administrator to carry out specified environmental monitoring and research programs in estuaries. Directs the Administrator to designate all marine water bodies which do not assure the protection and propagation of a balanced, indigenous population of shellfish, fish, and wildlife and allow for recreational activities in and on the water. Requires the Administrator, in the designation of such water bodies, to give priority to water bodies which: (1) function as ecological systems; and (2) exhibit a range of degradation problems and are degraded by various pollution sources. Sets forth specific requirements for such water bodies with respect to point source discharges, permits for discharges of storm water, restrictions on disposal sites and discharges of sewage from vessels, pretreatment of industrial wastes, and management programs for watersheds. Requires publicly owned treatment works which serve industrial users and discharge to a designated water body to establish or revise a pretreatment program to include requirements for: (1) permits for industrial discharges into the treatment works; (2) local limits to control the discharge of toxic pollutants into the treatment works; (3) random sampling and inspection of industrial users; (4) development of enforcement response plans; (5) notification by industrial users of any discharge into the treatment works of a waste listed under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; and (6) notification by industrial users in advance of changes in the volume or character of pollutants in their discharge. Directs the Administrator to: (1) develop and test guidelines for publicly owned treatment works to reduce and control the sources of toxic pollutants found in waste waters; and (2) establish a data base of such sources. Requires local governments to provide State certifications to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to show that requirements for construction in the 100-year marine flood plain are adequate to assure that such construction will not violate State water quality standards. Directs FEMA to suspend any community failing to provide such certification from the flood insurance program. Requires the Administrator to establish a national program of outreach information and technical assistance for owners of marine land. Directs the Administrator to provide such owners with specified information concerning land management and environmental protection. Authorizes the delegation of the operation of such programs to States. Requires the Administrator to provide technical assistance to the Secretary of Agriculture to reduce agricultural and related sources of nonpoint source pollution to coastal waters. Directs the Administrator to: (1) identify those lands which, if enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program, would contribute to protection of the coastal environment by reducing nonpoint source pollution; and (2) furnish the list of such lands to the Secretary to assist the Secretary in establishing priorities for expenditures under the Conservation Reserve Program. Requires the Administrator to prohibit the discharge from a vessel of sewage into any designated water body. Directs the Administrator to: (1) study the availability of adequate facilities for the safe and sanitary removal and treatment of sewage from vessels operating on coastal waters; and (2) report and make recommendations to the Congress on such study to assure that such facilities are reasonably available. Requires the Administrator to submit to specified congressional committees a five-year plan and schedule for the development, review, and revision of criteria for pollutants found in marine waters and sediment. Provides that the plan shall: (1) give priority to pollutants which pose the greatest threat to the marine environment; and (2) provide for biological toxicity criteria for marine waters and sediments. Permits persons to petition the Administrator to develop such criteria. Requires the Administrator to approve a petition if the pollutant is preventing the attainment of a balanced, indigenous population of fish, shellfish, and wildlife or preventing recreation in and on marine waters. Provides for the revision of such criteria, as necessary. Directs each State bordering on marine waters to promulgate numerical marine water and sediment quality standards for pollutants for which criteria have been published under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Requires such standards to assure the protection and propagation of a balanced, indigenous population of shellfish, fish, and wildlife and provide for recreational activities in and on the water. Directs the Administrator to establish standards for States which fail to do so and for areas of the marine environment not under State control. Provides that State standards shall take precedence over Federal standards, unless the Federal standard is more stringent or protective of human health and the environment. Authorizes State Governors to petition the Administrator for less stringent standards if proven that such standards will assure an equal degree of protection of human health and the environment and are appropriate because of significant differences in the biological, physical, and chemical characteristics of the waters in question and U.S. marine waters and sediments. Prohibits the issuance of permits for discharges into the territorial sea, the waters of the contiguous zone, or the oceans if the Administrator determines that a discharge is expected to: (1) prevent the protection and propagation of a balanced, indigenous population of fish and wildlife and recreational activities in and on the water; or (2) prevent the attainment of standards established pursuant to this Act. Authorizes the Administrator to apply specified ocean discharge criteria in considering permit requests for discharges in estuarine waters. Deems regulations creating exemptions to ocean discharge requirements to be invalid. Requires the Administrator, in assessing the effects of a proposed discharge to marine waters, to consider an applicant's demonstration of the need to discharge based on a showing of measures to eliminate or minimize the discharge. Directs the Administrator to publish guidance describing pollution prevention methods and the EPA's expectations with regard to such demonstrations. Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Chesapeake Bay Program. Title III: Marine Sediment Contamination - National Sediment Contamination Survey Act of 1990 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to require the Administrator to: (1) conduct a survey of, and report to the Congress on, sediment contamination in U.S. coastal waters; and (2) compile information on the quantity, chemical and physical makeup, and geographic location of contaminated sediments, the source of contamination, and the environmental and human health effects of contamination. Amends the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act to prohibit the issuance of permits or dumping authorizations for dumping material which contains contaminants in excess of water or sediment quality standards or criteria adopted pursuant to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Provides for special permits (currently, waivers of requirements) for the disposition of dredged material which would result in noncompliance with dumping criteria or restrictions. Requires the Administrator (currently, authorizes) to designate sites or times for ocean dumping. Directs the Administrator to develop and implement site management plans for designated ocean dumping sites. Prohibits the designation of, and the issuance of permits or dumping authorizations for, a site unless a site management plan has been developed. Provides for public comment on, and periodic review of, site designation actions and management plans. Revises general permit provisions for ocean dumping. Limits such permits to a period of three years. Expands the scope of penalties for ocean dumping violations. Title IV: Other Provisions - Directs the Administrator to: (1) conduct research and monitoring to identify unregulated pollutants in the estuarine zone, coastal waters, and the Great Lakes not currently addressed in requirements of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act; and (2) report to the Congress on such pollutants and provide a plan for integrating these contaminants into the pollution control authorities of such Act. Provides for studies and reports on pollution in coastal waters. Requires the Administrator to: (1) study the activities of Federal agencies that may result in degradation of coastal waters; and (2) report to the Congress on the study and recommendations to reduce such degradation. Directs Federal agencies to minimize degradation of coastal waters and preserve the natural values served by such waters in carrying out responsibilities. Requires the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to study and report to specified congressional committees on the nature of the relationship between contact with marine pollutants and shellfish consumption with the incidence of human illnesses. Directs the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to study and report to the Congress on: (1) the economic impacts caused by marine degradation; and (2) the impact that enhanced nitrogen levels in the marine environment may have on stimulating toxic algal blooms. Requires the EPA Administrator to report on the potential use of microorganisms to degrade pollutants such as organic material or chemical pollutants in municipal or industrial wastes both before and after disposal in the marine environment and the Great Lakes.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1991
Lakes Assessment and Protection Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to conduct a comprehensive research program concerning the nation's lakes. Directs the Administrator to appoint a Lake Research Advisory Committee. Requires States to designate the use of each publicly-owned lake consistent with the following uses: (1) public drinking water supply; (2) swimming and related body contact recreation; and (3) resource protection. Directs the Administrator to: (1) publish water quality criteria for specified pollutants in lakes; and (2) publish guidance to assist States in the adoption of lake water quality standards for contaminants for which criteria documents have been published. Requires States to establish for publicly-owned lakes numerical standards for water quality parameters to assure the attainment and maintenance of designated uses. Directs the Administrator to establish standards for States that fail to do so. Repeals specified requirements of the State clean lakes program. Authorizes States to apply for grant assistance from the Administrator to: (1) conduct projects to protect the quality of lakes; and (2) develop and implement plans to control pollution in a lake or group of lakes. Limits grant applications to statewide projects to: (1) improve public information and education concerning lake protection; (2) develop State or local requirements concerning lake protection; (3) develop lake assessment and monitoring information; and (4) develop lake protection plans. Limits the Federal share of such grants. Lists priorities for awarding grants. Makes States that fail to comply with clean lakes program requirements ineligible for grant assistance. Extends the authorization of appropriations for such grants through FY 1996. Reserves a specified percentage for lake water quality programs, lake pollution control plans, and lake water quality demonstration programs. Makes assistance from State water pollution control revolving funds available for lake protection programs. Revises requirements for lake water quality demonstration programs. Adds to the priority list for such programs China Lake and Sebago Lake, Maine. Requires the Administrator to issue regulations prohibiting the distribution for sale within the United States of detergents and related products containing phosphate. Directs the Administrator and the Secretary of Agriculture to work cooperatively to assure coordination of agriculture programs and lake protection programs. Requires priority consideration to be given to watersheds of impaired lakes in soil conservation programs of the Department of Agriculture. Makes watersheds of such lakes eligible for enrollment in a specified agricultural water quality protection program. Authorizes the Secretary to acquire easements for cropland located within watersheds of impaired lakes. Requires the Secretary to designate such watersheds as conservation priority areas. Amends the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 to require the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force to undertake a program to prevent the dissemination of Eurasion Milfoil (Myriophyllum Spicatum), a type of aquatic weed. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to declare Eurasion Milfoil to be an injurious species. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1991
Arms Suppliers Regime Act of 1991 - Declares that the Secretary of State should undertake to convene a conference of appropriate nations to establish an arms suppliers regime. States that the purpose of such regime should be to: (1) halt the flow of unconventional arms and technologies necessary to produce such arms to nations in the Middle East; (2) limit and control the proliferation of advanced conventional arms to such nations; and (3) provide incentives for regional arms control agreements in the Middle East. Lists actions to be taken to carry out such purposes. Requires the President to report annually to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on: (1) all transfers of arms to the Middle East over the previous five years; (2) the current military balance in the region; (3) the operation and effect of the arms suppliers regime; (4) the supplier nations that have refused to participate in such regime; and (5) specific actions of supplier nations that have engaged in conduct that violates or undermines the regime. Prohibits the sale of defense articles or services, or the issuance of export licenses for such articles or services, to any nation in the Middle East unless the President: (1) certifies that the Secretary has undertaken to convene the conference for the establishment of an arms suppliers regime; and (2) submits a specified report on such regime.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1991
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Government of Kuwait, Kuwaiti firms, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and any other U.S. agency or entity should: (1) award contracts for the rebuilding of Kuwait with a preference given to supplies or goods mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States and engineering, consulting, and construction services of firms established and doing business in the United States; and (2) encourage the participation of U.S. small and disadvantaged businesses, including minority- and women-owned businesses, in such contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1991
Modifies specified provisions of law concerning the Federal budget process, including emergency sequestration powers, due to a low-growth report by the Congressional Budget Office.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1991
Horn of Africa Recovery and Food Security Act of 1991 - Sets forth U.S. policy with respect to the Horn of Africa (Ethiopia, Somalia, and Sudan). Requires the President to consult with other nations, armed and unarmed parties in the Horn of Africa, and the United Nations Secretary General to bring about negotiated settlements of the wars in the region. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) direct the U.S. representative to the United Nations to take specified steps with respect to peace and the implementation of an arms embargo in the region; (2) play an active role in other fora in pressing for settlements to such wars; and (3) participate in regional and international peace consultations. Sets forth U.S. policy with respect to the equitable distribution of relief and rehabilitation aid in the Horn of Africa. Declares that development assistance in the Horn of Africa should be targeted to aid the poor. States that U.S. Government aid institutions should seek to: (1) build upon the capabilities and experiences of organizations active in local grassroots relief, rehabilitation, and development efforts; (2) consult with such organizations and incorporate their views into the policymaking process; and (3) support the expansion of their activities without compromising their private nature. Declares that current legislative provisions that restrict assistance to Ethiopia, Somalia, and Sudan should be retained until concrete steps toward peace, democracy, and human rights are achieved. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize emergency assistance for relief and rehabilitation in the Horn of Africa. Makes available a percentage of assistance for management support activities of the Agency for International Development. Authorizes the President to transfer funds from unobligated economic support fund and military assistance to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1991
Designates May 22, 1991, as National Desert Storm Reservists Day to commemorate the accomplishments of the men and women of the reserve components of the U.S. Armed Forces who proudly served the United States during Operation Desert Storm.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1991
Commends General Vessey and Foreign Minister Thach, and the Governments of the United States and Vietnam, for agreeing to establish an American POW/MIA office in Hanoi, Vietnam. Calls for the immediate establishment of such office. Expresses the sense of the Senate that such office should be authorized to serve as a liaison between the families of Americans missing in action and the Government of Vietnam through which such families can make arrangements with such Government to investigate the fates of their relatives.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1991
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the accession of Taiwan to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) is in the best interest of the United States and of the world trading system and should be achieved in an expeditious manner; and (2) the United States should take the necessary steps to assure such country's membership in the GATT.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1991
Directs the Secretary of the Senate to pay, from the contingent fund of the Senate, the actual and necessary expenses incurred by the Senate representatives who attended the funeral of the Honorable John Tower.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1991
Circle of Poison Prevention Act of 1991 - Title I: Exported Pesticides - Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to require pesticide producers operating registered establishments to inform the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency of: (1) the types and quantities of pesticides and active ingredients used in producing pesticides for export to a foreign country; and (2) the date of export and quantity of such materials exported to each foreign country to which the producer has exported during the past 365-day period. Provides that specified information on exported pesticides shall not be entitled to confidential trade secret treatment. Makes it unlawful to export a pesticide or device in violation of FIFRA export requirements. Prohibits the exportation of a pesticide or device unless: (1) such materials are prepared and packaged according to the specifications of the foreign purchaser and the legal requirements of the country of use; and (2) the label of the pesticide is written in the official language of the country of use and contains all information required to be included in the labeling for such pesticide in the United States. Prohibits the exportation of a pesticide to a country of use if: (1) the registrations for pesticides containing an active ingredient that is included in such pesticide that account for nearly all of the uses of such ingredient have been canceled; (2) the tolerances for an active ingredient in such pesticide that account for nearly all the uses of such ingredient have been revoked; or (3) an active ingredient of the pesticide is ineligible for reregistration. Prohibits such exports (including pesticides used for agricultural production) unless: (1) the pesticide is registered; or (2) all of the active ingredients in the pesticide are the subject of a food tolerance. Requires exporters, prior to the shipment of certain pesticides, to provide specified information to the Administrator. Prohibits the exportation of any pesticide to a country of use that: (1) has refused consent; or (2) has given conditional consent unless the conditions on which the consent was given are met. Prohibits refusals to consent unless the country certifies that it is not producing or importing and will not produce or import the pesticide or a similar product with the same active ingredient. Waives certain requirements, upon the request of a country of use and subject to certain determinations by the Administrator, to permit the export of pesticides not meeting FIFRA requirements to: (1) prevent or arrest the spread of a communicable disease; or (2) stop or prevent the spread of a pest that is destroying or will destroy quantities of the country's food supply so as to result in widespread famine. Permits the export of pesticides for experimental use in foreign countries if specified conditions are met. Directs the Administrator to submit information to the Secretary of Health and Human Services concerning inspection for pesticide residues in imported foods conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services. Requires the Administrator to notify foreign countries and the International Register of Potentially Toxic Chemicals whenever regulatory action is taken with respect to a pesticide. Directs the Administrator to: (1) convene meetings with foreign governments and other interested parties to promote the implementation of improved research and regulatory programs for pest management and strategies for sustainable agriculture and to encourage the adoption of a multilateral convention requiring standard notice and pesticide export control measures; and (2) provide foreign countries with technical assistance to develop pesticide regulatory programs. Permits persons to bring civil actions to secure the imposition of penalties on persons who violate pesticide export requirements. Prohibits civil actions from being initiated on the basis of existing proceedings for criminal violations. Requires the Comptroller General to report to the Congress every four years on: (1) the operation and effect of this Act; and (2) how exported pesticides and their containers are used and disposed of and on their impact on the public health and the environment of countries of use. Title II: Pesticides Residue Monitoring - Amends the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 to direct the Food and Drug Administration to summarize the volume of each food product subject to the requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act imported into the United States in quantities determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to be commercial quantities (currently, products having an entry value exceeding an amount established by the Secretary). Requires the summary to: (1) be made by food product, country of origin, port of entry, pesticides monitored by the Secretary, pesticide residues detected, and the quantity of each pesticide exported from the United States for agricultural use; and (2) indicate the volume of each type of food tested for pesticide residues, arranged by pesticide, food, and country of origin. Title III: Pesticide Tolerances - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Administrator, if a registration under FIFRA for a pesticide to be used on food is canceled or modified to prohibit its use in connection with food, to revoke any tolerance or exemption that permits the presence of the pesticide on the food. Suspends tolerances or exemptions for pesticides used on food if such use is suspended under FIFRA. Authorizes the Administrator, if a residue of a canceled or suspended pesticide will persist in the environment and be present on a food, to establish a tolerance for the pesticide at a level that permits the residue to remain and will protect public health. Requires the Administrator to reduce the tolerance for any suspended or canceled pesticide annually if any decrease in the pesticide's residual environmental contamination or residues on food has occurred. Prohibits the Administrator from establishing or continuing a tolerance for a pesticide chemical residue unless the best available, practical method for detecting and measuring the levels of the residue on a food exists. Title IV: Pesticide Information - Prohibits the importation of a raw agricultural commodity into U.S. customs territory unless the commodity importer files with the Secretary and the Secretary of the Treasury a document identifying each pesticide chemical used in connection with the commodity. Requires such importers, if unreported pesticides are detected in such commodities, to submit residue analyses for such pesticides. Waives reporting requirements for unreported pesticides if the presence of such pesticides is attributable to long-term environmental persistence and does not pose a health risk. Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, and the Egg Products Inspection Act to apply such requirements to importers of meat, poultry, and eggs. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1954 to add to the list of annual reporting requirements of agricultural attaches a report on the customary use of pesticides in the production of agricultural commodities in foreign countries. Title V: Effective Dates - Sets forth the effective dates for provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1991
World Climate Convention Observer Group Resolution - Establishes the Senate World Climate Convention Observer Group to monitor the World Climate Convention process. Requires that all foreign travel of the Observer Group be authorized jointly by the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate, and upon the recommendation of both the Chairman and Co-Chairman of the Group. Authorizes the Majority Leader or the Minority Leader to designate one other Senator of his party who is not a member of the Group to travel and participate in its activities in his stead, if such Leader does not travel on an official trip of the Group. Terminates this Act upon the adjournment sine die of the First Session of the 102d Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1991
Directs the Senate Legal Counsel to represent Kenneth Ballen (the former chief counsel of the Special Committee on Investigations of the Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs) in the case of United States v. Byron T. Brown, et al. Authorizes Ballen to testify, and such Committee to produce documents, in such case.
![Official portrait of Sen. Mitchell, George J. [D-ME]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m000811_200.jpg)