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United States · Official source
860 records where Sen. Moseley-Braun, Carol [D-IL] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1995
Designates March 25, 1995, as Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1995
Gives the consent of the Congress to certain additional powers conferred on the Bi-State Development Agency by specified laws of the States of Missouri and Illinois. Makes such powers take effect on January 1, 1995. Applies a specified Act consenting to the compact establishing the Agency to such additional powers as if they were conferred under such compact. Reserves the right to: (1) amend this joint resolution; and (2) require Agency disclosure and furnishing of appropriate information or data.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1995
Birth Defects Prevention Act of 1995 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish birth defects prevention and research programs. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), to provide for collection, analysis, and reporting of birth defects statistics from birth certificates, infant death certificates, hospital records, or other sources and to collect and disaggregate such statistics by gender and racial and ethnic group. Directs the Secretary to establish at least five regional birth defects monitoring and research programs to collect and analyze information on the number, incidence, correlation, and causes of birth defects. Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the Director of CDC, to award grants or enter into cooperative agreements with specified entities to serve as Centers of Excellence for Birth Defects Prevention Research. Requires one of the Centers to focus on birth defects among ethnic minorities. Requires the CDC to establish a clearinghouse for the collection and storage of data generated from birth defects monitoring programs developed under this Act. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Director of the CDC, to provide for the evaluation, and implementation of prevention strategies designed to reduce the incidence and effects of birth defects. Directs the Secretary to establish an Advisory Committee for Birth Defects Prevention. Requires the Secretary to report biennially to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources regarding birth defects. Subjects the provisions of this Act to requirements of the Privacy Act. Applies all Federal laws relating to the privacy of information to data and information collected under this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1995
Illinois Land Conservation Act of 1995 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) to establish the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie (MNP) to consist of portions of the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant (Arsenal) in Illinois and to be managed as part of the National Forest System. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) roads, utility rights-of-way, and access within the MNP; (2) agricultural leases and special use authorizations; (3) user fees; (4) salvage of improvements; (5) treatment of user fees and salvage receipts; and (6) cooperation with States, local governments, and other entities. Requires the Secretary of the Army to transfer the Arsenal property constituting the MNP, without reimbursement, to the Secretary. Permits the transfer of portions only for which no further action is required under environmental law and that have been eliminated from the areas to be studied further pursuant to the Defense Environmental Restoration Program for the Arsenal. Requires the Secretary of the Army to retain jurisdiction, authority, and control over real property at the Arsenal that is used for: (1) water treatment; (2) the treatment, storage, or disposal of hazardous substances or petroleum products or derivatives; and (3) response purposes or actions required under an environmental law to remediate contamination or noncompliance. Directs the Secretary of the Army to convey certain Arsenal property to: (1) the Department of Veterans Affairs to be used for a national cemetery; (2) the county of Will, Illinois, to be used for a landfill; and (3) the village of Elwood, Illinois, and the city of Wilmington, Illinois, to be used for industrial parks. Provides that use of such landfill by Federal agencies or additional acreage added for purposes of accommodating the disposal of materials from the restoration of the Arsenal shall be at no cost to the Federal Government. Requires such property to revert to the Secretary for inclusion in the MNP if the property is not operated as a landfill. Provides for the conveyance of specified other Arsenal property to be added to the MNP subject to the Secretary's acceptance. Directs the Secretary of the Army, with respect to the real property at the Arsenal, to remain liable for and continue to carry out all: (1) response actions required under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) and all remediation actions required under other environmental laws at or related to the property; and (2) actions required under other environmental laws to remediate petroleum products or their derivatives. Requires the Secretary of the Army to retain any obligation or liability at the Arsenal that he or she had under CERCLA and other environmental laws.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1995
Authorizes the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity to establish a memorial to Martin Luther King, Jr., in the District of Columbia and its environs. Prohibits the United States from paying any expense of establishing the memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 1995
Working Wage Increase Act of 1995 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the minimum wage per hour to: (1) $4.70 during the year beginning July 4, 1995; and (2) $5.15 after July 3, 1996.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1995
Repeals penalties for noncompliance by States with a program requiring the use of motorcycle helmets.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1995
Code of Conduct on Arms Transfers Act of 1995 - Prohibits U.S. military assistance and arms transfers to a foreign government unless the President certifies to the Congress that the government: (1) meets specified conditions regarding democracy, including that it was chosen by free and fair elections and promotes civilian control of the military, the rule of law, and respect for individual rights; (2) does not engage in human rights violations, investigates and prosecutes those responsible for human rights violations, permits access to political prisoners by international organizations, and provides access to such organizations in situations of conflict or famine; (3) is not engaged in acts of armed aggression in violation of international law; and (4) is participating in the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms. Authorizes an exemption from such prohibition for a fiscal year if: (1) the President requests an exemption from the Congress stating that it is in the national security interest to provide military assistance and arms transfers to a government; and (2) the Congress enacts a law approving such request. Requires the President to submit initial certifications and requests for exemptions in conjunction with the submission of the annual request for enactment of authorizations and appropriations for foreign assistance. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the House International Relations Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee should hold hearings on controversial certifications and all requests for exemptions.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1995
Declares that October 1996 should be designated as Roosevelt History Month.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1995
Commercial Aviation Fuel Tax Repeal Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the increase in tax on fuel used in commercial aviation scheduled to take effect after September 30, 1995.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1995
Equal Remedies Act of 1995 - Amends Federal law relating to damages in cases of intentional employment discrimination to remove the limits on the dollar amount of damages awardable for pecuniary and nonpecuniary losses and punitive damages.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain spouses a full deduction for contributions to an individual retirement account.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1995
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1995
Extends veterans benefits to an individual who served as a member of the U.S. merchant marine between August 16, 1945, and December 31, 1946, who, during that period, was licensed or otherwise documented by an officer or employee of the United States authorized to license or document such an individual as a crewmember of a vessel that at the time of service was: (1) operated by the War Shipping Administration or the Office of Defense Transportation, or an agent thereof; (2) operated in waters other than inland waters, the Great Lakes, other lakes, bays, and harbors of the United States; (3) under contract, charter to, or property of, the U.S. Government; and (4) serving the armed forces. Establishes application procedures. Requires the issuance of a certificate of honorable discharge, subject to the same standards relating to the nature and duration of service that apply to the honorable discharges issued under the GI Bill Improvement Act of 1977, to an individual who performed qualified service. Deems qualified service of an individual who receives an honorable discharge under this Act and who is not eligible under any other provision of law for benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to be active duty in the armed forces during a period of war for purposes of eligibility for benefits. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) reimbursement of the Secretary for the value of benefits that the Department of Veterans Affairs provides to an individual by reason of eligibility under this Act; and (2) an application processing fee.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1995
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the U.S. Attorney General should fully enforce the law and protect persons seeking to provide or obtain, or assist in providing or obtaining, reproductive health services from violent attack. Specifies that nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit any expressive conduct (including peaceful picketing or other peaceful demonstration) protected from legal prohibition by the First Amendment to the Constitution.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1995
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 - Amends the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 to: (1) extend its purview to educational and nonprofit institutions, Federal contractors, and tribal governments; (2) revise the authority and functions of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), specifying information dissemination and related agency oversight responsibilities; and (3) require OMB to conduct pilot projects to test alternative policies and procedures, and to develop a government wide strategic information resources management plan. Requires the OIRA Director to establish an Interagency Council on Statistical Policy. Requires each Federal agency to: (1) establish a process, independent of program responsibility, to evaluate proposed collections of information; (2) establish a permanent information resources management steering committee; and (3) ensure that the public has timely and equitable access to information products and services. Prohibits agencies, except where specifically authorized by statute, from: (1) establishing exclusive, restricted, or other distribution arrangements that interfere with timely and equitable public availability; (2) restricting or regulating the use, resale, or redissemination of public information by the public; (3) charging fees or royalties for resale or redissemination of public information; or (4) establishing user fees that exceed the cost of dissemination. Specifies actions agencies must take with respect to information technology. Replaces the Federal Information Locator System with an agency-based electronic Government Information Locator Service to identify the major information systems, holdings, and dissemination products of each agency. Reauthorizes appropriations for OIRA.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: All-Payer Fraud and Abuse Control Program Title II: Revisions to Current Sanctions for Fraud and Abuse Title III: Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions Title IV: Civil Monetary Penalties Title V: Amendments to Criminal Law Title VI: Payments For State Health Care Fraud Control Units Health Care Fraud Prevention Act of 1995 - Title I: All-Payer Fraud and Abuse Control Program - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish: (1) an all-payer fraud and abuse control program; and (2) standards, including information standards and disclosure standards, to carry out such program. Authorizes appropriations. Establishes, to carry out such program, the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Account (the Account), which shall consist of gifts, bequests, deposits, and transfers under certain health care offenses provisions of specified Acts. (Sec. 102) Provides for the application to any health plan of specified health anti-fraud and abuse provisions of part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Social Security Act. (Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary to annually solicit proposals for modification of, and modify, existing safe harbor rules. Permits any individual, at any time, to request a notice from the Inspector General (IG) which informs the public of practices which the IG considers to be suspect or of particular concern. (Sec. 104) Directs the Secretary to establish a program through which individuals entitled to Medicare benefits may confidentially report instances of suspected fraud. Title II: Revisions to Current Sanctions for Fraud and Abuse - Amends provisions of titles XI (General Provisions and Peer Review) and XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) provide for the mandatory exclusion of individuals with a felony fraud conviction from participation in Medicare and State health care programs; (2) establish a minimum period of exclusion for certain individuals and entities subject to permissive exclusion from Medicare and State health care programs; (3) provide for the permissive exclusion of individuals with ownership or control interest in sanctioned activities; (4) provide for a minimum period of exclusion for practitioners and individuals failing to meet statutory obligations; and (5) intermediate sanctions for Medicare health maintenance organizations. Title III: Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions - Directs the Secretary to provide for the establishment of a national health care fraud and abuse data collection program for the reporting of final adverse actions against health care providers, suppliers, or practitioners. Title IV: Civil Monetary Penalties - Provides, under part A of title XI of the Social Security Act, for: (1) the payment of the portion of amounts recovered under provisions of this Act into the Account; and (2) an increase in the civil monetary penalty. Subjects an excluded individual retaining an ownership or controlling interest in a Medicare or State health care program to such penalty. Permits the Secretary to impose a penalty on any individual (including any organization, but excluding a beneficiary) who knowingly receives any kickback or bribe in return for making a referral or purchasing equipment in a Medicare or State health care program. Title V: Amendments to Criminal Law - Amends the Federal criminal code provisions: (1) relating to mail fraud, to impose a fine or imprisonment for up to ten years or both in the case of health care fraud; (2) to provide for the forfeiture of property in certain Federal health care offenses; (3) provide for injunctive relief as specified; (4) provides for fines or imprisonment or both in connection with Federal health care offenses; (5) establish a voluntary disclosure program in connection with Federal health care offenses; and (6) provide penalties for obstructions of criminal investigations of Federal health care offenses, theft or embezzlement in connection with health care, and the laundering of monetary instruments in connection with a Federal health care offense. Title VI: Payments for State Health Care Fraud Control Units - Directs the Governor of each State to establish and maintain a State agency to act as a State Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Unit. Provides for specified Federal payments to the States for such agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1995
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) Taiwan deserves full participation, including a seat, in the United Nations (UN); and (2) the U.S. Government should encourage the UN to establish an ad hoc committee to study membership for Taiwan in the UN and its related agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Private Securities Litigation Title II: Financial Disclosure Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 - Title I: Private Securities Litigation - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Act) to prohibit brokers or dealers from soliciting or accepting referral fees from an attorney for obtaining the representation of a customer in any implied private action. Prohibits the use of disgorgement funds resulting from actions brought by the Securities Exchange Commission (the Commission) to pay legal expenses incurred by private parties seeking distribution of such funds. Modifies the guidelines for class action litigation, including: (1) recovery by named plaintiffs in the same manner as all other members of the class; (2) court determination of conflicts of interest on the part of counsel with a beneficial interest in the securities that are the subject of the litigation; (3) restrictions on settlements under seal; (4) restrictions on payment of attorney's fees from settlement funds; (5) disclosure of settlement terms to class members; (6) special verdicts; and (7) the threshold enabling a plaintiff to obtain certification as representative for the class. Prescribes procedural guidelines for alternative dispute resolution. Establishes a limitations period for implied private rights of action. Provides for a court-appointed guardian ad litem or class action steering committee to oversee counsel and settlement offers for the plaintiff class. Delineates the requirements for securities fraud actions. Amends the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations statute to exclude from its purview an action involving fraud in the sale of securities. Title II: Financial Disclosure - Directs the Commission to re-examine the regulatory and judicial framework with respect to predictive statements ("forward-looking statements") concerning the future economic performance of an issuer of securities. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to prescribe litigation procedures governing safe harbors for forward-looking statements. Modifies requirements for audits conducted by an independent public accountant of an issuer's financial statements to include procedures to: (1) detect illegal acts; (2) identify related party transactions material to financial statements; and (3) evaluate an issuer's ability to continue as a going concern. Sets forth notification and reporting guidelines for a public accountant who detects illegal activities during the course of an audit. Limits such auditor's liability for complying with such guidelines. Establishes civil penalties for an auditor's noncompliance with this Act. Modifies the allocation of damages scheme to distinguish between primary degrees of responsibility and the application of proportionate liability. Directs the Commission to establish a Public Auditing Self-Disciplinary Board (the Board). Prohibits a public accounting firm from furnishing an accountant's report on any document required to be filed with the Commission unless it has registered with the Board. Requires the Board to establish guidelines for: (1) investigations and disciplinary proceedings against public accounting firms; and (2) criteria for certification of public accountant peer review organizations. Grants the Commission responsibility for oversight of the Board. Includes within Board jurisdiction a foreign public accounting firm that furnishes accountant's reports on any document required to be filed with the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1995
Delays the effective date for imposition of penalties upon States that do not have in effect safety belt and motorcycle helmet traffic safety programs. Exempts a State from certain penalties for failing to meet requirements relating to motorcycle helmet laws if the State has in effect a motorcycle safety program.
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 1995
Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act - Prohibits funds for foreign assistance from being made available for any country whose government prohibits or restricts the transport or delivery of U.S. humanitarian assistance. Waives such prohibition if the President notifies the Congress that providing such assistance is in the national security interest. Provides for a resumption of assistance when the President certifies to the Speaker of the House and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that such country is no longer prohibiting or restricting such transports or deliveries.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1995
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Attorney General should fully enforce the law and take any necessary measures to protect from violent attack persons seeking to provide or obtain reproductive health services.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Legislative Accountability and Reform Title II: Regulatory Accountability and Reform Title III: Review of Unfunded Federal Mandates Title IV: Judicial Review Unfunded Mandate Reform Act of 1995 - Prohibits the application of this Act to any proposed Federal legislation or proposed or final Federal regulation that: (1) enforces the constitutional rights of individuals; (2) establishes or enforces any statutory rights that prohibit various specified types of discrimination; (3) requires compliance with accounting and auditing procedures with respect to grants or other money or property provided by the Federal Government; (4) provides for emergency assistance or relief at the request of any State, local, or tribal government (small government); or (5) is designed as emergency legislation or is necessary for national security or international treaty purposes. Requires each Federal agency to provide to the Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) such information and assistance as the Director may reasonably request to assist him or her in carrying out this Act. Title I: Legislative Accountability and Reform - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 and the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 with respect to unfunded Federal mandates. (Sec. 101) Includes tribal governments and the private sector within the purview of mandate analysis by CBO and congressional committees. Requires authorization committees to identify to CBO any Federal mandates in legislation ordered to be reported. Requires the report accompanying any reported legislation with a Federal mandate to contain statements on whether the legislation is intended to preempt any State, local, or tribal law (and the reasons for such intention), as well as individual mandate descriptions, cost-benefit analyses, and statements regarding Federal financial assistance to State, local, and tribal governments for meeting mandate costs. Requires the CBO Director, for each piece of legislation, to prepare and submit the authorizing committee certain statements estimating the direct costs of mandate compliance and the amount of new or increased Federal financial assistance needed to meet such costs, if the estimates indicate at least a $50 million per fiscal year direct cost of all intergovernmental mandates in the legislation, or a $200 million per fiscal year direct cost of private sector mandates. Makes it out of order for the Senate to consider: (1) any reported nonappropriations legislation unless it has a CBO Director report; or (2) any reported nonappropriations legislation containing a Federal intergovernmental mandate with direct costs exceeding the thresholds specified by this Act, unless it provides for new or increased budget, entitlement, or direct spending authority or makes other specified arrangements for each fiscal year to ensure that Federal funds equal or exceed the estimated direct costs of the mandate, or that State, local, and tribal programmatic and financial responsibilities are reduced so they do not exceed the amount of Federal funding. Gives the House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight and the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs final authority to determine questions on the applicability of this Act to pending bills, joint resolutions, amendments, motions, or conference reports. Requires the direct costs of a Federal mandate for a fiscal year to be determined based on estimates by congressional budget committees. Provides that it shall not be in order in the House of Representatives to consider a rule or order waiving application of these provisions to a bill or joint resolution reported by an authorization committee. (Sec. 102) Amends House rules with regard to the Committee of the Whole and Committee on Rules: (1) to make it always in order in the former to strike from the portion of any bill open to amendment any Federal mandate whose direct costs exceed the prescribed threshold; and (2) to require the latter to include in its reports on waived points of order a separate item identifying all waivers of points of order relating to Federal mandates. (Sec. 103) Provides that, at the request of any congressional committee, the CBO Director shall: (1) consult with and assist it in analyzing the budgetary or financial impact of any proposed legislation that may have a significant impact on the State, local, or tribal government involved or on the private sector; and (2) study any legislative proposal containing a Federal mandate. Requires the CBO Director to conduct continuing studies to enhance comparisons of budget outlays, credit authority, and tax expenditures. Requires any congressional committee that anticipates considering any legislative proposal establishing, amending, or reauthorizing any Federal program likely to have a significant impact on any State, local, or tribal government or on the private sector to include its views and estimates on that proposal to the applicable budget committee. (Sec. 104) Authorizes appropriations to CBO to carry out this Act. (Sec. 106) Repeals the State and Local Government Cost Estimate Act of 1981. Title II: Regulatory Accountability and Reform - Requires each Federal agency to: (1) assess the effects of Federal regulations on State, local, and tribal governments (other than to the extent that such regulations incorporate requirements specifically set forth in legislation) and the private sector, including specifically the availability of resources to carry out any Federal mandates in those regulations; and (2) seek to minimize those burdens that uniquely or significantly affect such governmental entities, consistent with achieving statutory and regulatory objectives. (Sec. 201) Directs each agency to permit elected officials and other representatives of State, local, and tribal governments to provide meaningful and timely input in the development of regulatory proposals containing significant Federal mandates. Requires each agency: (1) before establishing regulatory requirements, to develop plans for notifying small governments of such requirements; and (2) before promulgating any final rule that includes any Federal intergovernmental mandate that may result in State, local, or tribal government and private sector expenditures, in the aggregate, of $100 million or more in any one year, to prepare a written statement of specified estimates and analyses for forwarding to the CBO Director. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 204) Directs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to establish pilot programs in at least two agencies to test innovative approaches to reducing reporting and compliance burdens on small governments. Title III: Review of Unfunded Federal Mandates - Establishes the Commission on Unfunded Federal Mandates to investigate and review the role of unfunded Federal mandates in intergovernmental relations and their impact on local, State, and Federal government objectives and responsibilities. Requires the Commission to make recommendations to the President and the Congress with regard to: (1) consolidating or simplifying unfunded Federal mandates in order to facilitate compliance by State, local, and tribal governments, especially with respect to specific mandates for which the terms of compliance are unnecessarily rigid or complex; (2) terminating unfunded mandates which are duplicative, obsolete, or lacking in practical utility; and (3) temporarily suspending those unfunded mandates which are not vital to public health and safety and which compound the fiscal difficulties of State, local, and tribal governments. (Sec. 307) Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Judicial Review - Disallows judicial review under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Health Insurance Market Reform Subtitle A: Insurance Market Standards Subtitle B: Establishment and Application of Standards Subtitle C: Health Care Cost and Access Advisory Commission Subtitle D: Definitions Title II: Improving Access to Health Care Coverage Subtitle A: Coverage Under Qualified Health Plans and Premium Assistance Subtitle B: Self-Employed Health Insurance Deduction Title III: Improving Access in Rural Areas Subtitle A: Offfice of Rural Health Policy Subtitle B: Development of Telemedicine in Rural Underserved Areas Subtitle C: Rural Health Plan Demonstration Projects Subtitle D: Antitrust Safe Harbors for Rural Health Providers Title IV: Quality and Consumer Protection Subtitle A: Administrative Simplification Subtitle B: Privacy of Health Information Subtitle C: Enhanced Penalties for Health Care Fraud Subtitle D: Health Care Malpractice Reform Title V: Budget Neutrality Family Health Insurance Protection Act - Title I: Health Insurance Market Reform - Subtitle A: Insurance Market Standards - Prohibits a health plan, with specified exceptions, from denying, limiting, or conditioning its coverage (or benefits), or varying its premium, for an individual based on the health status, medical condition, claims experience, receipt of health care, medical history, anticipated need for health care services, disability, or lack of evidence of insurability. (Sec. 1002) Requires each health plan that offers coverage in the small group market or large employer market to guarantee enrollment in and renewal of (at the option of the individual or employer) such plan to each individual purchaser and employer. (Sec. 1003) Requires a health plan offering coverage in the small group market to comply with certain rating (premium rates) standards to be developed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). (Sec. 1004) Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish minimum guidelines for the issuance by each State of delivery system quality standards. Sets forth such guidelines, including: (1) establishing health plan quality assurance; (2) providing consumer protection for health plan enrollees; and (3) ensuring reasonable access for vulnerable populations in underserved areas. (Sec. 1005) Requires a sponsor of a health plan to offer a benchmark benefits package which covers specified health care items and services and provides for a cost-sharing schedule. Authorizes a sponsor to offer any other health benefits package. (Sec. 1006) Requires each health plan offering coverage in the small group market in a State to participate in a risk adjustment program. Subtitle B: Establishment and Application of Standards - Prohibits any requirement or standard imposed on a health plan under this Act from preempting any State consumer protection laws unless such laws conflict with such requirement or standard. (Sec. 1012) Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed as prohibiting States from enacting health care reform measures that exceed the measures established under this Act, including reforms that expand access to health care services, control health care costs, and enhance quality of care. (Sec. 1013) Requires the Secretary to make grants to States that submit applications that meet certain requirements for the establishment and operation of small group health insurance purchasing arrangements. Requires the Secretary in awarding such grants to consider the potential impact of the State's proposal on the cost of health insurance for the small group market and on the number of uninsured, and the need for regional variation in the award of such grants. Authorizes the use of grant funds to finance administrative costs associated with developing such arrangements. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1014) Directs States to require that each health plan issued, sold, offered for sale, or operated in such State meets the insurance reform standards established under this title pursuant to an enforcement plan filed by it with, and approved by, the Secretary. Subtitle C: Health Care Cost and Access Advisory Commission - Establishes the Health Care Cost and Advisory Commission to monitor and respond to trends in national health care spending and health insurance coverage. Requires the Commission to report annually to the Congress and the President on the status of health care spending and health insurance coverage in the nation. Sec. 1023) Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Definitions - Sets forth definitions. Title II: Improving Access to Health Care Coverage - Subtitle A: Coverage Under Qualified Health Plans and Premium Assistance - Part 1: Access to Qualified Health Plans - Requires States, in order to qualify for certain Federal payments, to establish a program under which a State: (1) makes available at least one qualifed health plan to each premium subsidy eligible individual residing there; and (2) furnishes premium assistance to such individual. (Sec. 2002) Requires the Secretary to issue regulations specifying requirements for State programs with respect to determining eligibility for premium assistance, including measures to prevent individuals from knowingly making material misrepresentations of information or providing false information in applications for assistance under the program. Requires a premium subsidy eligible individual who receives premium assistance to use such assistance only for payments toward the premium under a qualified State health plan. (Sec. 2011) Sets forth a formula for: (1) the amount of premium assistance for a month that a premium subsidy eligible individual shall receive; and (2) the maximum subsidy amount for a State. (Sec. 2012) Sets forth eligibility requirements for children and temporarily unemployed individuals to receive premium assistance. Part 2: Aggregate Federal Payments - Sets forth a formula for determining the amount of Federal payments to States for the payment of premium assistance under a qualified State health plan. Part 3: Definitions and Determinations of Income - Sets forth definitions. Subtitle B: Self-Employed Health Insurance Deduction - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the deduction for health insurance costs of self-employed individuals from 25 percent through 1996 to 50 percent in 1997 to 75 percent in 1998 and to 100 percent in 1999 and thereafter. Title III: Improving Access in Rural Areas - Subtitle A: Office of Rural Health Policy - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to mandate that the Office of Rural Health Policy of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) be headed by an Assistant Secretary for Rural Health, who shall report directly to the Secretary. Adds as one of the duties of the Assistant Secretary that he or she advise the Secretary on reforms to the health care system and their implications for rural areas. Transfers the functions, powers, duties, and authority of the Office of Rural Health Policy to the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Rural Health. Subtitle B: Development of Telemedicine in Rural Underserved Areas - Directs the Secretary to award grants to eligible entities to expand access to health care services for individuals in rural areas through the use of telemedicine. (Sec. 3102) Directs the White House Information Infrastructure Task Force to report to the Congress an evaluation of the cost effectiveness of telemedicine, including recommendations for a coordinated Federal strategy to increase access to health care through telemedicine. (Sec. 3103) Directs the Secretary to issue regulations regarding reimbursement for telemedicine services provided under title XVIII (Medicare) of the SSA. (Sec. 3104) Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Rural Health Plan Demonstration Projects - Directs the Secretary to establish not more than three demonstration projects for the designation of rural health plan areas. Subtitle D: Antitrust Safe Harbors for Rural Health Providers - Directs the Attorney General to establish, and publish in the Federal Register, policy guidelines to assist rural health care providers in complying with safe harbor requirements with respect to the provision of health care services in rural areas. Title IV: Quality and Consumer Protection - Subtitle A: Administrative Simplification - Part 1: Purpose and Definitions - Establishes a national framework for health information whose goal, through standardization of data elements, code sets, and electronic transactions, and by assuring a secure environment for the transmission and exchange of health information, is to reduce the burden of administrative complexity, paper work, and cost on the health care system, including Medicare under title XVIII and Medicaid under title XIX the SSA. Part 2: Standards for Data Elements and Information Transactions - Directs the Secretary to adopt standards for health information transactions and data elements. (Sec. 4012) Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations specifying procedures for the electronic transmission and authentication of signatures on medical records and prescriptions. Part 3: Requirements with Respect to Certain Transactions and Information - Sets forth specified requirements with respect to certain transactions conducted by a health plan or health care provider. Part 4: Accessing Health Information - Requires the Secretary to adopt technical standards for persons to locate and access health information that is available through the health information network. Part 5: Penalties - Sets forth penalties for violations committed under this subtitle. Part 6: Miscellaneous Provisions - Mandates that any provision, requirement, or standard under this subtitle supercede any contrary provision of State law (except State provisions governing the reporting of disease or injury, child abuse, birth, or death, public serveillance, or public health investigation or intervention). (Sec. 4052) Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Privacy of Health Information - Part 1: Defintions - Set forth definitions. Part 2: Authorized Disclosures - Subpart A: General Provisions - Sets forth requirements for the disclosure of protected health information by a health information trustee, or by a health care provider and person receiving such information, including a health information protection organization. Subpart B: Specific Disclosures Relating to Patient - Authorizes a health care provider, health plan, employer, or person who receives protected health information to disclose it to a health care provider for the purpose of providing health care (including emergency situations) to, or providing for the payment of such care for, an individual. Subpart C: Disclosure for Oversight, Public Health, and Research Purposes - Authorizes a health information trustee to disclose protected health information to a health oversight agency or to a health researcher. (Sec. 4117) Authorizes a health care provider, health plan, public health authority, employer, or person who receives protected health information to disclose it to a public health authority or other person authorized by law for use in: (1) disease or injury reporting; (2) public health surveillance; or (3) public health investigation or intervention. Subpart D: Disclosure for Judicial, Administrative, and Law Enforcement Purposes - Authorizes a health care provider, health plan, health oversight agency, employer, or person who receives protected health information to disclose it, (subject to a court's rules of procedure): (1) in connection with litigation where an individual's physical or mental condition is at issue; (2) in response to a court- ordered physical or mental examination; or (3) pursuant to a law requiring the reporting of specific medical information to law enforcement authorities. (Sec. 4122) Authorizes such entities or persons to disclose such information to law enforcement agencies. Subpart E: Disclosure Pursuant to Government Subpoena or Warrant - Authorizes a health care provider, health plan, health oversight agency, employer, or person who receives protected health information to disclose it pursuant to an administrative or judicial subpoena or warrant. Subpart F: Disclosure Pursuant to Party Subpoena - Authorizes a health care provider, health plan, employer, or person who receives protected health information to disclose it pursuant to a party subpoena. Part 3: Procedures for Ensuring Security of Protected Health Information - Subpart A: Establishment of Safeguards - Directs a health information trustee to establish administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to ensure the confidentiality of protected health information created or received by such trustee. Subpart B: Review of Protected Health Information By Subjects of the Information - Requires a health care provider or health plan to allow an individual who is the subject of protected health information to inspect any such information, with specified exceptions, that the provider or plan maintains. (Sec. 4142) Requires a health care provider or health plan, upon the written request of the subject individual, to correct or amend his or her protected health information. (Sec. 4143) Requires a health care provider or health plan to provide written notice of its information practices, including notice of individual rights with respect to protected health information. Part 4: Sanctions - Subpart A: Civil Sanctions - Sets forth civil penalties for violations of this subtitle. (Sec. 4152) Authorizes an individual who is aggrieved by the negligent conduct of a health information trustee to bring a civil action in court. Subpart B: Criminal Sanctions - Subjects to civil and criminal penalties any person who, in violation of this subtitle, knowingly: (1) obtains protected health information relating to an individual; or (2) discloses such information to another person. Part 5: Administrative Provisions - Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) preemption of State law with respect to the disclosure of protected health information; and (2) the rights of incompetents with respect to such information. Subtitle C: Enhanced Penalties for Health Care Fraud - Directs the Secretary to establish a program to: (1) coordinate Federal, State, and local law enforcement programs to control fraud and abuse with respect to the delivery of and payment for health care in the United States; (2) conduct investigations, audits, evaluations, and inspections relating to the delivery of and payment for such health care; (3) facilitate the enforcement of specified sections of the SSA and other applicable statutes with respect to health care fraud and abuse; and (4) provide for the modification and establishment of safe harbors, and to issue interpretative rulings and special fraud alerts. (Sec. 4201) Establishes a Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Account which shall comprise all criminal and administrative fines imposed in cases involving a Federal health care offense. (Sec. 4202) Amends SSA title XI to provide for the application of sanctions under the Medicare and Medicaid Fraud and abuse programs for all fraud and abuse against any health plan. Subjects any person (including any organization, agency, or other entity, but excluding a beneficiary) who violates a provision of this section to a civil monetary penalty. (Sec. 4203) Directs the Secretary to establish a national health care fraud and abuse data collection program for the reporting of final adverse actions (not including settlements in which no findings of liability have been made) against health care providers, suppliers, or practitioners. (Sec. 4204) Amends Federal criminal law to subject to civil and criminal penalties any person who knowingly executes, or attempts to execute, a scheme to: (1) defraud any health plan or other person, in connection with the delivery of or payment for health care benefits or services; or (2) obtain, by false pretenses, any money or property owned by, or under the control of, any health plan, or person in connection with the delivery of or payment for such health care or services. Subtitle D: Health Care Malpractice Reform - Declares that these provisions apply to any health care liability action (except damages for vaccine-related injury or death) brought in any Federal or State court. (Sec. 4302) Requires each State to adopt an alternative dispute resolution method for the resolution of health care malpractice claims and consumer grievances. (Sec. 4303) Limits attorney contingency fees and award amounts for noneconomic damages. (Sec. 4304) Authorizes a party to a medical malpractice liability action to petition the court to instruct the trier of fact to award any future damages on an appropriate periodic basis. (Sec. 4305) Requires 50 percent of any punitive damages awarded in a medical liability action to be paid to the State in which such action is brought to carry out: (1) licensing or cretifying health care professionals and providers; (2) implementing health care quality assurance and improvement programs; (3) reducing malpractice-related costs for providers volunteering to provide services in medically underserved sreas; and (4) providing resources for additional investigation and disciplinary activites. Title V: Budget Neutrality - Prohibits any provision of this Act from taking effect until legislation is enacted which provides for its Federal budget neutrality.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to apply the special treatment of livestock sold or involuntarily converted on account of drought conditions also to livestock sold or converted because of flood or other weather-related conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayer reporting on the cash receipts and disbursements method of accounting to elect to include in income crop insurance proceeds and disaster payments in the year of the disaster or in the following year.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Federal Commitment to Urban Economic Development Title II: Tax Incentives to Stimulate Urban Economic Development Title III: Community-Based Housing Development Title IV: Response to Urban Environmental Challenges Subtitle A: Environmental Cleanup Subtitle B: Environmental-Economic Recovery New Urban Agenda Act of 1995 - Title I: Federal Commitment to Urban Economic Development - Amends the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to require executive agencies to expend not less than 15 percent in a fiscal year for the purchase of goods from businesses located in empowerment zones, enterprise communities, or enterprise zones. Requires agencies, to the maximum extent practicable, to purchase recycled products from businesses located in such zones. (Sec. 102) Requires not less than 15 percent of foreign assistance provided in a fiscal year to be in the form of credits for the purchase of U.S. goods produced, manufactured, or assembled in such zones. (Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary of Commerce, in designating and providing financial assistance to Manufacturing Technology Outreach Centers, to give preference to centers located in such zones. (Sec. 104) Establishes a preference for the construction, improvement, or relocation of Federal facilities in distressed urban areas. Title II: Tax Incentives to Stimulate Urban Economic Development - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the offset for rental real estate activities under passive activity rules to increase the rehabilitation credit under such rules. (Sec. 202) Allows the rehabilitation investment credit to offset a portion of tentative minimum tax. (Sec. 203) Allows the issuance of tax-exempt facility bonds for sports facilities, convention or trade show facilities, freestanding parking facilities, air or water pollution control facilities, or industrial parks. Makes termination dates on such tax-exempt bonds inapplicable to bonds issued to finance manufacturing facilities. (Sec. 204) Increases the permitted amount of qualified small issue bonds for facilities to be used by related persons. (Sec. 205) Provides an exception to arbitrage interest rebate provisions if 100 percent of available construction proceeds are spent for governmental purposes within three years of the issuance of the tax-exempt bonds. Title III: Community-Based Housing Development - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to report to the Comptroller General on the feasibility of consolidating existing public and low-income housing programs into a comprehensive block grant system of Federal aid. Requires the Comptroller General to report to the Congress with an analysis of such report and recommendations. (Sec. 302) Provides, subject to the approval of both the unit of general local government and the local public housing agency, for the reconstruction of public housing dwelling units on the same property on which such units were demolished or disposed, and for the relocation of displaced tenants to such new units. Title IV: Response to Urban Environmental Challenges - Subtitle A: Environmental Cleanup - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to exclude local governments that are owners or operators of facilities in distressed urban areas from liability under such Act. Requires the President to establish standards for the degree of cleanup of hazardous substances, pollutants, and contaminants released into the environment for facilities located in distressed urban areas. Subtitle B: Environmental-Economic Recovery - Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to make no more than three loans to units of local government for distressed urban areas for the establishment of facilities to dispose of, and obtain inexpensive electrical power and steam from, solid waste. Requires a report to the Congress on the results of financing such facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require the Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to: (1) analyze each bill or joint resolution reported in the Senate or the House of Representatives to determine the cost to State and local governments of complying with any Federal mandates in the reported measure and the extent to which Federal funds cover such costs; and (2) annually determine the cumulative costs of complying with Federal mandates in all bills or joint resolutions enacted in the preceding year and the extent to which Federal funds cover such costs. Amends rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate to make it out of order in the Senate to consider a report accompanying a public bill or joint resolution reported by any committee (except the Committees on Appropriations and the Budget) if it does not contain a CBO evaluation of the cost to State and local governments of complying with any Federal mandates in the measure.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Requires the Senate and the House of Representatives, by the end of the first session of the 104th Congress, to: (1) adopt a concurrent resolution on the budget for FY 1996 through 2003; and (2) enact all necessary authorizing and appropriations legislation that would balance the Federal budget by the beginning of FY 2003.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Division A: Extension of Rights and Protections, and Associated Procedures Title I: Extension of Rights and Protections, and Associated Procedures Title II: Office of Congressional Fair Employment Practices--Establishment and Operations Title III: Administrative and Judicial Dispute-Resolution Procedures Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions Division B: Lobbying and Gift Reform Title I: Lobbying Reform Title II: Congressional Gift Reform Division C: Campaign Finance Reform Title I: Congressional Campaign Spending Limit and Election Reform Subtitle A: Control of Congressional Campaign Spending Subtitle B: Independent Expenditures Subtitle C: Expenditures Subtitle D: Contributions Subtitle E: Miscellaneous Subtitle F: Effective Dates, Authorizations Comprehensive Congressional Reform Act of 1995 - Division A: Extension of Rights and Protections, and Associated Procedures - Title I: Extension of Rights and Protections, and Associated Procedures - Requires all personnel actions affecting covered employees to be made free from any discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or handicap or disability. Defines a "covered employee" as an employee of the House of Representatives, the Senate, the Architect of the Capitol, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA), or the Office of Congressional Fair Employment Practices (the Office). Provides that any intimidation of, or reprisal against, any covered employee because of the exercise of a right under this Act constitutes an unlawful employment practice. Makes available the relief awarded under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or a specified section of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), as appropriate, for discrimination violations affecting covered employees. Prohibits punitive damages for such violations. Bars a covered employee from commencing an administrative or judicial proceeding to seek a remedy for prohibited practices, except as provided under this Act. Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the ADEA to apply their protection and remedies to the Government Printing Office (GPO) and the General Accounting Office (GAO). Extends coverage under the ADA to GPO and GAO as well. (Sec. 102) Applies the rights, protections, and relief of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA), the Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988 (EPPA), the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN), and veterans' employment and reemployment rights to covered employees, GAO, and the Library of Congress. Applies the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) to covered employees and GPO. (Sec. 107) Establishes the following exclusive procedures for remedy of violations of the laws described above: (1) employee counseling; (2) mediation; (3) filing of a formal complaint with the Office or filing of a civil action in the U.S. district court; and (4) appealing to the Board of Directors of the Office if aggrieved by a decision or to the U.S. Court of Appeals for review, subject to certain conditions. (Sec. 108) Applies the rights and protections against discrimination in the provision of public services under the ADA to the Senate, the House, congressional joint committees, the Architect of the Capitol, the Capitol Guide Service, the Capitol Police, CBO, OTA, and the Office. Applies such rights and protections to any qualified individual with a disability, except that, with respect to claims of employment discrimination asserted by a covered employee, the exclusive remedies described above shall apply. Makes relief under such Act available for such violations and describes procedures to remedy such violations, including filing a charge with the General Counsel of the Office, mediation, and judicial review. Makes specified remedies and procedures under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 available to disabled visitors, guests, or patrons of instrumentalities of the Congress (GAO, GPO, and the Library) who allege violations under ADA provisions described by this section. (Sec. 109) Directs each employing office (including GAO and the Library) and covered employee to comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) and applies such Act's duties, rights, protections, and remedies (except penalties) to such offices and employees. Establishes procedures for such remedies, including granting the General Counsel and the Board certain authorities exercised by the Secretary of Labor under such Act. (Sec. 110) Applies the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute to employing offices and covered employees. Grants the Board and the General Counsel specified authorities under the Statute. (Sec. 111) Requires the Board of the Office to: (1) review provisions of Federal laws and regulations relating to the terms and conditions of employment (including protection from discrimination in personnel actions, health and safety, and family and medical leave) of employees and access to public services and accommodations; and (2) report on December 31, 1996, and biennially thereafter, on whether or to what degree such provisions are applicable or inapplicable to the legislative branch and, if inapplicable, whether they should be made applicable. Requires each report of a congressional committee accompanying any bill or joint resolution to: (1) describe the manner in which the provisions of the bill or joint resolution apply to the Congress and congressional instrumentalities; or (2) if the provisions do not apply, include a statement of the reasons why. (Sec. 112) Directs the Board to study the application of the following laws to GAO, GPO, the Library , and other entities in the legislative branch not covered by all the sections of this title: (1) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; (2) the ADEA; (3) the ADA; (4) the FMLA; (5) the FLSA; (6) the OSHA; (7) the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; (8) the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute; (9) the General Accounting Office Personnel Act of 1980; (10) the EPPA; (11) the WARN; and (12) provisions relating to veterans' employment and reemployment rights. Title II: Office of Congressional Fair Employment Practices-Establishment and Operations - Establishes the Office of Congressional Fair Employment Practices within the legislative branch. (Sec. 207) Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Administrative and Judicial Dispute-Resolution Procedures - Sets forth procedures for counseling, mediation, hearings, appeals to the Board, judicial review of Board decisions, and civil actions relating to violations described under title I. (Sec. 307) Sets deadlines for: (1) making counseling requests; and (2) charging discrimination in public services or discrimination in exercising rights relating to occupational safety and health. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Establishes Settlements and Awards Reserve appropriation accounts in the Contingent Funds of the House and the Senate. Makes amounts in such accounts available for the payment of awards for settlements made under this Act. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 403) Prohibits judicial review of actions taken pursuant to this Act, except in proceedings authorized under title III. (Sec. 406) Provides that it shall not be a violation of any provision to consider the party affiliation, domicile, or political compatibility, with respect to employment decisions, of employees who are: (1) on the staff of the House or Senate leadership; (2) on the staff of congressional committees, joint committees, or subcommittees; (3) on the staff of Members of the House or Senators; (4) officers of the House or the Senate or elected or appointed congressional staff; or (5) applicants for any such positions. (Sec. 407) Directs the Senate Select Committee on Ethics and the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct to retain full power with respect to the discipline of Members, officers, and employees for violating rules of the Senate and the House on nondiscrimination in employment. (Sec. 410) Sets forth transitional provisions with respect to certain existing claims. Division B: Lobbying and Gift Reform - Title I: Lobbying Reform - Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 - Requires registration with the Office of Lobbying Registration and Public Disclosure (Office) established by this Act by any individual lobbyist (or the individual's employer, if it employs one or more lobbyists) within 30 days after the individual first makes, or is employed or retained to make, a lobbying contact with either the President, the Vice President, a Member of Congress, or any other specified Federal officer or employee. Defines a lobbyist as any individual employed or retained by a client for financial or other compensation for services that include one or more lobbying contacts (but not an individual whose lobbying activities constitute less than ten percent of the time engaged in the services provided to that client). Provides for: (1) special registration filing rules in cases involving multiple clients and contacts; and (2) registration termination in cases where a registrant is no longer employed or retained by a client to conduct lobbying activities, and does not anticipate any additional lobbying activities for such client. (Sec. 1104) Specifies the contents of such registration and reports. (Sec. 1105) Requires registrants to file semiannual lobbying activity reports with the Office. Provides for: (1) exemptions from such registration and reporting requirements in cases involving lobbying income of $2,500 or less (for a particular client) or total expenses of $5,000 or less (for all lobbying activities of a registrant whose employees lobby on its own behalf) for the semiannual period. Requires periodic adjustment of such dollar amounts for inflation. (Sec. 1106) Provides for special rules generally prohibiting registrants under this Act and the Foreign Agents Registration Act from providing gifts (including meals, lodging, transportation, entertainment, reimbursements, loans, or forbearance) to any covered legislative branch official, or to the spouse, dependent, friend, or relative of such an official if it is given with the knowledge and acquiescence of such official and is given because of his or her position. Permits certain such items under prescribed circumstances, such as lawful political contributions and informational materials sent to the official's office, and gifts given for a nonbusiness purpose and motivated by family relationship or close personal friendship. (Sec. 1107) Establishes the Office as an executive agency, and specifies its duties, including making public the semiannual lobbyist activity reports. (Sec. 1108) Establishes procedures for: (1) determining and resolving alleged violations of this Act; and (2) judicial review of Office decisions. (Sec. 1113) Amends the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 to: (1) eliminate references to political propaganda and, in certain cases, replace them with references to informational materials; and (2) modify registration exemption provisions. (Sec. 1114) Revises (Byrd Amendment) requirements for a declaration by persons requesting or receiving a Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement with respect to any payments made in connection with it which would be prohibited if made with appropriated funds. Requires, in lieu of information currently required, the: (1) name of any registrant under this Act who has made lobbying contacts on behalf of the person with respect to that Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement; and (2) certification that the declarant has not made, and will not make, any prohibited payment. (Sec. 1115) Repeals: (1) the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act; and (2) provisions on lobbyist activities of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act and the Housing Act of 1949. (Sec. 1118) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1119) Sets forth special rules for the identification of: (1) foreign and other clients on whose behalf lobbying contacts are made with a covered legislative or executive branch official; and (2) such covered officials. (Sec. 1121) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to the Congress on differences in meaning between this Act and the Internal Revenue Code of "lobbying activities," "lobbying expenditures," "influencing legislation," and related terms. (Sec. 1122) Requires the President to appoint an interim Director of the Office within 30 days after enactment of this Act. Title II: Congressional Gift Reform - Amends rule XXXV of the Standing Rules of the Senate to prohibit any Member, officer, or employee of the Senate from knowingly accepting a gift from: (1) a registered lobbyist, lobbying firm, or agent of a foreign principal in violation of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1994; or (2) any person, subject to exceptions listed in this Act. (Currently, such individuals and their spouses are allowed to accept gifts totalling up to $250 from any one person.) Considers a gift to a spouse or dependent of a Member, officer, or employee to be a gift to the Member, officer, or employee if given with their knowledge and acquiescence and if there is reason to believe that the gift was given because of their official positions. Lists items exempt from the restriction on gifts from persons other than lobbyists, lobbying firms, or agents of foreign principals, including: (1) anything provided on the basis of a personal or family relationship unless the Member, officer, or employee has reason to believe that the gift was provided because of his or her official position; (2) unused items that are promptly returned to the donor; (3) food or refreshments believed to have a value of less than $20; (4) food, lodging, and other benefits resulting from the outside business or employment activities of a Member, officer, or employee or their spouses if such benefits have not been offered or enhanced because of the recipient's official position; (5) such benefits customarily provided by a prospective employer in connection with bona fide employment discussions or by a political organization in connection with a fund raising or campaign event; (6) certain awards or prizes given in contests open to the public; (7) certain honorary degrees and other awards; (8) donations of products from the Member's State that are intended for promotional purposes and are of minimal value as well as food, refreshments, and entertainment provided in the home State, subject to reasonable limitations; (9) certain training; (10) bequests and inheritances; (11) anything paid for by the Government or by a State or local government or secured under a Government contract; (12) a gift of personal hospitality; (13) free attendance at an event, as permitted by this Act; and (14) certain other opportunities and benefits. Establishes conditions under which a Member, officer, or employee may accept an offer of free attendance at a convention, dinner, or similar event. Prohibits the acceptance of a gift exceeding $250 on the basis of the personal relationship or friendship exception unless the Select Committee on Ethics determines that such exception applies. Provides that certain reimbursements to a Member, officer, or employee for travel expenses to an event in connection with official duties shall not be considered as gifts if advance authorization to accept reimbursement is received and the reimbursement and authorization are disclosed within a specified time period. (Sec. 1202) Makes parallel amendments to the Rules of the House of Representatives to reflect conforming gift restrictions. (Sec. 1203) Amends the Ethics in Government Act to provide that reimbursements deemed accepted by the Senate or the House and reported as required under such rules need not be reported under such Act. Authorizes the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration to accept gifts provided they do not involve any duty, burden, or condition, or are not made dependent upon some future performance by the United States. Division C: Campaign Finance Reform - Title I: Congressional Campaign Spending Limit and Election Reform - Congressional Campaign Spending Limit and Election Reform Act of 1995 - Subtitle A: Control of Congressional Campaign Spending Part 1: Senate Election Campaign Spending Limits and Benefits - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to make Senate candidates who meet certain filing requirements and contribution and expenditure limits eligible for FECA benefits. Limits Senate primary expenditures for a candidate (or his or her authorized committees) to the lesser of: (1) 67 percent of the general election expenditure limit; or (2) $2.75 million. Limits runoff expenditures. Sets a threshold contribution amount which triggers application of such primary and runoff limits. Limits the use by a Senate candidate (or authorized committees), during an entire election cycle, of the candidate's personal (or family) funds (including debt). Limits aggregate general election expenditures by an eligible Senate candidate (or authorized committees) to the lesser of: (1) $5.5 million; or (2) the greater of $1.2 million, or $4,000,000 plus 30 cents times the voting age population up to 4 million and 25 cents times the voting age population over 4 million. Exempts from the general election expenditure limit qualified accounting and legal expenditures. Entitles eligible Senate candidates to certain broadcast media rates, and in certain circumstances, payments compensating for independent expenditures and excess expenditures on behalf of the candidate's opponent. Requires the Federal Election Commission (Commission) to certify an eligible Senate candidate within 48 hours after his or her application to the Secretary of the Senate. Requires the Commission to examine and audit, for FECA compliance, the campaign accounts of five percent of all Senate and House of Representatives candidates, and the campaign accounts of all opponents of such candidates as well. Requires candidates to refund to the Commission any excess payments or expenditures. Sets civil penalties for excess expenditures and contributions. Provides for judicial review of Commission actions and requires Commission reports to the Senate. Requires closed captioning for eligible Senate candidates' television commercials. Authorizes reduced candidate payments under circumstances of insufficient funds. (Sec. 10002) Prohibits Senate election activities by political action committees (PACs). Reduces from $5,000 to $1,000 the maximum aggregate contributions of any PAC to a Senate candidate (or authorized committees). Makes it unlawful for aggregate PACs to contribute to any Senate candidate (or authorized committees) more than the lesser of: (1) $825,000; or (2) 20 percent of the aggregate Federal election spending limit. Requires annual adjustments of such dollar amounts according to a specified price index. (Sec. 10003) Sets forth reporting requirements for Senate candidates not eligible for FECA benefits. Requires reports to the Secretary within two days of any contributions raised and expenditures made in excess of FECA limits. Requires any candidate for the Senate who, during the election cycle, exceeds limits on the use of personal and immediate family funds, and on personal loans incurred by the candidate and the candidate's immediate family, to report to the Secretary of the Senate within two days after such expenditures have been made or loans incurred. Requires certain expenditure reports from any Senate candidate who held Federal, State, or local office during the same election cycle, and made any expenditures, before becoming a Senate candidate, which would have been treated as Senate candidate expenditures. (Sec. 10004) Requires Senate candidates ineligible for FECA benefits to place on every paid or authorized political commercial or communication the declaration: "This candidate has not agreed to voluntary campaign spending limits." Part II: General Provisions - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require a broadcast station to make broadcast time available to all House and Senate candidates in the last 30 (currently 45) days before a primary at the lowest unit charge of the station for the same amount of time (currently, the same class and amount of time) for the same period on the same date. Allows Senate candidates to purchase broadcast time at 50 percent of the lowest unit rate for the 60 days before a general election. Prohibits broadcasters from preempting advertisements sold to political candidates at the lowest unit rate, unless the preemption is beyond the broadcaster's control. (Sec. 10012) Amends FECA to set forth reporting requirements for certain independent expenditures. (Sec. 10015) Amends Federal law to prohibit a Senator who is a candidate for election to any public office from making a mass mailing under the frank during the calendar year of any primary or general election for such office. Subtitle B: Independent Expenditures - Amends FECA to define "independent expenditure" as an expenditure for an advertisement or other communication that: (1) contains express advocacy; and (2) is made without the participation or cooperation of a candidate or a candidate's representative. Excludes from the meaning of "independent expenditure" any expenditure by: (1) a political committee of a political party; (2) persons who communicate or receive information about activities that have a purpose of influencing a candidate's election; and (3) persons with other specified relationships with a candidate or candidate's agents in the same election cycle. Defines "express advocacy" as any communication that when taken as a whole: (1) expresses support for or opposition to a specific candidate, a specific group of candidates, or candidates of a particular political party; or (2) suggests taking action with respect to an election, such as voting for or against, contributing to, or participating in campaign activity. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to provide for equal broadcast time, including notification and opportunity to purchase equal time on an independent expenditure basis. Subtitle C: Expenditures - Part I: Personal Loans; Credit - Amends FECA to prohibit the use of contributions after the date of a general election to repay loans to a candidate (or authorized committee) by the candidate himself or herself or by members of the candidate's family. Treats as a contribution any extension of credit of more than $1,000 for more than 60 days to candidates for Federal office (or authorized committees) by political advisers. Part II: Provisions Relating to Soft Money of Political Parties - Amends FECA to define: (1) "generic campaign activity" as a campaign activity on behalf of a party rather than a candidate; and (2) "State Party Grass Roots Fund" as a segregated State fund on behalf of a Federal candidate. (Sec. 10034) Permits maximum contributions to a State Party Grassroots Fund of: (1) $20,000 by an individual; and (2) $15,000 from a multicandidate committee. Establishes an overall $60,000 annual limit on individual contributions, including specified limits for: (1) candidates and their political committees; and (2) State committees. (Sec. 10035) Subjects to certain limitations, prohibitions, and reporting requirements any amount solicited, received, or expended directly or indirectly by a national, State, district, or local committee of a political party (including any subordinate committee) with respect to an activity (such as voter registration and get-out-the vote activities among others) which, in whole or in part, is in connection with an election to Federal office. Limits the expenditures for which a State committee may use its State Party Grassroots Fund. (Sec. 10036) Prohibits Federal candidates and officeholders from soliciting contributions not subject to FECA. Restricts on solicitations from tax-exempt organizations. (Sec. 10037) Requires: (1) a national committee and a congressional campaign committee to report all receipts and disbursements whether or not in connection with a Federal election; and (2) other specified political committees to report all receipts and disbursements in connection with a Federal election. Subtitle D: Contributions - Specifies circumstances in which contributions made or arranged to be made directly or indirectly by a person to or on behalf of a particular candidate through an intermediary or conduit shall be treated as contributions from such intermediary or conduit to the candidate (thus subjecting them to the FECA limitations otherwise applicable to that intermediary or conduit). Requires an intermediary or conduit to report the original source, contributor, and intended recipient of each forwarded contribution. Prohibits certain lobbyist contributions. (Sec. 10042) Treats contributions by a dependent not of voting age as having been made by the individual on whom that dependent is a dependent. (Sec. 10043) Prohibits a candidate for Federal office from accepting, with respect to any election, any contribution from a State or local political party committee (or subordinate committee) if such contribution, when added to the total of contributions previously accepted from all such committees of that political party, exceeds the relevant contribution limitation. (Sec. 10044) Makes it unlawful to coerce contributions or expenditures by physical threat or other intimidation. (Sec. 10045) Prohibit acceptance by a candidate of cash contributions from any one person aggregating more than $100. Subtitle E: Miscellaneous - Prohibits Federal candidates and officeholders from establishing, maintaining, or controlling any political committee (such as a "leadership committee") other than a principal campaign committee of the candidate, authorized committee, party committee, or other political committee designated as an authorized committee. (Sec. 10052) Directs the Commission to study and report to the Congress on the feasibility of developing telephonic voting for persons with disabilities. (Sec. 10053) Exempts certain tax-exempt organizations from specified corporate expenditure limits. (Sec. 10055) Requires exact copies of campaign advertising that refers to a candidate's opponent to be filed with the Commission and the Secretary of State of the candidate's State. (Sec. 10056) Amends Federal law to prohibit a Member of Congress, during an election year, from using the franking privilege for a mass mailing from January 1 until the general election date. Subtitle F: Effective Dates; Authorizations - Sets forth the general effective date of this Act. Provides for direct, expedited appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court from any court rulings on the constitutionality of any provision of this Act or amendment made by it.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Ending the Cycle of Intergenerational Dependency Title II: Parental Responsibility Title III: Combating Teenage Pregnancy Title IV: Financing Teen Pregnancy Prevention and Parental Responsibility Act - Title I: Ending the Cycle of Intergenerational Dependency - Amends title IV part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require appropriate adult-supervised supportive living arrangements for minors (and their children, if any) as a condition of their receiving AFDC. (Sec. 102) Amends SSA title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) to entitle each State to funds to establish, operate, and support adult-supervised group homes for custodial parents under age 19 and their children. Sets forth provisions for payments of allotments to States, payments to Indian tribes, receipt of payments by such homes, and submission of recommendations on usage of Government surplus properties for such homes. (Sec. 103) Requires completion of high school or other training for teenage parents as a condition of receiving AFDC. Allows a State the option of requiring some or all custodial parents and pregnant women who have not attained 19 years of age (or at the State's option, 21) and who are receiving AFDC to participate in a program of additional monetary incentives and penalties. (Sec. 104) Requires drug treatment and counseling as part of the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS) program under AFDC. Title II: Parental Responsibility - Amends SSA title IV part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) to provide performance-based incentive adjustments to the Federal matching rate for statewide paternity establishment efforts. Provides for Federal financial participation for all of a State's paternity establishment services. (Sec. 202) Adds to the statutorily prescribed procedures to improve effectiveness of child support enforcement, which a State is required to have in order to receive part D matching funds, procedures under which the State may withhold or suspend various sorts of licenses. (Secs. 203) Revises part D requirements for State laws: (1) concerning paternity establishment; and (2) providing expedited procedures. (Sec. 205) Provides for outreach for voluntary paternity establishment, through part D State plan requirements, enhanced Federal matching funds, and State outreach as part of voluntary consent procedures. Directs the Departments of Education and of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Public Health Service to develop and implement a substantial outreach program and media campaign to reinforce paternity establishment's importance and promote parenting as a joint right and responsibility. Authorizes appropriations for such program. Title III: Combating Teenage Pregnancy - Amends SSA title IV part A (AFDC) to allow each State agency to provide for eligible entities' operation of projects to reduce teen pregnancy. Allows Indian tribes and Alaska native entities to apply to the Secretary of HHS to operate such projects. Directs the Secretary of HHS to study and report to the Congress annually on the effectiveness of different approaches used in such projects. Authorizes appropriations. Entitles each State to a specified payment of the Federal share of the cost of such projects. (Sec. 302) Directs the Secretaries of Education and of HHS and the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service to establish a National Clearinghouse on Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Programs. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Financing - Sets forth SSA uniform eligibility criteria for aliens to qualify for Federal and federally-assisted public assistance under AFDC, supplemental security income (SSI), and Medicaid programs. Allows State and local governments to make an alien ineligible for any of their assistance programs based on need unless such alien is a qualified alien under such SSA criteria. (Sec. 402) Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to extend the duration of a specified formula covering State retention of certain amounts recovered.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Job Training Account System Title II: Elimination of Federal Job Training Programs Title III: Information for Better Choices Title IV: Reports and Plans Working Americans Opportunity Act - Title I: Job Training Account System - Directs the Secretaries of Labor and of Education to establish a job training account system that provides vouchers to individuals for job training and employment related services. (Sec. 102) Allows an individual to: (1) receive such a voucher of $3,000 for two years beginning on the date of application approval; and (2) use such voucher to purchase authorized job training or employment-related services. (Sec. 103) Makes individuals eligible for such vouchers if they are dislocated workers or economically disadvantaged adults. (Sec. 104) Requires each State to establish or designate easily accessible voucher application offices to assist in administering the training account system. Allows such offices to be administered by private for-profit or nonprofit or public entities. Requires such offices to provide: (1) performance-based information on service providers; and (2) information on local economy,employment, industries, and labor market demand. Requires conflict of interest standards for such offices that are concurrently eligible service providers. Expresses the sense of the Congress that, as States become more experienced in such voucher administration, such offices should be converted to one-stop assistance centers. (Sec. 105) Requires the Secretaries to issue oversight and accountability regulations relating to such vouchers. (Secs. 106 and 107) Sets forth eligibility requirements for providers of job training or employment-related services, including requirements for submission of performance-based information. (Sec. 108) Directs the Secretaries to evaluate annually the training account system and the one-stop assistance centers under title III, and report to the appropriate congressional committees. (Sec. 109) Provides for apportionment of system funds to States based on relative numbers of: (1) unemployed individuals; (2) excess unemployed individuals; (3) individuals who have been unemployed for 15 weeks or more; and (4) economically disadvantaged adults. Requires at least 75 percent of such funds to be made available as vouchers; but waives this requirement if a State provides non-voucher job training and employment-related services which the Secretary of Labor considers more beneficial in meeting the self-determined training needs of individuals. Requires the remaining balance of such funds to be used for certain authorized employment-related services provided through means other than voucher. Directs the Secretaries to determine the equitable distribution of such voucher and non-voucher assistance between dislocated workers and economically disadvantaged adults. Title II: Elimination of Federal Job Training Programs - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the elimination and streamlining of Federal job training programs should not reduce Federal commitment and effort to improve education, employment, and earnings of all workers and jobseekers, particularly those in hard-to- serve communities. Repeals specified employment training program provisions under the Job Training Partnership Act, Food Stamp Act of 1977, Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, Displaced Homemakers Self- Sufficiency Assistance Act, Airline Deregulation Act of 1978, and other specified Federal law relating to certain workers affected by an expansion of Redwood National Park in California. (Sec. 202) Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Information for Better Choices - Allows a State to use funds for non-voucher employment services under this Act to make arrangements with private or public entities to establish assistance centers to provide employment and training information and employment- related services to voucher recipients, job seekers, employers, and workers. Allows such an assistance center to serve as a voucher assistance application location, which may be within an existing unemployment office. (Sec. 302) Authorizes the Secretaries to make arrangements with public or private entities to develop and provide relevant regional labor market information to interested individuals. (Sec. 303) Directs the Department of Education to try to make known the value and availability of direct loans through the Federal Direct Student Loan Program under the Higher Education Act of 1965, through cooperative arrangements with training and educational training programs, assistance centers, State agencies, and other Federal agencies. Title IV: Reports and Plans - Directs the Secretaries to report annually to the Congress on how additional Federal job training programs not covered by this Act can be consolidated into a more integrated, accountable, and effective workforce development system. Directs the Secretaries to develop a plan that, wherever practicable, requires all Federal job training programs not covered by this Act to use common definitions, outcome measures, eligibility standards, and funding cycles. (Sec. 402) Directs the Secretary of Labor to report to the Congress on the need for income support, and options for providing it, to enable dislocated workers and economically disadvantaged adults to participate in long-term job training.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Constitutional Amendment - Requires a balanced Federal budget, unless a three-fifths roll call vote of both Houses of Congress provides for a specific excess of outlays over receipts. Prohibits an increase in the public debt limit except by a three-fifths roll call vote by both Houses of Congress. Requires the President to submit a balanced budget to the Congress. Prohibits any bill increasing revenue from becoming law unless approved by a majority roll call vote of both Houses.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Federal Commitment to Urban Economic Development Title II: Tax Incentives to Stimulate Urban Economic Development Title III: Community Regulatory Relief Title IV: Community-Based Housing Development Title V: Response to Urban Environmental Challenges Subtitle A: Environmental Cleanup Subtitle B: Environmental-Economic Recovery New Urban Agenda Act of 1994 - Title I: Federal Commitment to Urban Economic Development - Amends the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to require executive agencies to expend not less than 15 percent in a fiscal year for the purchase of goods from businesses located in empowerment zones, enterprise communities, or enterprise zones. Requires agencies, to the maximum extent practicable, to purchase recycled products from businesses located in such zones. (Sec. 102) Requires not less than 15 percent of foreign assistance provided in a fiscal year to be for the purchase of U.S. goods produced, manufactured, or assembled in such zones. (Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary of Commerce, in designating and providing financial assistance to Manufacturing Technology Outreach Centers, to give preference to centers located in such zones. (Sec. 104) Establishes a preference for the construction, improvement, or relocation of Federal facilities in distressed urban areas. Title II: Tax Incentives to Stimulate Urban Economic Development - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the offset for rental real estate activities under passive activity rules to increase the rehabilitation credit under such rules. (Sec. 202) Allows the rehabilitation investment credit to offset a portion of tentative minimum tax. (Sec. 203) Allows the issuance of tax-exempt facility bonds for sports facilities, convention or trade show facilities, freestanding parking facilities, air or water pollution control facilities, or industrial parks. Makes termination dates on such tax-exempt bonds inapplicable to bonds issued to finance manufacturing facilities. (Sec. 204) Increases the permitted amount of qualified small issue bonds for facilities to be used by related persons. (Sec. 205) Provides an exception to arbitrage interest rebate provisions if 100 percent of available construction proceeds are spent for governmental purposes within three years of the issuance of the tax-exempt bonds. Title III: Community Regulatory Relief - Provides that any requirement under a Federal statute or regulation which creates a Federal mandate shall apply to State or local government only if all funds necessary to pay the direct costs incurred by the government in conducting the activity are provided by the Federal Government for the fiscal year in which the direct cost is incurred. Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to analyze the effects of each bill or resolution on each state and local government's compliance with a Federal mandate. Requires each measure reported or considered in either House of the Congress to be accompanied by such analyses. Requires reports by the Director to the President and the Congress estimating the direct costs of such compliance for each fiscal year in which a Federal mandate will be in effect. Title IV: Community-Based Housing Development - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to increase section 8 rental subsidies. (Sec. 402) Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to report to the Comptroller General on the feasibility of consolidating existing public and low-income housing programs into a comprehensive block grant system of Federal aid. Requires the Comptroller General to report to the Congress with an analysis of such report and recommendations. (Sec. 403) Provides, when practicable, for the reconstruction of public housing dwelling units on the same property on which such units were demolished or disposed, and for the relocation of displaced tenants to such new units. Title V: Response to Urban Environmental Challenges - Subtitle A: Environmental Cleanup - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to exclude local governments that are owners or operators of facilities in distressed urban areas from liability under such Act. Requires the President to establish standards for the degree of cleanup of hazardous substances, pollutants, and contaminants released into the environment for facilities located in distressed urban areas. Subtitle B: Environmental-Economic Recovery - Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to make no more than three loans to units of local government for distressed urban areas for the establishment of facilities to dispose of, and obtain inexpensive electrical power and steam from, solid waste. Requires a report to the Congress on the results of financing such facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1994
Charitable Medical Care Act of 1994 - Exempts health care professionals from liability for negligence in the provision of health care services without charge, except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct. Makes this Act applicable only if such professional, before furnishing the service: (1) agrees to furnish such service voluntarily and without charge to the recipient or to any health insurance plan or program under which the recipient is covered; and (2) provides the recipient with adequate notice, as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, of the professional's limited liability for that service. Preempts any inconsistent State law. Specifies that this Act shall not preempt any State law that provides greater incentives or protections to a health care professional rendering such service.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1994
Expresses the sense of the Senate in support of the Schindler Project's efforts to provide high school seniors with the opportunity to view the film "Schindler's List" and discuss its historical implications and the application of those lessons to contemporary society.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1994
Federal Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act of 1994 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit and set penalties for knowingly circumcising, excising, or infibulating any part of the labia majora, labia minora, or clitoris of a female (female circumcision) under age 18, except where: (1) necessary to the health of the person when performed by a licensed medical practitioner; or (2) performed on a person in labor or who has just given birth for connected medical purposes by a licensed medical practitioner, midwife, or person in training. Sets penalties for knowingly denying medical care or services or otherwise discriminating in the provision of medical care or services to, any person because that person has: (1) undergone female circumcision; or (2) requested that female circumcision be performed on any person. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to ensure that the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Women's Health and the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health collaborate in: (1) compiling data on the number of females living in the United States, including, specifically, the number of girls under age 18, who have been subjected to female genital mutilation (mutilation); (2) identifying communities in the United States that practice mutilation; (3) designing and carrying out outreach activities to educate individuals in the communities on the physical and psychological health effects of such practice; and (4) developing recommendations for dissemination to students of medical and osteopathic schools regarding mutilation and its complications.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1994
Gift of Life Congressional Medal Act of 1994 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to design and strike a bronze medal to commemorate organ and tissue donors and their families. Makes eligible for the medal any organ or tissue donor or donor's family. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to arrange for medal presentation to eligible individuals. Declares the medals to be national medals. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to enter into agreements with the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network to solicit donations to offset expenditures relating to medal issuance. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to deposit all solicited donations into the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1994
Ryan White CARE Reauthorization Act of 1994 - Amends the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act of 1990 (title XXVI of the Public Health Service Act) to limit the grant program for emergency relief for areas with substantial need for services to eligible areas with a population of at least 500,000 individuals. Requires an HIV health services planning council (which advises on the distribution of such grants) to be reflective of the demographics of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic in an eligible area, with particular consideration given to disproportionately affected and historically underserved groups. Revises the method of distributing such grants and extends authorized appropriations for them until FY 2000. Revises the care grant program that makes funds available for individuals and families with the HIV disease. Authorizes the award of supplemental grants to eligible entities to enhance community-based care, treatment, and supportive services through the development and operation of consortia and innovative approaches. Extends authorized appropriations for such grant program through FY 2000. Requires the establishment of grievance procedures to address allegations of egregious violations of title XXVI of the Public Health Service Act. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to coordinate the planning and implementation of Federal HIV programs to facilitate the development of a complete continuum of HIV-related services for individuals with HIV disease and those at risk of such disease. Extends authorized appropriations for early intervention services until FY 2000. Extends authorized appropriations until FY 2000 for grants for coordinated services and access to research for children, youth, women, and families (formerly known as demonstration grants for research and services for pediatric patients regarding acquired immune deficiency syndrome). Makes appropriations available for special projects of national significance program to award direct grants to public and nonprofit private entities to fund special programs for the care and treatment of individuals with HIV disease.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Amendments to the Minority Small Business and Capital Ownership Development Title II: Contracting Program for Certain Small Business Concerns Title III: Expanding Subcontracting Opportunities Title IV: Repeals and Technical Amendments Title V: Definitions Title VI: Regulatory Implementation and Effective Dates Business Development Opportunity Act of 1994 - Title I: Amendments to the Minority Small Business and Capital Ownership Development Program - Part A: Program Organization and Participation Standards - Amends the Small Business Act to replace certain provisions regarding the minority small business and capital ownership development program with those establishing a Minority Enterprise Development Program. (Sec. 101) Requires the Program to consist of a Business Creation Phase, a Business Development Phase, and a Business Development (Preferential Contracting) Phase. Provides that only firms participating in the last phase shall be eligible for awards of Federal contracts and refers to such firms as Program participants. Permits firms to participate in the preferential contracting phase for up to nine years. (Sec. 103) Expands the definition of "socially and economically disadvantaged business concern" to include all Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations for purposes of such Program. (Currently, such definition only includes economically disadvantaged Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations.) (Sec. 104) Prohibits an applicant from being denied admission into the Program based solely on a determination that the participant has not been in operation for a period of time specified by the Small Business Administration (SBA) if the firm meets specified requirements, including demonstrations of business management and technical expertise, adequate capital, and ability to meet contract requirements. (Sec. 106) Directs the SBA Administrator to develop an action plan for improving participation in the Program by firms across the nation. Part B: Business Development Assistance - Removes conditions on the use of working capital provided under loan assistance programs for Program participants. (Sec. 113) Revises conditions regarding exemptions from surety bond requirements for Program participants. Authorizes Federal agencies with contracting authority to grant such an exemption if: (1) the Program participant provides certification that the firm was unable to obtain the requisite bonding from corporate surety bonding firms even with an SBA-issued guarantee; (2) the participant has provided for the protection of persons furnishing materials or labor under the contract pursuant to specified conditions; and (3) the award value of the contract for which the exemption is sought does not exceed $1 million (currently, $3 million). Terminates such authority after FY 1997. (Sec. 115) Authorizes financial assistance for business executive education programs conducted by institutions of graduate business education for owners or managers of small business concerns owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. (Sec. 116) Establishes a Developmental Teaming Program within the Program to encourage the formation of teaming arrangements and long-term strategic business alliances between firms participating in the Program and Program graduates. Part C: Improving Access to Equity for Program Graduates - Provides that Program participants shall remain eligible for participating in the Program after a transfer of an ownership interest in the firm if ownership and control is: (1) retained by the socially and economically disadvantaged individuals upon whom Program eligibility is based; or (2) acquired by a small business owned and controlled by such individuals who have graduated from the Program or exited the Program through a means other than a termination proceeding. Permits Program participants that are tribally owned corporations to remain eligible for participation with other than a Native American as the firm's chief executive officer if the tribe certifies that it was unable to hire a qualified Native American after conducting national recruitment. Part D: Contract Award and Eligibility Matters - Removes existing provisions regarding contracts and subcontracts to disadvantaged small businesses. (Sec. 131) Directs the SBA to ensure that contracts sufficient to satisfy the contract support levels identified by Program participants are designated by Federal agencies for award. Requires the award of contracts to be made on a noncompetitive basis and at fair market prices. (Sec. 132) Revises contract eligibility provisions with respect to Program participants. (Sec. 133) Authorizes the Associate Administrator for Minority Enterprise Development to permit the noncompetitive award of contracts to Program participants to exceed certain amounts subject to certain conditions. (Sec. 135) Provides that the forecasts of overall business activity contained in the business plans of Program participants or estimates contained in contract support levels shall not be used by the SBA to determined that a firm is ineligible for a contract. (Sec. 137) Requires the SBA to promulgate regulations to eliminate regulatory limitations on self-marketing by Program participants. Part E: Tribally Owned Corporations - Authorizes contracts to be awarded to joint ventures owned and controlled by Program participants, notwithstanding the size status of such a joint venture, if the participant: (1) is owned and controlled by an Indian tribe; (2) owns at least 51 percent of the joint venture; (3) is located and performs most of its activities on the Indian reservation; and (4) employs members of such tribe for at least 50 percent of the work force of the joint venture. Prohibits such contracts if the tribe owns and controls one or more participants who are currently joint venturers on more than five of such contracts. Part F: Contract Administration Matters - Directs Federal agencies awarding contracts to disadvantaged small businesses to make reasonable efforts to respond to requests by contracting officers with respect to contract administration matters. Requires such agency, upon the request of a Program participant, to make alternative dispute resolution available. Part G: Program Administration - Requires Program participants to report specified information annually (currently, semiannually) to a Business Opportunity Specialist. Title II: Contracting Program for Certain Small Business Concerns - Part A: Civilian Agencies Program - Authorizes executive agencies, for purposes of attaining goals for the participating of disadvantaged small businesses, to enter into contracts using: (1) less than full and open competition by restricting competition for awards to such businesses; and (2) a price evaluation preference, of up to ten percent, when evaluating an offer received from a small business as the result of an unrestricted solicitation. (Sec. 202) Requires the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to be amended to provide uniform implementation of such procedures by such agencies. Includes within the FAR: (1) conditions for the use of advance payments; (2) provisions for accelerated payment for contract work and full payment for work performed; (3) guidance on how contracting officers may provide a reasonable advantage to disadvantaged small businesses without eliminating any participation of other small businesses; (4) procedures for a person to request a Federal agency to determine whether the use of competitions restricted to disadvantaged small businesses at a contracting activity has caused a particular industry category to bear a disproportionate share of the contracts awarded to attain the goal established for such activity; and (5) guidance for limiting the use of restricted competitions in cases where such an industry is caused to bear a disproportionate share of the contracts. Part B: Eligibility Determinations Regarding Status - Authorizes protests to be brought regarding a self-certification by a business regarding its status as a disadvantaged small business in cases where such certification is believed to be false. (Sec. 211) Requires the Office of Hearings and Appeals to hear appeals regarding such status. Imposes penalties against firms engaged in a pattern of misrepresentation. Title III: Expanding Subcontracting Opportunities - Sets forth provisions regarding subcontracting by small and disadvantaged small businesses. (Sec. 302) Requires disadvantaged small businesses to negotiate a subcontracting plan for the use of emerging disadvantaged small businesses under certain circumstances. (Sec. 304) Authorizes the publication of notices of subcontracting opportunities in the Commerce Business Daily. Title IV: Repeals and Technical Amendments - Part A: Repeals - Repeals specified expired and superseded provisions of the Small Business Act and the Business Opportunity Development Reform Act of 1988. Part B: Technical Amendments - Revises goals for the percentage of procurement contracts to be awarded to small and disadvantaged small businesses. Title V: Definitions - Revises specified definitions and defines "emerging small business concern." Title VI: Regulatory Implementation and Effective Dates - Part A: Assuring Timely Regulatory Implementation - Sets forth deadlines for the issuance of specified amendments to the FAR or SBA regulations. Part B: Effective Dates - Provides that this Act shall take effect upon enactment, except with respect to provisions requiring the issuance of regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1994
1995 Black Revolutionary War Patriots Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue one-dollar silver coins emblematic of the Black Revolutionary War Patriots Memorial. Mandates that all surcharges received from coin sales be paid to the Black Revolutionary War Patriots for the purpose of raising an endowment to support the construction of a Black Revolutionary War Patriots Memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1994
Designates November 1, 1994, as National Family Literacy Day.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1994
Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 to extend from three years to five years the period during which Medicare select policies may be issued.
United States · United States Congress · 19 August 1994
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the nonrecognition of gain on property held for at least ten years which is involuntarily converted as the result of the exercise of eminent domain, without regard to whether the replacement property is similar or of like kind.
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 1994
Homeowners Insurance Disclosure Act of 1994 - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish annual disclosure requirements for non-commercial insurers (providers of homeowners, dwelling fire, allied lines, and other personal lines of insurance), including: (1) the availability, affordability and type of insurance coverage by Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), and the region, race, and gender of policyholders; (2) the racial characteristics and location by MSA of the principal place of business of current and terminated insurance agents; and (3) for designated insurers, the total number of policies, exposures, nonrenewals, and racial characteristics of licensed agents, and the aggregate loss experience. Provides for disclosure requirements for certain non-designated insurers. Directs the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on the availability, affordability, and quality of types of commercial insurance for residential properties and small businesses in urban areas. Instructs the Secretary to establish requirements for insurers to report annually on the availability, affordability, and quality or type of insurance in designated rural areas. Authorizes the Secretary to waive certain disclosure requirements if the States collect equivalent information. Directs the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council to determine the extent to which private mortgage insurers disclose to the public and regulatory agencies information that is equivalent to that required under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975. Requires noncompliant insurers to submit the requisite information to the Secretary. Prescribes guidelines for information compilation and maintenance and for a public availability and access system. Prescribes guidelines for disclosures by insurers to applicants and policyholders, stating the reasons that an insurance application was declined. Authorizes the Secretary to provide immunity to insurers, agents, and brokers regarding their communication of a cancellation, denial, or nonrenewal of insurance. Sets forth enforcement guidelines, including civil penalties and injunctions. Directs the Secretary to establish a task force on insurance agency appointments to report to certain congressional committees on the appointment and retention of inner-city and minority agents representing property and casualty insurers. Instructs the Secretary to study and report to certain congressional committees on insurance industry practices regarding: (1) prescreening of insurance applicants; (2) meeting of the property and casualty insurance needs of the residential and small business community in low- and moderate-income and minority neighborhoods; (3) disparate claims treatment of policyholders based on race, gender, and income level; (4) basing of premium amounts on the territory in which the insured risk is located; and (5) the feasibility of establishing community reinvestment requirements for insurers comparable to those applicable to depository institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 16 August 1994
Illinois Land Conservation Act of 1994 - Ratifies the proposals identified by the land use plan which was developed by the Joliet Arsenal Citizen Planning Commission and approved on April 8, 1994. Transfers to the Secretary of Agriculture, without reimbursement, portions of the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant in Illinois (Arsenal) to constitute the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie (MNTP) established by this Act. Declares that this Act does not change the responsibilities or liabilities of persons under applicable environmental laws except that the Secretary shall not be liable or responsible for contamination resulting from or related to the condition of the property existing before such transfer, such as migration of hazardous substances, pollutants, contaminants, or petroleum products or their derivatives disposed during the Department of the Army activities. Makes the Secretary of the Army responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of all fences, guardhouses, and other security facilities and personnel costs on all portions of the Arsenal that have not been transferred to the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretaries and the Administrator to individually and collectively enter into cooperative agreements and memoranda of understanding among each other and with other affected Federal, State, and local governments, private organizations, and corporations to implement this Act and to carry out the purposes for which the MNTP is established. Transfers jurisdiction to the Secretary over those portions of the Arsenal property identified for transfer within six months of enactment of this Act. Requires the Secretary of the Army to retain jurisdiction, authority, control over real property at the Arsenal to be used for environmental cleanup purposes. (Sec. 3) Requires the Secretary of the Army, with respect to the real property at the Arsenal, to remain liable for and to continue to carry out: (1) all response actions required under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) and other applicable provisions of law at or related to the property; and (2) all actions required under any other applicable law to remediate petroleum products or their derivatives. Prohibits such liabilities and responsibilities from being transferred to the Secretary. Makes the Secretary responsible and liable only to the extent of any other contamination affirmatively introduced into the environment at the Arsenal by the Secretary or the Department of Agriculture. Requires any Federal department or agency that had or has operations at the Arsenal resulting in the release or threatened release of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants to pay the cost of related response actions or related actions under other statutes to remediate petroleum products of ther derivatives. (Sec. 4) Requires the MNTP to be managed for National Forest purposes. Prohibits new construction of any highway, public road, or any part of the interstate system through or across any portion of the MNTP. Permits: (1) construction and maintenance of roads for use within the MNTP; and (2) granting of authorizations for utility rights-of-way under applicable Federal law or such access as is necessary (including access by the Secretary of the Arny for purposes of restoration and cleanup as provided in this Act). Sets forth provisions relating to MNTP agricultural leases, special land use authorizations, and admission, occupancy, and use fees with the exception of persons possessing a valid Golden Eagle Passport or Golden Age Passport. Establishes the MNTP Restoration Fund for restoration and administration of the MNTP. (Sec. 5) Designates specified areas of real property at the Arsenal for industrial development, a national veterans cemetery, and a country landfill. Requires: (1) the Secretary of the Army, within six months of satisfying all cleanup and other CERCLA requirements, to offer the Secretary the transer of specified areas, without reimbursement, to be added to the MNTP, subject to the terms, conditions, and limitations on liability contained in this Act; and (2) if the Secretary declines such offer, the property to be disposed of as surplus property. Declares that: (1) nothing in this Act shall be construed to restrict or lessen the degree of cleanup required to be carried out under applicable law at the property designated for disposal; and (2) such disposal shall be in compliance with specified provisions of CERCLA and other applicable laws.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 1994
Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act - Prohibits funds for foreign assistance from being made available for any country whose government prohibits or restricts the transport or delivery of U.S. humanitarian assistance. Waives such prohibition if the President notifies the Congress that providing such assistance is in the national security interest. Provides for a resumption of assistance when the President certifies to the Speaker of the House and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that such country is no longer prohibiting or restricting such transports or deliveries.
United States · United States Congress · 8 August 1994
International Peace Operations Support Act of 1994 - Directs the President to submit a report to the Congress setting forth a plan and procedures for recruiting, training, and organizing into units of the armed forces a contingency force of up to 3,000 personnel, comprised of current active-duty military personnel, who volunteer additionally and specifically to serve in international peace operations and who receive added compensation for such service. Authorizes the President: (1) upon approval by the United Nations Security Council of an international peace operation and after appropriate congressional consultation, to make those units available for such operations; and (2) to terminate U.S. participation in international peace operations at any time and take actions necessary to protect U.S. forces. Requires termination of any use of the armed forces with respect to which a report was submitted or required to be submitted under the War Powers Resolution within 180 days, unless the Congress has extended by law such period. Authorizes the use of funds available to the Department of Defense to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1994
Central Midwest Interstate Radioactive Waste Compact Amendments Consent Act of 1994 - Grants the consent of the Congress to amendments made by the States of Illinois and Kentucky to the Central Midwest Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste Compact.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1994
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, consistent with U.S. obligations to limit agricultural export subsidies under the Uruguay Round Agreement, to promote U.S. agricultural exports.