United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Commemorative Coin Programs Title II: National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Maintenance Fund United States Commemorative Coin Act of 1995 - Title I: Commemorative Coin Programs - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue gold and-or silver coins: (1) emblematic of the Bicentennial of the United States; (2) to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations and the role of President Harry S. Truman; (3) to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Smithsonian Institution; (4) to commemorate the public opening of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, D.C.; (5) to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the establishment of Yellowstone National Park as the first National Park in the United States; and (6) to recognize the sacrifices of law enforcement officers and their families in preserving public safety. Provides for the distribution of surcharges from the sale of coins. (Sec. 102) Mandates that the design for the coins be: (1) selected by the Secretary after consultation with the appropriate recipient organizations and the Commission of Fine Arts; and (2) reviewed by the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee. Title II: National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Maintenance Fund - Establishes the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Maintenance Fund as a revolving fund administered by the Secretary of the Interior to be used for specified purposes, including: (1) for the maintenance, security, and repair of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.; (2) to periodically add to the Memorial the names of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty; and (3) to provide educational scholarships to the immediate family members of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty whose names appear on the Memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1995
Amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to declare that persons elected or appointed to judicial office are not excluded from the definition of "employee" for purposes of the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1995
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 and the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to terminate sugarcane and sugar beet price support, marketing quota, and acreage allotment programs. Makes related amendments to the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act and the Food Security Act of 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1995
James Madison Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue commemorative one-dollar silver coins emblematic of the 250th anniversary of the birth of James Madison and the life and achievements of the fourth President of the United States. Requires the Secretary to turn over proceeds from surcharges to the National Trust for Historic Preservation to be used to: (1) establish an endowment as a permanent source for Montpelier (home of James Madison and a museum); and (2) fund capital restoration projects at Montpelier.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Strengthening the JOBS Program Title II: Aid to Families with Dependent Children Subtitle A: Requirements for Teenage Parents Subtitle B: State Flexibility Title III: Child Support Enforcement Subtitle A: Improvements to the Child Support Collection System Subtitle B: Effect of Enactment Title IV: Supplemental Security Income Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions Family Support Act of 1995 - Title I: Strengthening the JOBS Program - Amends part A (Aid to Families With Dependent Children) (AFDC) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to increase from 20 percent in 1995 to 50 percent in 2001 the required State rate for participation in the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training (JOBS) Program. (Sec. 102) Requires a State agency to establish procedures to: (1) encourage the placement of participants in jobs as quickly as possible, including using performance measures that reward staff performance; and (2) assist participants in retaining employment after they are hired. Authorizes a State agency to establish a job placement voucher program meeting specified requirements. Requires a State to: (1) make a list of approved job placement organizations available to an eligible AFDC applicant or recipient; and (2) give the participant a voucher to present to the job placement organization, which may redeem it after successfully placing the participant in employment for a six- month period (or longer, as the State determines). Repeals the requirement for States to provide educational activities to individuals age 20 or older. Allows States to: (1) establish their own requirements for when and how long an AFDC recipient or applicant must participate in job search; and (2) provide JOBS services to non-custodial parents who are unemployed and unable to meet their child support obligations. (Sec. 103) Increases funding for the JOBS program. Revises the formula for the Federal matching rate, for both the JOBS program and for child care, to make it, for FY 1997 and thereafter, 70 percent or the State's Federal Medicaid matching rate plus ten percentage points, whichever is higher. (Sec. 104) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a plan for evaluating the JOBS program. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Aid to Families with Dependent Children - Subtitle A: Requirements for Teenage Parents - Amends part A (AFDC) of SSA title IV to require State agencies to assign to each custodial parent under age 20 a case manager responsible for assisting the teen parent in obtaining services and monitoring their compliance with all program requirements. (Sec. 202) Requires State agencies to require participating (as well as certain program-exempt) custodial parents under age 20 who have not completed high school (or its equivalent) to: (1) attend school; (2) participate in a program combining classroom and job training; or (3) work toward attainment of a high school education (or its equivalent). Requires State agencies to require such parents who have successfully completed high school (or its equivalent) to participate in a State-approved JOBS activity. Grants States the option to conduct a program of monetary incentives and penalties to encourage custodial parents (and pregnant women) under age 20 to complete their high school (or equivalent) education, and participate in parenting activities. (Sec. 203) Requires States to require, with specified exceptions, an individual under age 18 who has a dependent child (or is pregnant) to live with a parent, legal guardian, or other adult relative, or reside in a foster home, maternity home, or other adult-supervised supportive living arrangement, with AFDC payments made to the individual's parent or other adult on the individual's behalf. Subtitle B: State Flexibility - Establishes an Interagency Welfare Review Board as the central organization for coordinating the review of State applications for waivers that involve more than one Federal department or agency. Requires the Board to provide assistance and technical advice to States applying for such waivers. (Sec. 221) Requires the Secretary to approve or disapprove a waiver application within 90 days after its receipt. Grants a presumption for approval for any waiver request similar in substance and scale to one previously approved. (Sec. 222) Authorizes any State, without receiving a waiver, to establish program changes in: (1) income and resource requirements; (2) requirements relating to disregard of income; (3) standards for defining unemployment other than those defined by the Secretary; and (4) rules that prescribe the number of quarters of work that a principal earner must have to qualify for unemployment compensation. (Sec. 223) Authorizes States to apply for waivers of JOBS program rules in order to conduct JOBS demonstration projects. Title III: Child Support Enforcement - Interstate Child Support Responsibility Act of 1995 - Subtitle A: Improvements to the Child Support Collection System - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of SSA title IV to state that mothers shall not be considered to cooperate with paternity establishment efforts unless they furnish the State agency with the name of the putative father (or fathers) and specified additional information. Requires the State child support enforcement agency to make a cooperation determination within ten days after the mother's referral. Prohibits denial of AFDC and Medicaid benefits for lack of cooperation until the formal determination is made. (Retains the current good cause exception to the cooperation requirement.) (Sec. 302) Requires States to record every child support order established or modified in the State on or after October 1, 1998, in the central case registry established under this Act. (Sec. 303) Revises requirements for the distribution of collected child support to former as well as to current AFDC recipients before reimbursement of State and Federal government agencies. Specifies alternative distribution priorities at State option. (Sec. 304) Provides for notification of service applicants and recipients of all support obligation proceedings, as well as specified privacy safeguards. (Sec. 311) Increases from 66 percent to 75 percent, as of FY 1999, the Federal matching rate for State and local child support and paternity establishment costs. Revises performance-based incentive adjustments to the matching rate, as well as payment reduction penalties for failure to meet specified paternity establishment and child support enforcement goals. (Sec. 313) Revises requirements for State and Federal reviews and audits of part D programs. (Sec. 315) Requires States to have in operation a single statewide automated data processing and information retrieval system capable of performing required part D tasks. Establishes a special Federal matching rate for development costs of such systems. (Sec. 316) Directs the Secretary periodically to study, directly or by contract, the staffing of each State child support enforcement program. (Sec. 317) Sets forth a formula for certain funds made available to the Secretary for specified assistance to State programs. (Sec. 321) Requires any State automated system for locate and case tracking to perform the functions of a single central registry containing records with standardized data elements. (Sec. 322) Requires State agencies to operate a single, centralized, automated unit for the collection and disbursement of child support payments. (Sec. 323) Requires States to have procedures under which all child support orders issued or modified before October 1, 1996, which are not otherwise subject to income withholding, shall become subject to withholding from wages without the need for a judicial or administrative hearing. (Sec. 324) Requires States to have procedures ensuring that they will neither provide funding for nor use for any purpose any automated interstate network or system to locate individuals for law enforcement or motor vehicle purposes unless all Federal and State agencies administering child support enforcement programs have access to information in the network or system to the same extent as any other user. (Sec. 325) Provides for expanded authority to locate individuals and assets through the Federal Parent Locator Service (FPLS). Directs the Secretary to establish within the FPLS: (1) a Data Bank of Child Support Orders, containing abstracts of support orders and other information on each case in each State central case registry; and (2) a Directory of New Hires, with information supplied by employers and by State agencies administering State unemployment compensation laws. Sets forth requirements for such Data Bank and Directory, including penalties for noncomplying employers. (Sec. 326) Requires States to have procedures requiring the recording of social security numbers: (1) of both parties on marriage licenses, birth records, and child support and paternity orders; and (2) on all applications for motor vehicle licenses and professional licenses. (Sec. 331) Requires States to adopt in its entirety by January 1, 1997, the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, as approved by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws in August 1992. (Sec. 332) Revises requirements with respect to the full faith and credit given State child support orders by sister States. (Sec. 333) Requires States to have procedures giving the State agency authority, without the necessity of obtaining an order from any other judicial or administrative tribunal, to take specified actions to establish or enforce paternity establishment or child support orders. (Sec. 341) Revises requirements for paternity establishment procedures, especially voluntary establishment. Grants anyone who has acknowledged paternity 60 days to rescind such acknowledgement. Allows a court challenge of a signed acknowledgement of paternity after 60 days only on the basis of fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact. Permits a minor who has signed such an acknowledgement outside the presence of a parent or court-appointed guardian ad litem to rescind it beyond the 60-day limit, but no later than the earlier of: (1) the age of majority; or (2) the date of the first judicial or administrative proceeding brought to establish a support obligation, visitation rights, or custody rights of the child in question at which the minor putative father is represented by a parent, guardian ad litem, or attorney. Requires State procedures under which: (1) no judicial or administrative proceedings are required or permitted to ratify an unchallenged acknowledgement of paternity; (2) parties to a paternity action are not entitled to a jury trial; and (3) a temporary child support order shall be issued, upon a party's motion, pending an administrative or judicial determination of parentage, where there is clear and convincing evidence of paternity (on the basis of genetic tests or other evidence). (Sec. 342) Requires States to publicize the availability and encourage the use of procedures for voluntary paternity establishment and child support through a variety of means, including: (1) distribution of written materials at health care facilities and other locations such as schools; (2) pre-natal programs to educate expectant couples on individual and joint rights and responsibilities with respect to paternity; and (3) reasonable follow-up efforts after a new-born child has been discharged from a hospital if paternity or child support have not been established. Sets a Federal matching payment to each State of 90 percent of the costs of outreach programs designed to encourage voluntary acknowledgement of paternity. (Sec. 351) Establishes the National Child Support Guidelines Commission, which shall determine whether it is appropriate to develop a national child support guideline and, if so, develop one. (Sec. 352) Requires States to: (1) review both AFDC and non-AFDC child support orders every three years at the request of either parent; and (2) adjust an order (without a requirement for any other change in circumstances) if the amount of child support under the order differs from the amount that would be awarded based on State guidelines. Mandates such a review and adjustment, at either parent's request, at any time there is a substantial change in the circumstances of either such parent. Requires child support orders to require parents to provide each other with annual statements of financial condition. (Sec. 361) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the priorities for child support offset of tax refunds to give first priority to satisfaction of any past-due support which has not been assigned to the State, and only secondarily to satisfaction of past-due support that has been so assigned. Provides that up to $10,000 of any lump-sum child support payment withheld from a tax refund for a family receiving AFDC may be placed in a Qualified Asset Account. Limits the use of funds in such an account to: (1) education and training programs; (2) improvements in an individual's employability (including purchase of an automobile); (3) the purchase of a home; or (4) a change of family residence. Excludes such funds from any accounting for purposes of AFDC benefit eligibility. (Sec. 362) Prohibits the assessment of any additional fee for adjustments to a child support arrearage previously certified to the Secretary of the Treasury for collection through the Internal Revenue Service. (Sec. 363) Revises child support enforcement requirements with respect to Federal employees and members of the armed forces to subject them to the same withholding procedures that apply to non-Federal employees. (Sec. 364) Requires the Secretary of Defense to establish a centralized personnel locator service including the address of each member of the armed forces under the Secretary's jurisdiction (as well as the addresses of members of the Coast Guard, upon request of the Secretary of Transportation). Revises treatment of military personnel with respect to child support enforcement interaction with the States. (Sec. 365) Requires States to have in effect the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act of 1981, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act of 1984, or another law, specifying indicia of fraud which create a prima facie case that a debtor transferred income or property to avoid payment to a child support creditor, which the Secretary finds affords comparable rights to such creditors. Requires a State to: (1) void any transfer by a child support debtor with respect to which such a prima facie case is established; or (2) obtain a settlement in the best interests of the child support creditor. (Sec. 366) Requires States to have procedures for withholding, suspending, or restricting the use of driver's licenses, professional and occupational licenses, and recreational licenses of individuals owing overdue child support or failing, after receiving appropriate notice, to comply with subpoenas or warrants relating to paternity or child support proceedings. (Sec. 367) Requires States to have procedures (subject to specified safeguards) for periodically reporting to consumer reporting agencies the name of any absent parent who is delinquent in the payment of child support, plus the amount overdue. (Sec. 368) Requires States to have procedures under which the statute of limitations on any arrearages of child support extends at least until the child owed such support reached age 30. (Sec. 369) Requires States to have procedures for charging and collecting interest and penalties on child support arrearages. (Sec. 370) Requires the Secretary to transmit to the Secretary of State for denial, revocation, or limitation of passports any State agency certification that an individual owes arrearages of child support exceeding $5,000 or in an amount exceeding 24 months' worth of child support. Requires the Secretary of State, upon receipt of such a certification, to refuse to issue a passport to such an individual; and permits the Secretary to revoke, restrict, or limit a previously issued passport. (Sec. 381) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to revise the definition of medical child support order to include such orders issued by an administrative adjudicator and having the force and effect of law under applicable State law. (Sec. 391) Authorizes appropriations for grants to States for programs to support and facilitate absent parents' access and visitation to their children. Subtitle B: Effect of Enactment - Sets forth the effective dates of this title, with provision for specified grace periods for State law changes and State constitutional amendments. Title IV: Supplemental Security Income - Directs the Commissioner of Social Security to issue regulations for determining the disability in individuals under age 18 (disabled children), for supplemental security income (SSI) benefit eligibility purposes, in order to ensure that such eligibility is limited to those individuals whose impairments are so severe as to cause at least: (1) a marked limitation in at least two domains of functioning or development; or (2) an extreme limitation in at least one such domain. (Sec. 401) Defines "domain" as a broad but, to the maximum extent practicable, discrete area of function or development that can be identified in infancy and traced through an individual's maturation. States that under no circumstance may the Commissioner specify a domain of maladaptive behavior or consider the limitations caused by such behavior in more than one domain. Requires the Commissioner, within two years after promulgating such regulations, to redetermine the SSI eligibility of each individual receiving such benefits on the basis of disability found before the effective date of such regulations. (Sec. 402) Amends SSA title XVI (SSI) to direct the Commissioner to establish a directory of services for disabled children that are available within the area served by each Social Security Administration office. (Sec. 403) Requires the Commissioner to use standardized tests measuring childhood development or functioning, or equivalent criteria, when determining whether an individual under age 18 is disabled. (Sec. 404) Sets forth a graduated schedule of benefits for several blind or disabled children living in the same (non-group or non-foster home) household. Preserves Medicaid eligibility for all such children. (Sec. 405) Requires the representative payee of a disabled child to file a treatment plan for the child, developed by the child's physician or other medical provider, within three months after the child's SSI eligibility determination. Authorizes the Commissioner to appoint an alternative representative payee, giving preference to the State agency administering the SSI plan, if the original representative payee fails to file a treatment plan. Requires State agencies administering the SSI plan to furnish the Commissioner, upon request, with any information necessary to verify information provided by a representative payee. Requires the Commissioner to reimburse a State agency for the costs of providing such information. Requires the SSA Inspector General to report to specified congressional committees on the implementation of the treatment plan requirements. (Sec. 406) Requires each representative payee of a disabled child to: (1) establish an account in a financial institution on behalf of the child; and (2) deposit into it the initial retroactive payment if the amount of such payment equals or exceeds six times the maximum Federal benefit rate. Allows the deposit of smaller retroactive payments. Limits the use of account funds to education or job skills training or other specified expenses for the disabled child. Requires the Commissioner to establish a system of monitoring payee use of such funds. (Sec. 407) Requires the Commissioner to conduct specified periodic continuing disability reviews for disabled children receiving SSI payments. (Sec. 408) Makes the State agency administering the Maternal and Child Health block grant responsible for developing a care coordination plan for each disabled child. Directs the Secretary, the Commissioner, and the Secretary of Education to take necessary steps to assure that specified State agencies: (1) assist in developing such plan; (2) participate in the planning and delivery of services required by the plan; and (3) provide the Secretary for each fiscal year with information on the services provided. Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the tax responsibilities of expatriation. (Sec. 501) Treats all property held immediately before expatriation by a U.S. citizen relinquishing citizenship as sold at such time for its fair market value. (Excludes from such property: (1) any U.S. real property interest other than stock of a U.S. real property holding corporation; and (2) any interest (not exceeding $500,000) in a qualified retirement plan, foreign or domestic.) Subjects to income taxation any accrued asset gains (in excess of $600,000) as of such date. Waives such treatment for any individual electing to continue to be taxed as a U.S. citizen. Applies such tax treatment also to certain long-term non-citizen U.S. residents upon losing such resident status. (Sec. 502) Declares that, if a non-resident alien individual becomes a U.S. resident or citizen, gain or loss on the disposition of any property held on the date the individual becomes a resident or citizen shall be determined by substituting, as of the applicable date, the fair market value of such property for its cost basis. (States that any deduction for depreciation, depletion, or amortization shall be determined without regard to application of this section.) (Sec. 503) Denies the earned income tax credit to: (1) individuals not authorized to be employed in the United States; and (2) individuals with substantial capital gain net income. Limits such credit to individuals (including spouses and qualifying children) with social security numbers as tax identification numbers. Treats taxpayer errors in social security numbers as mathematical or clerical errors (which can be dealt with under certain simplified procedures instead of normal tax deficiency procedures). (Sec. 505) Revises the treatment of certain stock redemptions as distributions in part or full payment in exchange for the stock. Repeals the current corporate shareholder option to reduce the basis in the remaining stock by the untaxed (deducted) portion of an extraordinary dividend. Treats any non pro rata redemption (or partial liquidation), with specified exceptions, as a sale of the redeemed stock, even if such distribution would otherwise be treated as a dividend entitled to a dividends received deduction. (Sec. 506) Applies uniform alien eligibility criteria to AFDC, SSI, and Medicaid benefits. (Sec. 507) Repeals the termination date of the five-year deeming requirement under which newly legalized resident aliens are deemed for five years to have the income and assets of their sponsors (thus disqualifying them for SSI benefits for such period of time). Extends the deeming period for AFDC eligibility from three to five years. Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to extend the deeming period from three to five years for food stamp benefit eligibility. Exempts from the deeming period (and temporary disqualification for benefits) any alien whose sponsor receives SSI, AFDC, or food stamp benefits. Authorizes the Secretary (and, for food stamps, the Secretary of Agriculture) to alter or suspend application of deeming and disqualification requirements where their application would be inequitable under the circumstances. Authorizes a State or local government to make an alien ineligible for any need-based assistance program it furnishes for any month during which such alien is ineligible for AFDC, SSI, or food stamp benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1995
Water Desalinization Research and Development Act of 1995 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to conduct a basic research and development program which shall: (1) conduct, encourage, and promote fundamental scientific research and basic studies to develop the best and most economical processes and methods for converting saline and nonusable nonsaline water into usable water; (2) study methods for the recovery of byproducts resulting from the desalinization or reclamation of water which would offset the costs of treatment and reduce the environmental impact from such byproducts; and (3) prepare a management plan for conducting the program. Requires: (1) coordination of activities with certain other Federal agencies; and (2) availability to the general public of all research results and findings. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of the Army to jointly: (1) conduct a desalinization development program; and (2) design and construct desalinization facilities for such program. Outlines provisions concerning: (1) the selection of appropriate facilities for such program; (2) a maximum Federal cost of $10 million for the initial cost of a facility; (3) operation, maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation of a facility to be performed by the facility sponsor; and (4) miscellaneous administrative authorities of both Secretaries with respect to such program. Requests the President to instruct the Administrator of the Agency for International Development (AID) to sponsor an international desalinization conference within one year after the enactment of this Act. Provides conference funding from AID funds. Directs the Secretary to provide annual reports to the President and the Congress with respect to the administration of this Act. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1996 through 2000 for: (1) the research and development program; and (2) the desalinization development program.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit tax-exempt private foundations and community foundations to establish tax-exempt cooperative service organizations to operate exclusively for charitable purposes. Applies the excise taxes on private foundations, except the taxes on investment income and on failure to distribute income, to such organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the special rules for gifts of qualified appreciated stock to certain tax-exempt private foundations for purposes of the itemized deduction of charitable contributions. Includes grants to certain foreign organizations as qualified distributions by private foundations for purposes of the tax on failure to distribute income. Changes the due date for first quarter estimated tax payments by private foundations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1995
Lowers the amounts under proposed offers to sell defense articles or services, design and construction services, and major defense equipment to Saudi Arabia that trigger a requirement by the President to notify the Speaker of the House and the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee under the Arms Export Control Act. Makes the lower thresholds that trigger such requirement inapplicable if the Secretary of State certifies to the Congress that the unpaid claims of American firms against the Government of Saudi Arabia that are described in a specified June 30, 1993, report by the Secretary of Defense pursuant to the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1993 have been resolved satisfactorily.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to characterize as a redemption in part or full payment in exchange for stock a distribution in redemption of corporate-held stock if: (1) the redemption is part of a partial liquidation or not pro rata as to all shareholders; and (2) the corporation holding the stock would otherwise be entitled to a dividends received deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1995
Intercity Rail Infrastructure Investment Act - Amends Federal highway system law to designate certain National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK) intercity passenger rail service corridors to be part of the National Highway System. Grants congressional consent to States with an interest in a specific form, route, or corridor of intercity passenger rail service (including high speed rail service) to enter into interstate compacts to promote such service. Makes construction of and operational improvements for intercity passenger rail facilities, operation of intercity passenger rail trains, and acquisition of rolling stock for intercity passenger rail service eligible projects for funding under the National Highway System. Authorizes States to obligate congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program funds for such projects. Revises the term "mass transportation" to cover intercity passenger rail transportation. Makes such transportation projects eligible for Federal mass transportation funding. Requires grants for intercity passenger rail service to be used to preserve the maximum choice of passenger modes in non-urbanized areas.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1995
Environmental Finance Act of 1995 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish: (1) an Environmental Financial Advisory Board to provide expert advice on issues affecting the costs and financing of environmental activities at the Federal, State, and local levels; and (2) Environmental Finance Centers in institutions of higher education in each of the regions of the EPA. Authorizes the Centers to: (1) provide training of State and local officials; (2) publish materials relating to financing of environmental infrastructure; (3) conduct conferences and advisory panels on specific environmental finance issues; (4) establish information services; (5) generate case studies and reports; (6) develop surveys of financial issues and needs of State and local governments; (7) identify financial programs and alternative financing mechanisms for training purposes; (8) hold public meetings; and (9) collaborate and exchange information. Permits the Administrator to make grants to institutions of higher education to carry out the Center program. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that if a U.S. citizen relinquishes citizenship, all property held by such citizen at the time immediately before relinquishment shall be treated as sold at such time for its fair market value and any gain or loss shall be subject to U.S. income tax. Allows an expatriate to elect to have property made subject to tax in the same manner as if the individual were a U.S. citizen if the individual: (1) provides security for payment of tax; (2) consents to waiver of treaty rights that would preclude tax assessment or collection; and (3) complies with other requirements prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury. Excludes $600,000 in gain from taxation. Limits the amount of estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes in the event of such an election. Excepts U.S. real property interests and interest in certain retirement plans. Prescribes rules for the treatment of an expatriate's interests in a trust. Terminates, on the date on which property held by an individual is treated as sold under this Act, any deferral of recognition of income or gain and any extension of time for payment of tax. Imposes a tentative tax, immediately before the expatriation date, on income required to be included equal to the amount that would be imposed if the taxable year were a short taxable year ending on the expatriation date. Treats as the basis of property of a nonresident alien individual who becomes a U.S. citizen or resident, for purposes of determining gain or loss, the property's fair market value on the date on which: (1) the individual becomes a citizen or resident; or (2) the property first becomes subject to tax by reason of being used in a trade or business or by reason of becoming a U.S. real property interest.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1995
Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Research, Assistance, and Education Act of 1995 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to mandate a program for the conduct and support of research and training, the dissemination of health information, and other programs regarding Parkinson's disease. Establishes the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Parkinson's Disease. Requires Core Center Grants to encourage the development of innovative multidisciplinary research and provide training concerning Parkinson's, designating each grant recipient as a Morris K. Udall Center for Research on Parkinson's Disease. Authorizes establishment of the National Parkinson's Disease Data System to collect, store, analyze, retrieve, and disseminate data. Establishes: (1) the National Parkinson's Disease Information Clearinghouse; (2) a grant program to support scientists who have distinguished themselves in Parkinson's research; and (3) a national education program to foster a national focus on Parkinson's and the care of those with Parkinson's. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Rail Investment Act of 1995 Title II: Local Rail Freight Assistance Rail Investment Act of 1995 - Title I: Rail Investment Act of 1995 - Rail Investment and Efficiency Act of 1995 - Amends Federal transportation law to add as goals for the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK) that, among other things, it manage its capital investment in such a way as to provide its customers with world class service and treat them with respect, courtesy, and dignity. (Sec. 104) Requires AMTRAK to include in its annual operations report to the President and to the Congress projections of anticipated and realized benefits of proposed and previously funded projects. (Sec. 105) Requires applications by a State, agency, or person for the institution of rail passenger service, or the retention of a route, train, or service which AMTRAK intends to discontinue, to include a statement that it agrees to pay in each year of service a portion of the long-term avoidable losses for each year (currently, short-term avoidable losses) of the operation of such service and the associated capital costs (currently, 50 percent of such costs). Directs the Secretary of Transportation to review and report to Congress on AMTRAK's State-assisted rail passenger services program. (Sec. 106) Directs AMTRAK to make any capital improvements for the Northeast Corridor improvement project program necessary for reliable, high-speed rail passenger service and enhancement of capacity for intercity and commuter passenger service. Repeals the current authorization of appropriations for specific projects of the program, as well as the general authorization for deferment of certain Northeast Corridor improvement projects in order to carry out others. (Sec. 107) Authorizes appropriations for: (1) AMTRAK operating expenses; (2) State requested rail passenger service; (3) capital investment; (4) construction expenses to convert the James A. Farley Post Office, New York City, into a train station and commercial center and for redevelopment of the Pennsylvania Station, New York City; (5) capital expenditures for the Northeast Corridor improvement project; and (6) certain mandatory payments. (Sec. 108) Legalizes conveyances of certain real property located in Reno, Nevada, by the Southern Pacific Transportation Company. (Sec. 109) Directs AMTRAK to report to the Congress on the feasibility of instituting rail passenger service between Kansas City, Missouri, and Omaha, Nebraska, as well as potential extensions of service in Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma, and Kansas that might enhance the ridership or revenues of AMTRAK service. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 110) Declares, for purposes of any State or local requirement for a permit or other approval for construction of any AMTRAK improvement under the Northeast Corridor Improvement Project, that the exemptions and procedures applicable to a Federal project shall apply. (Sec. 111) Directs AMTRAK to construct the electrification system between Boston, Massachusetts, and New Haven, Connecticut, to accommodate the installation of a third mainline track between Davisville and the Boston Switch at Central Falls, Rhode Island, to be used for double-stack and tri-level automobile freight service to and from the Port of Davisville. (Sec. 112) Establishes the Capital and Equipment Acquisition Account to: (1) acquire passenger equipment and locomotives; and (2) encourage State and local investment in facilities and equipment used to provide intercity rail passenger service. (Sec. 113) Revises the composition of the board of directors of AMTRAK to include one member specially qualified to represent the interests of rail passengers, who shall be selected from a list of three qualified individuals recommended by the National Association of Railroad Passengers. (Sec. 114) Directs AMTRAK to implement a pilot program to increase non-Federal revenues through the sale of concessions and use of vending machines on trains and the sale of advertising space on trains and in rail stations. (Sec. 115) Requires AMTRAK to cooperate with the Virginia State Department of Transportation in studying the feasibility of reestablishing rail service between Washington, D.C., and Bristol, Virginia. (Sec. 116) Authorizes AMTRAK and motor carriers of passengers to: (1) combine their respective services and facilities to the public as a means of increasing revenues; and (2) coordinate schedules, routes, rates, reservations, and ticketing to provide for enhanced intermodal surface transportation. (Sec. 117) Directs AMTRAK, upon completion of the preliminary engineering and design for the rail connection between North Station and South Station in Boston, Massachusetts, to develop a plan for the construction of the Central Artery Rail Link to enable intercity and intracity passenger service between such points. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 118) Directs AMTRAK to form a task force to consider recommendations for improving emergency training and performance of on-board service and operating crew members. Requires the task force to report to specified congressional committees on actions implemented to date and recommended for the future. Title II: Local Rail Freight Assistance - Authorizes appropriations for local rail service assistance. (Sec. 202) Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to provide disaster assistance for the repair of rail lines damaged as a result of a disaster. (Sec. 203) Authorizes the use of local rail freight assistance for the cost of: (1) closing or improving a railroad grade crossing or series of such crossings; and (2) creating a State supervised grain car pool. (Sec. 205) Requires amounts appropriated to AMTRAK to be paid on the first day of the fiscal year. (Sec. 206) Repeals specified sections of Federal transportation law designated obsolete or unnecessary.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1995
National African American Museum Act - Establishes within the Smithsonian Institution the National African American Museum to be operated as a center for scholarship and a location for museum training, public education, exhibits, and collection and study of items and materials relating to the life, art, history, and culture of African Americans. Authorizes the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution to plan, design, reconstruct, and renovate the Arts and Industries Building to house the Museum. Establishes a Board of Trustees of the Museum in the Smithsonian Institution. Directs the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution to appoint a Director to manage the Museum.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1995
Ryan White CARE Reauthorization Act of 1995 - Amends title XXVI (HIV Health Care Services Program) of the Public Health Service Act regarding emergency relief for areas with a substantial need for services. Changes requirements for grants to metropolitan areas having large numbers of cases of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Modifies the composition, chairperson requirements, and duties of local human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) health services planning councils. Revises requirements for supplemental grants. Alters the method for determining the amount of each grant, the mandated uses of the grants, and application requirements. Allows a single application for initial and supplemental grants and authorizes both to be made as a single grant. Mandates (currently, allows) technical assistance. Authorizes planning grants. Amends provisions relating to the care grant program to change the uses of HIV care consortia grants and consortium application requirements. Mandates establishment of a recommended minimum formulary of pharmaceutical drug therapies approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Revises: (1) State duties in using grant funds to provide treatments; (2) State application requirements; and (3) planning, evaluation, and administration requirements. Mandates (currently, allows) technical assistance. Mandates grievance procedures to address allegations of egregious violations of title XXVI. Requires coordination of the planning and implementation of Federal HIV programs by the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Amends early intervention services provisions to: (1) require grant recipients to provide a continuum of primary care; and (2) modify other requirements regarding uses of grant funds. Authorizes planning grants to entities that are not direct primary care providers to enable them to provide HIV primary care services. Authorizes appropriations for early intervention grants. Replaces provisions mandating demonstration grants for research and services for pediatric AIDS patients with provisions mandating grants for primary care for out-patient care and support services to children, youth, women with HIV disease, and the families of those individuals and for facilitating the participation of such individuals in research. Requires procedures for the protection of human subjects. Prohibits conditioning services on research participation. Authorizes appropriations. Reserves a specified portion of the amounts appropriated under other parts of title XXVI to administer a special projects of national significance program to award direct grants for special programs for the care and treatment of individuals with HIV disease. Repeals current provisions relating to special projects of national significance. Replaces provisions of the Public Health Service Act authorizing grants and contracts to train the faculty of specified types of health professions schools regarding providing for the health care needs of individuals with HIV disease with provisions authorizing grants and contracts to train health personnel, including community providers, in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of HIV infection and disease. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 4) Amends title XXVI provisions relating to emergency relief for areas with a substantial need for services to modify the formula for determining the amount of grants. (Sec. 5) Amends provisions relating to the care grant program to change the formula regarding minimum grant allotments. (Sec. 6) Authorizes appropriations to make grants under title XXVI provisions relating to: (1) emergency relief for areas with a substantial need for services; and (2) the care grant program. Mandates development and implementation of a methodology for adjusting the percentages allocated to those parts. Repeals existing authorizations of appropriations for those parts.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1995
Major League Baseball Antitrust Reform Act of 1995 - Amends the Clayton Act to make the antitrust laws applicable to the business of professional major league baseball. Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed to affect the applicability of antitrust laws to: (1) professional baseball's amateur draft, the minor league reserve clause, the Professional Baseball Agreement, or any other matter relating to the minor leagues; (2) any restraint by professional baseball on franchise relocation; or (3) the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1995
Smithsonian Institution Sesquicentennial Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue five-dollar gold coins and one-dollar silver coins emblematic of the scientific, educational, and cultural significance of the Smithsonian Institution. Mandates that: (1) all but a certain portion of surcharges received from coin sales be paid by the Secretary to the Smithsonian Institution to support programming related to the 150th anniversary and general activities of the Smithsonian Institution; and (2) a certain portion of such surcharges be dedicated to supporting the operation and activities of the National Numismatic Collection at the National Museum of American History.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Provisions Relating to the Earned Income Credit Title II: Provisions Relating to International Taxation Title III: Additional Empowerment Zones Tax Compliance Act of 1995 - Title I: Provisions Relating to the Earned Income Credit - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny the earned income tax credit to individuals without a social security number that is valid for employment purposes. (Sec. 102) Denies such credit to individuals whose interest and dividends includible in gross income exceed $2,500. Title II: Provisions Relating to International Taxation - Provides that if a U.S. citizen relinquishes citizenship, all property held by such citizen at the time immediately before relinquishment shall be treated as sold at such time for its fair market value and any gain or loss shall be subject to U.S. income tax. Excludes $600,000 in gain from taxation. Excepts U.S. real property interests and interest in certain retirement plans. Allows the deferral of the tax on expatriation with respect to interests in closely-held businesses. (Sec. 202) Revises provisions governing information reporting on foreign trusts. Includes as reportable events a domestic trust becoming a foreign trust, the death of a U.S. citizen or resident who is a grantor of a foreign trust, and the residency starting date of a grantor of a foreign trust having one or more U.S. beneficiaries. Increases penalties for failure to file information returns with respect to certain foreign trusts. (Sec. 203) Modifies the rules relating to the taxation of foreign trusts having one or more U.S. beneficiaries to prevent abusive transactions with respect to transfers at death, sales to foreign trusts, pre-immigration trusts, and outbound trust migrations. (Sec. 204) Provides for a person to be treated as owning trust assets under the grantor trust rules only if that person is a U.S. citizen, U.S. resident, or domestic corporation. (Sec. 205) Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to recharacterize purported gifts by partnerships and foreign corporations to persons who are not partners or shareholders to prevent the avoidance of tax. (Sec. 206) Requires U.S. persons to report any gifts from foreign persons that exceed the value of $100,000. Establishes a penalty for failure to make such report. (Sec. 207) Modifies the rules regarding the rate of interest on accumulated distributions of foreign nongrantor trusts to make such rate correspond to the interest rate on underpayment of tax. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulations to prevent abusive transactions. Provides for the taxation of the use of foreign trust property (valued at more than $2,500) by a trust participant as distributed income. (Sec. 208) Provides for the treatment as a domestic estate or trust: (1) one which a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of; and (2) in the case of a trust, one in which one or more U.S. fiduciaries have the authority to control all substantial trust decisions. Title III: Additional Empowerment Zones - Authorizes the establishment of two additional urban empowerment zones. Increases the aggregate population of such zones that are eligible for such designation.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1995
National Highway System Designation Act of 1995 - Designates the most recent National Highway System (as of the date of this Act's enactment) as submitted by the Secretary of Transportation to be the National Highway System (NHS). Authorizes the Secretary, at the request of a State, to add a new route segment to the NHS (including a new intermodal connection) or delete a route segment in existence on the date of the request if the total mileage of the NHS, including any route segment or connection proposed to be added, does not exceed 165,000 miles. Requires each State making a request for a change in the NHS to establish that each change has been identified by the State, in cooperation with local officials, pursuant to applicable transportation planning activities for metropolitan areas and statewide planning processes. Authorizes the Secretary to approve such a request upon determining that the change meets the criteria established for, and enhances the national transportation characteristics of, the NHS. Authorizes the obligation of funds for capital and operating costs for traffic monitoring, management, and control facilities and programs (currently, for startup costs for traffic management and control if such costs are limited as specified). Increases the percentage (from 40 to 60) of apportionments that may be transferred from the apportionment under one section to the apportionment under any other if requested by the State highway department and approved by the Secretary as being in the public interest. Revises provisions regarding the Federal share for: (1) highways, bridges, and tunnels to make such share a percentage determined by the State, but not to exceed 80 percent; and (2) bicycle transportation facilities and pedestrian walkways to make such share a sum to be determined according to a specified formula. Authorizes individuals to donate funds, materials, or services in connection with activities eligible for Federal assistance under Federal highway provisions. Directs that, in the case of such an activity with respect to which the Federal Government and the State share in paying the cost, any donated funds or the fair market value of any donated materials or services that are accepted and incorporated into the activity by the State highway agency shall be credited against the State share. Bars any State from being required to: (1) erect any highway sign that establishes any speed limit, distance, or other measurement using the metric system; or (2) modify any highway sign that establishes any such measurement so that the sign uses the metric system. Amends the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 to set a time limit for obligation of funds for intelligent vehicle-highway systems projects. Authorizes the Secretary to reallocate such funds if they are not obligated by the specified date.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Middle Class Tax Relief Title II: Provisions Relating To Individual Retirement Plans Subtitle A: Retirement Savings Incentives Subtitle B: Penalty-Free Distributions Middle-Class Bill of Rights Tax Relief Act of 1995 - Title I: Middle Class Tax Relief - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals a tax credit of $300 per eligible child under the age of 13 years. Increases such credit to $500 per eligible child after December 31, 1998. Reduces such credit for incomes of $60,000 or more. Provides an inflation adjustment for such amounts beginning in 1999. (Sec. 102) Allows individuals a tax deduction for the qualified higher education expenses of the taxpayer and the taxpayer's spouse and dependents. Limits such deduction to $10,000 ($5,000 for years 1996, 1997, and 1998). Reduces such limitation for modified adjusted gross incomes of $70,000 or more ($100,000 for a joint return). Allows such deduction in computing adjusted gross income. Title II: Provisions Relating to Individual Retirement Plans - Subtitle A: Retirement Savings Incentives - Part I: IRA Deduction - Increases the income limitations on retirement savings deductions and provides a cost-of-living adjustment after 1994 for such limitations. (Sec. 202) Provides a cost-of-living adjustment for deductible retirement amounts after 1995. (Sec. 203) Coordinates the limit on such deduction with the elective deferral limit under other pension provisions. Part II: Nondeductible Tax-Free IRAs - Establishes special individual retirement accounts that are nondeductible. Makes such accounts nontaxable if earnings on contributions are held for at least five years. Applies the early withdrawal penalty to distributions made before the end of the five-year period. Subtitle B: Penalty-Free Distributions - Allows distributions from certain retirement plans without penalty to purchase first homes, pay higher education expenses and financially devastating medical expenses (including qualified long-term care services), and assist certain unemployed individuals. (Sec. 222) Requires contributions to such plans to be held for at least five years prior to such distributions.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1995
1997 Franklin Delano Roosevelt Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue commemorative half-dollar silver coins whose obverse side shall bear a likeness of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and whose reverse side shall be emblematic of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, D.C. Mandates that the design for the coins shall be: (1) selected by the Secretary after consultation with the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts; and (2) reviewed by the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee. Declares that: (1) the coins shall be struck at the U.S. Bullion Depository at West Point; and (2) may be issued only from January 1, 1997, to December 31, 1997. Requires the Secretary to distribute proceeds from surcharges in equal allocations to: (1) the National Park Foundation Restricted Account for the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial; and (2) the National Park Service Restricted Construction Account for the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1995
Fish and Wildlife Management Act of 1995 - Makes technical changes to the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act. Amends the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 to designate a portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System.
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
Professional Baseball Antitrust Reform Act of 1995 - Amends the Clayton Act to make the antitrust laws applicable to the business of organized professional major league baseball with respect to labor- management relations. Specifies that this Act shall not affect: (1) the outcome of any antitrust litigation based on any area or activity of the business of professional baseball other than the area of, or an activity relating to, relations between labor and management of major league baseball; (2) the application of the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961; or (3) the applicability or nonapplicability of the antitrust laws to professional baseball's amateur draft, the minor league reserve clause, the Professional Baseball Agreement, or any other matter relating to the minor leagues. Makes the nonstatutory labor exemption from the antitrust laws inapplicable to any term or condition that: (11) is unilaterally imposed or maintained by any party that has been subject to an agreement between the owners of major league baseball and the labor organization representing the players of major league baseball; and (2) differs substantially from the provisions of the basic agreement between the two parties that expired on December 31, 1993. Specifies that nothing in this Act shall affect the scope or application of the nonstatutory labor exemption from the antitrust laws, that "term or condition" does not include a strike or lockout, and that this provision shall not apply to conduct that is incidental to or occurs after the mutual adoption of an agreement between the owners and the labor organization representing the players of major league baseball to replace the December 31, 1993, agreement, but shall apply to other conduct occurring before the adoption of such an agreement.
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 · 7 February 1995
Excludes from the determination of income, for purposes of the payment of pension by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, any monthly payments made by a State to blind and totally disabled veterans.
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
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
Missing Service Personnel Act of 1995 - Requires the military commander of the unit, facility, or area to which the following persons are assigned to conduct an investigation as to their whereabouts after receiving factual information that their status is uncertain: (1) military personnel who disappear during a period of war, national emergency, or hostilities; and (2) any civilian Federal employee (including an employee of a Federal contractor) who serves with or accompanies an armed force in the field during such a period. Requires such persons to be placed in a missing status and requires notification of such status to either the officer having general court-martial authority over the person (for military personnel) or the Secretary of the military department employing such person (for civilian and contractor employees). Requires such officials to be kept informed (specifies deadlines) as to all information and inquiries concerning efforts to locate such missing personnel. Requires such officials to appoint a board to conduct an inquiry into the whereabouts and status of such persons. Provides for: (1) board composition, activities, and access to information; (2) inquiry proceedings (requiring the appointment of counsel, with specified duties, to represent the missing person); (3) a board recommendation as to the official status of a person following such an inquiry; (4) board reports to the officials involved as to board conclusions (prohibiting public availability of such reports for a one-year period); (5) report review by the official; (6) a report from such official to interested persons; and (7) an additional investigation and inquiry by an additional board upon receipt of new information within one year after the date of the first official notice of a person's disappearance. Allows interested persons (family members, dependents, next of kin) to participate at the proceedings of the board during such additional inquiry. Provides for the availability of appropriate information to board personnel conducting investigations and inquiries. Provides similar procedures for the second board with respect to meetings (open to the public, with exceptions), recommendations, reports, review by the Secretary of the military department concerned, and reports to interested persons. Requires a board to be reconvened when information becomes available that would directly lead to a determination of a person's status. Requires the Secretary concerned to appoint a board to conduct an inquiry as to the status of a missing person: (1) on or about three years after the first official notice of the disappearance of such person; and (2) not later than every three years thereafter until a total of 12 years after the first official notice. Provides for: (1) the release to a board by the Secretary concerned of all personnel file information concerning missing persons; (2) the treatment of classified information; (3) penalties for the wrongful withholding of information; (4) limited circumstances under which a board may recommend that a missing person be declared officially dead; (5) the submission by the board of appropriate information if such recommendation occurs; and (6) judicial review for interested persons of a board decision to declare a person officially dead. Provides for the appointment of a board to review the status of a person previously declared dead, with board procedures similar to those described above. Requires a person previously declared dead or in a missing status who is subsequently found alive to be paid for the full time of their absence. Directs the Secretary concerned, upon the enlistment or commission of a person in an armed force, to require such person to specify in writing his or her dependents, immediate family, primary next of kin, and any other individual that the person shall designate for purposes of this Act. Allows for revision of such designation at any time.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1995
Federal Buildings Reform Act of 1995 - Amends the Public Buildings Act of 1959 to require the Administrator of General Services to submit to the Congress a biennial public buildings plan, including: (1) a five-year plan for accommodating the public building needs of the Government; (2) lists (in order of priority) of construction, alteration, purchase, and acquisition projects and of leases for which authorizations of appropriations are requested for specified fiscal years; (3) the estimated annual and total cost of each project and lease; and (4) any final environmental impact statement prepared for a project. Requires the Administrator to provide for a public hearing in the locality of each major project included in the biennial plan to consider the project's economic and social effects, environmental impact, and consistency with urban planning goals and objectives of the community. Repeals a provision of the Act prohibiting the employment of architectural or engineering services on a permanent basis. Directs the Administrator to use the results of the continuing investigation and survey of public buildings to establish a central repository for the asset management information of the Government. Directs each Federal agency to: (1) identify unneeded, obsolete, and underutilized public buildings; and (2) annually report specified information to the Administrator. Authorizes the Administrator to conduct research and post-occupancy evaluations to determine and improve the effectiveness of existing and planned public buildings. Requires the Administrator to ensure that: (1) the headquarters of each executive department and establishment is located within the National Capital region unless otherwise specified by Act of Congress; (2) the regional, district, area, or local offices of Federal agencies are centrally located with respect to residential populations served or other governmental and private offices with which the agencies must maintain communication; and (3) the Federal agency offices are located throughout the United States generally in proportion to the geographic distribution of the U.S. population, with exceptions. Establishes a Building Design Advisory Board for conducting design competitions and reviewing the architectural design of Federal buildings. Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (such Act) to require the Administrator to: (1) submit to the Board and to the Congress a list of projects for which architectural and engineering services for building design or site planning shall first be procured during the fiscal year; (2) designate a substantial number as projects for which such services shall be acquired through design competitions conducted under such Act; (3) issue model rules for conducting such projects; and (4) conduct each competition provided for under such Act. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) criteria for selection of designs; (2) recommendations concerning negotiations; (3) final selections; and (4) jury and adviser personnel matters. Requires the Administrator to require, as a condition of entering into any lease or other contract that would obligate funds in excess of $10,000 authorized pursuant to such Act, a certification consisting of declarations that the owner of the space to be leased or the contractor and any officer or principal employee of the contractor has: (1) no conflict of interest with the capacity of the person as a lessor or contractor with the Government; (2) not offered or promised anything of value to a public official for performing an official act; (3) not had a public contract terminated for default; and (4) not been convicted, indicted, or charged with specified offenses within ten years prior to the date of the solicitation for the lease or contract award. Requires the head of each Federal agency defined in the Act to review and report to the Congress on the long-term housing needs of the agency. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to report to the Congress on the feasibility and desirability of ending the monopoly of the General Services Administration with respect to providing office and storage space for Federal agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Thomas Cole National Historic Site Establishment Act of 1995 - Establishes the Thomas Cole National Historic Site, New York, as a unit of the National Park System. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) acquire specified lands and interests within the Site's boundaries and personal property associated with and appropriate for the interpretation of the site; (2) enter into cooperative agreements with the State of New York, the Thomas Cole Foundation, and other public and private entities to facilitate public understanding and enjoyment of the lives and works of the Hudson River artists through activities related to the preservation, interpretation, and use of the Site and with the Greene County Historical Society to provide for the establishment of a library and research center at the Site; and (3) display, and accept for display, works of art associated with Thomas Cole and other Hudson River artists. Directs the Secretary to: (1) administer the Site in accordance with this Act and all laws generally applicable to units of the National Park System; and (2) develop and submit to specified congressional committees a general management plan for the site, including recommendations for regional wayside exhibits. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
WTO Dispute Settlement Review Commission Act - Establishes the WTO Dispute Settlement Review Commission to review reports of dispute settlement panels or the Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in proceedings initiated by other WTO parties which are adverse to the United States and which are adopted by the Dispute Settlement Body. Requires the Commission to determine whether the panel or the Appellate Body: (1) exceeded its authority; (2) added to the obligations of or diminished the rights of the United States; (3) acted arbitrarily or capriciously, engaged in misconduct, or demonstrably departed from proper procedures; and (4) deviated, in its report, from the applicable standard of review. Requires the Commission, upon an affirmative determination on one or more of these questions, to further determine whether the action of the panel or the Appellate Body materially affected the outcome of its report. Requires the President, upon enactment of a joint resolution directing such action, to negotiate to amend or modify the rules and procedures of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes with respect to any affirmative determinations submitted to the Congress concerning the action of a panel or the Appellate Body. Provides for a joint resolution withdrawing congressional approval of the WTO agreement, ending U.S. participation in the WTO, if such negotiations do not result in a satisfactory solution. Sets forth provisions governing the participation in WTO panel proceedings of private U.S. persons supportive of the U.S. Government position at issue.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Lower East Side Tenement Museum National Historic Site Act of 1995 - Designates the Lower East Side Tenement Museum at 97 Orchard Street, New York, New York, as a National Historic Site. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire the Site with donated or appropriated funds, to enter into a cooperative agreement with the Museum designed to assure preservation and interpretation of the Site, and to acquire properties owned, operated, or used by the Museum. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Removes portions of, and adds specified lands to, the Women's Rights National Historical Park in New York. Extends the Women's Rights National Historical Park Advisory Commission to the year 2005. Increases the limit on the authorization of appropriations for the Park. Authorizes additional appropriations for FY 1995 for land acquisition and development.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire specified lands and interests (including development rights and easements) in the properties located at Hyde Park, New York, that were owned by Franklin D. Roosevelt or his family at the time of death, to be added to and administered as part of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt National Historic Site or the Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site, as appropriate. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Real Cost of Handgun Ammunition Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the excise tax on the sale of certain ammunition, except sales for law enforcement purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Real Cost of Destructive Ammunition Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the excise tax on handgun ammunition. Provides for such additional taxes to be added to the general fund. Imposes a special (occupational) tax on importers and manufacturers of certain handgun ammunition for each place of business.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Destructive Ammunition Prohibition Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the use of destructive ammunition, defined as any jacketed, hollow point projectile that may be used in a handgun and the jacket of which is designed to produce, upon impact, sharp-tipped, barb-like projections that extend beyond the diameter of the unfired projectile.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Bullet Death and Injury Control Program Title II: Increase in Excise Tax on Certain Bullets Title III: Use of Ammunition Violent Crime Control Act of 1995 - Title I: Bullet Death and Injury Control Program - Establishes within the Centers for Disease Control's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control a Bullet Death and Injury Control Program. Directs the Center to conduct research into, and provide leadership and coordination for: (1) the understanding and promotion of knowledge about the epidemiologic basis for bullet-related death and injury within the United States; (2) developing technically sound approaches for controlling and eliminating bullet-related deaths and injuries; (3) building the capacity for implementing the options and for expanding the approaches to controlling death and disease from bullet-related trauma; and (4) educating the public about the nature and extent of bullet-related violence. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the functions of the Center; and (2) establishment of an independent advisory board to assist in setting the policies for and directing the Program. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Increase in Excise Tax on Certain Bullets - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set the excise tax rate on .25 and .32 caliber and nine millimeter ammunition at 1,000 percent, with an exemption for law enforcement agencies. Title III: Use of Ammunition - Amends the Federal criminal code to require each licensed importer and manufacturer of ammunition to maintain records of and report annually on disposition of ammunition. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to prepare a study of the criminal use of, and regulation of, ammunition and to report to the Congress with recommendations on the potential for preventing crime by regulating or restricting the availability of ammunition.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Violent Crime Reduction Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the manufacture, transfer, importation, sale, or delivery of .25 or .32 caliber or nine millimeter ammunition, except for: (1) the use of the Federal Government or any State or local government; and (2) testing or experimenting authorized by the Secretary of the Treasury. Imposes a licensing fee of $1,000 per year upon manufacturers and importers of .25 or .32 caliber or nine millimeter ammunition. Requires licensed importers and manufacturers to mark all .25 and .32 caliber and nine millimeter ammunition and packages containing such ammunition for distribution. Includes .25 and .32 caliber and nine millimeter ammunition as restricted ammunition, the use of which during the commission of a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime carries a mandatory five-year prison term.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Handgun Ammunition Control Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal criminal code to: (1) require each licensed importer and manufacturer of ammunition to maintain records of, and submit an annual report on, the importation, production, shipment, sale, or other disposition of ammunition, including the amount, caliber, and type of ammunition, as prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury; and (2) increase licensing fees for manufacturers of ammunition. Directs the Secretary to request the National Academy of Sciences to: (1) prepare a study of the criminal use and regulation of ammunition; and (2) report to the Congress, not later than July 31, 1997, on the potential for preventing crime by regulating or restricting the availability of ammunition.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
United Nations 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act of 1995 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue five-dollar gold coins and one-dollar silver coins emblematic of the United Nations, to include the three opening words of the United Nations Charter, "We the peoples." Mandates that all surcharges received from coin sales be paid to the United Nations Association of the United States of America.
![Official portrait of Sen. Moynihan, Daniel Patrick [D-NY]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m001054_200.jpg)