United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1993
Davis-Bacon Reform Act - Amends the Davis-Bacon Act (the Act) to raise the threshold amount of contracts covered by such Act and related Acts. Requires computation of the prevailing wage for the particular urban or rural subdivision of the State in which the work is to be performed. Requires establishment as the prevailing wage the entire range of wages paid to the corresponding class of workers in an area. Excludes Federal or federally assisted projects from the determination of prevailing wage, unless there is insufficient wage data. Allows use of semi-skilled helpers, on projects covered by the Act, in areas where such use is an identifiable practice. Prohibits contract-splitting to avoid applications of the Act. Applies the Act to local projects only if at least 25 percent of the project costs are paid by Federal funds. Exempts volunteer labor from coverage under the Act. Provides for direct payment of any back pay due to workers under the Act. Amends the Copeland Anti-Kickback Act to revise payroll information reporting requirements. Directs the Secretary of Labor and the Comptroller General to report annually to the appropriate congressional committees on implementation and impact on local wages and on local and national economies of the Davis-Bacon Act and the Copeland Anti-Kickback Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1993
Impact Aid Reauthorization Act of 1993 - Reauthorizes and revises Federal law relating to financial assistance for local educational agencies in areas affected by Federal activity (impact aid). Extends the authorization of appropriations and authorizes additional appropriations for deposit in a contingency fund. Requires certain reservations of funds for: (1) impact aid relating to Federal acquisition of real property; (2) the contingency fund; and (3) heavily impacted need areas. Requires forward funding. Adds a hold harmless provision under impact aid relating to Federal acquisition of real property, whereby no eligible local educational agency (LEA) shall receive less than 90 percent of the preceding year's amount in payment for any fiscal year. Revises impact aid relating to federally connected children with respect to computation of payments, giving various weights in the formula to different categories of such children (with more emphasis given to children living on Indian lands and children in special education programs). Revises provisions for sudden and substantial changes in attendance to include increases resulting from base closure or military realignment activities. Directs the Secretary of Education to report certain expenditures within 30 days and include certain costs in annual budget submissions. Authorizes appropriations. Revises the method of making Federal impact aid payments. Includes a learning opportunity threshold to allow eligible LEAs to provide all their children a basic opportunity to learn. Requires States to meet an adequacy threshold before they can apply for equalization of State aid payments to all LEAs. Establishes a National Advisory Panel on School Finance and Impact Aid Equalization. Directs the Secretary of Defense to reserve certain amounts to provide supplemental impact aid to LEAs in cases of high need related to military changes. Establishes the Department of Education Contingency Fund for special impact aid under certain conditions. Requires negotiated rulemaking under certain conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1993
National Commission To Ensure Small Aircraft Safety Act of 1993 - Establishes the National Commission To Ensure Small Aircraft Safety. Requires the Commission to study and report to the President and the Congress on: (1) the current investigatory practices of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with respect to small aircraft safety; (2) the adequacy of such practices; (3) the coordination of NTSB and FAA investigations and enforcement of recommendations; (4) the enforcement of FAA small aircraft safety regulations; and (5) the impediments to full utilization of NTSB and FAA investigatory resources and enforcement. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1993
Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to: (1) initiate established procedures for the transfer of unobligated funds appropriated to the SBA for carrying out the small business guaranteed loan program authorized under the Small Business Act; and (2) submit a request for such transfer to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Directs the SBA, until July 1, 1993, to continue to receive and process applications for such assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1993
Physician Assistant Incentive Act of 1993 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide increased Medicare reimbursement for physician assistants at 97 percent of the physician fee schedule amount for services performed, regardless of the location or practice setting. Provides for bonus payments for services provided by physician assistants in health professional shortage areas. Removes restrictions on the employment relationship required for reimbursement of physician assistants and nurse practitioners to allow for independent contractor relationships.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1993
Primary Care Health Practitioner Incentive Act of 1991 (sic) - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide increased Medicare reimbursement for nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and certified nurse midwives (practitioners) for services performed without regard to location or practice setting. Provides for bonus payments for services provided by such practitioners in health professional shortage areas. Defines "clinical nurse specialist" as an individual who is a registered nurse, is licensed to practice nursing in the State in which the clinical nurse specialist services are performed, and holds a master's degree in a defined clinical area of nursing from an accredited educational institution.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1993
Wetlands Simplification Act - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 (FSA) to provide that: (1) a technical determination with respect to wetland or converted wetland on agricultural lands (including the identification of wetland and the development of a wetland restoration or mitigation plan) shall be used in the administration of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA) (thus giving the Soil Conservation Service sole Federal responsibility for making such determination); and (2) any area of agricultural land or any activities related to the land determined to be exempt from the requirements of FSA shall also be exempt from FWPCA requirements as long as such lands are used for agriculture.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1993
Expresses the sorrow of the Senate regarding the deaths of Governor George Mickelson of South Dakota, Roland Dolly, Ron Reed, Angus Anson, Dave Birkeland, Roger Hainje, Ron Becker, and David Hansen.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1993
Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to define a "dietary supplement" as a food for special dietary use that includes a vitamin, a mineral, an herb, an amino acid, or another ingredient used to supplement the diet by increasing total dietary intake. Excludes a dietary supplement from the definition of the term "drug" and the term "food additive". Deems a dietary supplement adulterated if it presents a substantial and unreasonable risk of illness or injury. Deems a food misbranded unless the label lists the daily value of specified nutrients which shall reflect the daily intake of each nutrient that will promote optiomal health. Prohibits such value from being less than the U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance. Deems a dietary supplement misbranded unless it meets specified guidelines. Establishes an Office of Dietary Supplements within the National Institutes of Health. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1993
Condemns the human rights abuses of the Government of Sudan and calls upon such Government to cease such abuses. Deplores the internecine fighting among factions of the Sudan People's Liberation Army. Urges such Government and factions to grant immediate and full access to areas of needy people in Sudan to humanitarian relief organizations. Calls upon the President to: (1) expand relief operations to Sudan; (2) increase the amount and expedite delivery of financial assistance to non-governmental organizations that supply emergency aid to southern Sudan; (3) urge the United Nations (UN) to take specified steps; (4) appoint a U.S. Special Negotiator; and (5) take action in the international community to put pressure on any party in Sudan that obstructs the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1993
Airline Predatory Pricing Prevention Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to require the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to investigate allegations that an air carrier has engaged in predatory pricing in the provision of air transportation in a city-pair market and to order, in the significant likelihood that one of two specified predatory pricing indicators exists, such air carrier to cease and desist from engaging in the alleged pricing until the conclusion of a full investigation or 90 days after such order, whichever occurs first. Sets forth civil penalties for failure to obey such order.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1993
Prohibits an increase in the excise tax on the sale of non-jet aviation fuel and jet aviation fuel that is sold to a registered commercial aircraft operator for use in transporting passengers or cargo. Prohibits any direct or indirect tax on such fuels or the energy content of petroleum or petroleum products in the production of such fuels. Allows such aircraft operators to reclaim taxes attributable to aviation fuel used to transport passengers or cargo.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1993
Vegetable Ink Printing Act of 1993 - Requires that all Federal lithographic printing using oil in its ink be performed using the maximum amount of vegetable oil-based ink that is technologically feasible and commercially cost-competitive with printing using petroleum-based inks.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1993
Rural Rail Infrastructure Act of 1993 - Amends the Department of Transportation Act to increase the FY 1994 authorization of appropriations for local rail freight assistance. Authorizes appropriations for such assistance for FY 1995 through 1997. Requires the Secretary of Transportation, in addition to other criteria used in considering applications for rail freight assistance, to give priority to projects which enhance safety, including projects which improve, rehabilitate, or reconstruct bridges. Amends the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 to authorize specified amounts of loan guarantees for any fiscal year for railroad improvements. Revises repayment, prepayment penalty, and interest rate provisions with respect to such guarantees.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1993
Terminates certain economic sanctions against Vietnam. Terminates the prohibition on the export and reexport of U.S. commodities and technical data to, and the import of certain goods from, such country. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to prescribe regulations imposing less restrictive export controls on such items to Vietnam, but no more restrictive than the controls for such items with respect to China.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1993
Product Liability Fairness Act - Declares that this Act applies to any civil action brought against a manufacturer or product seller, on any theory, for harm caused by a product. Excludes actions brought for loss or damage to a product or for commercial loss. States that: (1) this Act supersedes any State law only to the extent that this Act establishes an applicable rule of law; and (2) the provisions of title I shall not supersede or preempt any applicable State or Federal law. Title I: Expedited Judgments and Alternative Dispute Resolution Procedures - Sets forth expedited settlement procedures, including: (1) the option of allowing either the claimant or the defendant to offer a judgment for a specific dollar amount as complete satisfaction of the claim; and (2) alternative dispute resolution (ADR) procedures. Establishes penalties for: (1) parties who refused an offer and did worse at trial; and (2) a defendant who refuses ADR and then loses at trial. Title II: Standards for Civil Actions - States that a person seeking to recover for harm caused by a product may bring a civil action against the product's manufacturer or product seller pursuant to applicable State or Federal law, except to the extent such law is inconsistent with this Act. Sets forth uniform standards for: (1) product seller liability; (2) the award of punitive damages; and (3) time limitations on liability. Bars punitive damages if the requirements of specified Federal laws have been met. Entitles an employer or workers' compensation insurer to the right of subrogation against a manufacturer or product seller to recover workers' compensation for harm caused to an employee by a product if a civil suit has been brought under this Act. Provides that each defendant shall only be liable for the amount of noneconomic loss proportionally caused. Provides a complete defense, in any civil action in which all defendants are manufacturers or product sellers, in cases where the claimant was under the influence of alcohol or drugs and was more than 50 percent responsible for the harm.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1993
Port of Entry Inspections Improvement Act of 1993 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to create grounds for exclusion of an alien who: (1) uses or attempts to use a fraudulent document to enter the United States, or to board a common carrier for such purpose; or (2) uses a document to board a common carrier and then fails to present such document to an immigration official upon arrival at a U.S. port of entry. Prohibits the granting of asylum to an alien who is found to be using fraudulent entry documents or who fails to present entry-related documents, unless a specially trained immigration officer determines such actions were pursuant to departure from a country: (1) in which the alien had a credible fear of persecution; or (2) from which there was a significant danger that the alien would be returned to a country in which he or she would have a credible fear of persecution. Provides for port of entry exclusion and deportation without administrative or judicial appeal (except by a limited petition of habeas corpus) for such admission document fraud. Increases penalties for certain alien smuggling offenses. Creates a separate offense and penalty for an alien smuggler who seriously injures or jeopardizes the life of an alien.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Managed Competition in Health Care Plans Subtitle A: Health Plan Purchasing Cooperatives Subtitle B: Accountable Health Plans (AHPs) Subtitle C: Federal Health Board Title II: Primary and Preventive Care Services Title III: Tax Incentives to Increase Health Care Access Title IV: Disclosure of Certain Information to Beneficiaries Under the Medicare and Medicaid Programs Title V: Cooperative Agreements Between Hospitals Title VI: Patient's Right to Decline Medical Treatment Title VII: Insurance Administration Simplification Title VIII: Child Health Care Title IX: Improving Access to Health Care for Rural and Underserved Areas Subtitle A: Revenue Incentives for Practice in Rural Areas Subtitle B: Public Health Service Act Provisions Title X: Primary and Preventive Care Providers Title XI: Malpractice Reform Title XII: Medicare Preferred Provider Demonstration Projects Title XIII: Treatment and Outcomes Research Title XIV: Long-Term Care Subtitle A: Tax Treatment of Qualified Long-Term Care Insurance Policies Subtitle B: Tax Incentives for Purchase of Qualified Long-Term Care Insurance Subtitle C: Medicaid Amendments Title XV: Financing Title XVI: Responsibilities Under Uniform Set of Effective Benefits Title XVII: Enforcement Provisions Comprehensive Access and Affordability Health Care Act of 1993 - Title I: Managed Competition in Health Care Plans - (Sec. 100) Mandates grants to States for the costs under this title. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 101) Requires States to establish Health Plan Purchasing Cooperatives (HPPCs) to: (1) make agreements with Accountable Health Plans (AHPs); (2) make agreements with small employers; (3) enroll individuals in AHPs; (4) receive premiums and forward the premiums to AHPs; and (5) coordinate with other HPPCs. (Sec. 104) Requires HPPCs to: (1) distribute comparative AHP information; and (2) add a percentage to premiums to cover the HPPCs' budgets. (Sec. 111) Requires that an AHP: (1) offer the uniform set of effective benefits specified by the Federal Health Board; (2) not discriminate on the basis of health status, claims, or lack of evidence of insurability (regulates preexisting condition exclusions); (3) establish standard premiums; (4) meet solvency protection requirements; and (5) have a grievance procedure for enrollees, restrict physician incentive plans, and meet requirements regarding advance directives. (Sec. 118) Sets forth additional requirements for open AHPs: (1) an agreement with a HPPC; (2) open enrollment; and (3) for "eligible organizations" under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, having a Medicare risk sharing contract for offering benefits to Medicare beneficiaries. Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 to make existing provisions relating to Medicare select policies effective after a specified date. (Currently, the provisions apply only in 15 States and only during a specified period.) Requires open AHPs to participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP). Prohibits enrollment in a plan under FEHBP unless it is an AHP. Regulates the Federal FEHBP contribution. (Sec. 119) Requires an AHP that does not meet specified requirements of this title to pay the Board amounts as required to put the AHP in the same financial position as the AHP would have been in if it had meet the requirement. (Sec. 120) Preempts State laws or regulations regarding AHPs. (Sec. 121) Limits State restrictions on network plans (plans that: (1) limit coverage to benefits provided by participating providers; or (2) allow the use of non-participating providers, imposing higher cost sharing). (Sec. 122) Preempts State laws or regulations prohibiting or regulating activities under a utilization review program. (Sec. 131) Establishes the Federal Health Board, to be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. (Sec. 132) Requires that the uniform set of effective benefits specified by the Board include the full range of: (1) treatment for any condition if the treatment reasonably improves or significantly ameliorates the condition; and (2) preventive services, including counseling. Mandates guidelines concerning nondiscrimination towards individuals with, and coverage for treatment of, severe mental illnesses. Requires uniform deductibles and cost-sharing. (Sec. 133) Requires the Board to establish as nonprofit corporations the Health Benefits and Data Standards Board and the Health Plan Standards Board to make recommendations to the Board. Provides funding through annual AHP registration fees. (Sec. 135) Provides for waivers to permit a State to use funds under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to enroll individuals in an AHP. (Sec. 136) Mandates: (1) rules for risk adjustment of premiums among AHPs by HPPCs; and (2) standards for information reporting by AHPs. (Sec. 138) Requires analysis, rating, and publication regarding the quality of care provided by specialized centers of care. (Sec. 139) Mandates a report on: (1) the extent that AHP enrollees have greater health service needs than the population of those eligible to enroll; (2) methods for reducing adverse impacts resulting from such adverse selection; and (3) the impact of requiring all eligible individuals to enroll. Title II: Primary and Preventive Care Services - (Sec. 201) Authorizes grants: (1) to States for coordinated, multidisciplinary, and comprehensive primary health care and social services for pregnant women and infants; and (2) for the development of model health and nutrition curricula for children in primary and secondary education. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 202) Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for: (1) immunization programs; (2) tuberculosis and sexually transmitted disease prevention programs; (3) migrant and community health centers; (4) health services for the homeless; (5) family planning services; (6) breast and cervical cancer prevention; (7) preventive health and health services block grants; and (8) early intervention services regarding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease. Amends title V (Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant) of the Social Security Act to authorize appropriations to improve the health of all mothers and children. (Sec. 203) Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to replace provisions relating to school health education with provisions mandating grants to States for local programs of comprehensive health education and prevention, early health intervention, and health education in elementary and secondary schools. Establishes the Office of Comprehensive School Health Education. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 204) Mandates grants to Head Start training agencies for training and technical assistance regarding health education to Head Start teachers and other child care providers. Reserves funds for the development of innovative model health education programs or curricula. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 205) Considers, for purposes of Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to medical care deductions, qualified expenditures for disease prevention and health promotion programs to be amounts paid for medical care. (Sec. 206) Mandates grants to States for assistance to businesses with not over 100 employees for the establishment and operation of work site employee wellness programs. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Tax Incentives to Increase Health Care Access - (Sec. 301) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a credit for a percentage of accountable health plan costs (amounts paid by individuals for insurance which constitutes Medicare) limited to the reference premium amount applicable in a HPPC area. Allows employers to make advance payments of such costs for employees with eligibility certificates. Coordinates such credit with other health insurance credits and deductions. Terminates the health insurance credit under earned income provisions. (Sec. 302) Disallows a deduction for the excess health plan expenses of any employer. (Sec. 303) Increases and makes permanent the deduction for health insurance costs of self-employed individuals from 25 percent to 100 percent. Limits such deduction to accountable health plan costs. (Sec. 304) Sets forth special rules for the deduction for health plan premium expenses. (Sec. 305) Excludes from the gross income of an employee employer-provided basic coverage under an accountable health plan. Title IV: Disclosure of Certain Information to Beneficiaries under the Medicare and Medicaid Programs - (Sec. 401) Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to mandate regulations requiring each provider receiving payment under titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to: (1) make available to service recipients an annual report regarding rates of mortality and nosocomial infection, frequently-performed tests, and malpractice claims; (2) make certain information available before an invasive procedure or treatment is performed; and (3) inform individuals of their right to refuse information and treatment, to refuse provider attendance, and to leave the premises. (Sec. 402) Authorizes grants for outreach activities to inform Medicare beneficiaries of the information. Authorizes appropriations. Mandates a Medicaid outreach program. Title V: Cooperative Agreements Between Hospitals - (Sec. 502) Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Attorney General to waive antitrust laws to permit hospitals to enter into cooperative agreements to share medical or high technology equipment or services, including drugs, devices, medical and surgical procedures, and organizational and support systems. Title VI: Patient's Right to Decline Medical Treatment - (Sec. 601) Prohibits State restrictions, except to protect a third party, on the right of: (1) a competent person to consent to or decline medical treatment; or (2) an incompetent person to consent to or decline medical treatment through mandated national forms containing advance directives and durable powers of attorney. Requires all health care providers to honor the forms. Shields providers who act in good faith from criminal or civil liability or professional discipline. Denies Medicare and Medicaid payment for services contrary to advance directives. (Sec. 603) Declares that this title does not permit, condone, authorize, or approve suicide or mercy killing or any affirmative act to end a human life. (Sec. 605) Requires conforming changes to policies relating to Medicare and Medicaid advance directives provisions. (Sec. 606) Requires that information on an individual's right to consent to or decline treatment be provided periodically to beneficiaries under titles II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) (OASDI), XVI (Grants to States for Aid to the Aged, Blind, or Disabled), XVIII (Medicare), and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act. (Sec. 607) Mandates recommendations to the Congress concerning the medical, legal, ethical, social, and educational issues related to this title. Title VII: Insurance Administration Simplification - (Sec. 701) Amends the Social Security Act to create a new title on health insurance. Establishes the Health Insurance Standards Commission, requiring it to: (1) make recommendations regarding implementation of the title; and (2) develop a long-term plan for computerized billing and eligibility and uniform standards for electronic data interchange. Requires that the resulting system: (1) not be mandatory for a provider in a whole-county nonmetropolitan Health Professional Shortage Area; and (2) apply to participants under titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act. Title VIII: Children's Health Care - (Sec. 801) Establishes a program under which local educational agencies receiving Federal assistance are required to offer basic health insurance coverage to eligible students in schools. Sets forth student eligibility requirements, including: (1) being uninsured for at least six months; and (2) not being covered by title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act. Authorizes withholding from a noncomplying local educational agency a specified percentage of Federal educational assistance. (Sec. 802) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for qualified amounts paid for policies under this Act. Phases out the credit as income goes from 100 percent to 200 percent of the poverty line. (Sec. 803) Requires development of a single model uniform application form and process for benefits under the Special Supplemental Food Program (WIC Program) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, the Maternal and Child Health Service Block Grant Program (title V) of the Social Security Act, and Medicaid (the Programs). (Sec. 804) Mandates grants to not more than five States for demonstration projects to encourage women to obtain prenatal and well-baby care under the Programs. (Sec. 805) Authorizes appropriations to carry out this title. Title IX: Improved Access to Health Care for Rural and Underserved Areas - (Sec. 901) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for service by a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner who: (1) provides primary health services to individuals in a rural health professional shortage area; and (2) is not receiving a National Health Service Corps scholarship or loan repayment and is not fulfilling service obligations under those programs. Excludes National Health Service Corps loan repayments from gross income. Allows, with regard to elections to expense depreciable business assets, a higher aggregate cost to be taken into account for rural health care property in a rural health professional shortage area. Allows a deduction for interest paid on medical education loans by an individual performing services under an agreement to perform professional services in a rural community. Allows use of the deduction in computing adjusted gross income. (Sec. 911) Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations to carry out provisions relating to the National Health Service Corps scholarship and loan repayment program. Earmarks certain portions to carry out provisions of this Act relating to federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). (Sec. 912) Mandates: (1) allotments to States for community based primary health care entities providing services to pregnant women and children to age three; and (2) grants to FQHCs and other entities for providing services for medically underserved populations or in high impact areas not currently served by an FQHC. Authorizes appropriations. Requires a study of the relationship and interaction between community health centers and hospitals in medically underserved areas. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 914) Authorizes grants for development and implementation of a plan for rural mental health outreach. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 915) Requires giving priority, in making grants under provisions of the Public Health Service Act relating to health professions education or to nurse education, to factors relating to medically underserved areas. Mandates grants to: (1) health professions institutions to expand training for individuals desiring to practice in or serve medically underserved communities; and (2) regional consortia to enhance and expand coordination among health professions programs, particularly in medically underserved rural areas. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 916) Authorizes grants for the development of networks among rural and urban health care providers to preserve and share resources and enhance the quality and availability of rural health care. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 917) Authorizes grants to develop and administer rural cooperatives to establish a case management and reimbursement system supporting the economic viability of essential public or private health services, facilities, health care systems, and resources. Requires the cooperative to: (1) facilitate negotiations among member providers and third party payers concerning reimbursement rates; (2) identify and implement a malpractice insurance program and pay a portion of the premiums of provider members; and (3) establish joint case management and patient care practice standards programs that members must meet in order to participate in the negotiations. Allows employers to join the cooperative in order to provide, through a third party payer, health insurance to their employees. Authorizes appropriations. Title X: Primary and Preventive Care Providers - (Sec. 1001) Amends Medicare provisions to modify or establish payment requirements regarding certified nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and physician assistants. Mandates bonus payments for such individuals and for certified registered nurse anesthetists for service in health professional shortage areas. (Sec. 1002) Includes physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and certified registered nurse anesthetists in the Medicaid definition of "medical assistance" for which payment will be made. (Sec. 1003) Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish grants programs to: (1) provide medical (including osteopathic medical) students for programs to interest high school or college students in careers in general medical practice; and (2) develop strategies for recruiting and placing medical students interested in practicing general medicine. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1004) Amends Medicare provisions to allow entities with approved medical residency training programs (as well as hospitals) to receive payments for direct medical education costs. Mandates payments for indirect costs of medical education. Modifies requirements regarding payments to hospitals for such indirect costs. Title XI: Malpractice Reform - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish a program of grants to assist States in establishing prelitigation panels that identify claims of professional negligence that merit compensation, encourage resolution of meritorious claims prior to suit, and encourage withdrawal or dismissal of nonmeritorious claims. Authorizes appropriations. Title XII: Medicare Preferred Provider Demonstration Projects - (Sec. 1201) Provides for up to ten demonstration projects to test the effectiveness of providing payment under Medicare for primary and specialty procedures and services furnished by preferred provider organizations. Allows waiver of Medicare requirements as necessary. Title XIII: Treatment and Outcomes Research - (Sec. 1301) Authorizes establishment of a program for the conduct of clinical trials regarding promising new drugs and disease treatments. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1302) Authorizes appropriations for the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a tax on health insurance premiums. Establishes the Trust Fund for Medical Treatment Outcomes Research and deposits the revenue from the tax in the Fund, making those amounts available for outcomes research. (Sec. 1303) Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit use of guidelines established by the Office of the Forum for Quality and Effectiveness in Health Care in any Federal or State action arising from health care services, except by a provider who is a party to the action. Requires, if introduced, that the guidelines establish a rebuttable presumption that the service prescribed by the guidelines is the appropriate standard of medical care. Title XIV: Long-Term Care - Subtitle A: Tax Treatment of Qualified Long-Term Care Insurance Policies - (Sec. 1403) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the treatment of qualified long-term care insurance as accident and health insurance for purposes of insurance company taxation. (Sec. 1404) Provides for the exclusion as a death benefit of any amount paid to an individual under a life insurance contract because such individual is terminally ill, has a dread disease, or has been permanently confined to a nursing home. Subtitle B: Tax Incentives for Purchase of Qualified Long-Term Care Insurance - (Sec. 1411) Allows a tax credit for a percentage of qualified long-term care premiums. (Sec. 1412) Allows a deduction for expenses relating to long-term care and an exclusion from gross income of benefits received from long-term care insurance. (Sec. 1414) Allows a deduction for employers of contributions made for long-term care insurance if any refund or premium is applied to reduce the future costs of the plan or increase its benefits. (Sec. 1415) Allows the inclusion of such insurance in cafeteria plans. (Sec. 1416) Excludes from gross income amounts withdrawn from individual retirement accounts and certain employer cash or deferred arrangements to pay long-term care premiums and expenses. Increases the amounts of deductible contributions to individual retirement plans. (Sec. 1417) Excludes from gross income amounts received from the surrender, cancellation, or exchange of any life insurance contract if such amounts are used to pay premiums for long-term care insurance. (Sec. 1418) Authorizes the tax-free use of the gain from the sale of a principal residence for the purchase of long-term health care insurance. Subtitle C: Medicaid Amendments - (Sec. 1421) Amends title XIX of the Social Security Act (Medicaid) to set forth eligibility requirements for long-term care benefits and to require coverage of home and community-based long-term care. Title XV: Financing - (Sec. 1501) Repeals the dollar limitation on the amount of wages subject to hospital insurance tax. Title XVI: Responsibilities Under Uniform Set of Effective Benefits - (Sec. 1601) Requires that employment-related health plans not: (1) deny or condition coverage based on health, claims, or lack of evidence of insurability of an individual; (2) discourage coverage of preexisting conditions; (3) impose waiting periods; and (4) apply differently to employees of different income levels. Requires employer contributions to be the same or higher for employees of a specified low income as for higher-income employees. (Sec. 1602) Requires that, to be eligible for Federal benefits, an individual possess health insurance meeting the standards of this title, except for enrollment under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, the veterans' health care program, the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS), the Indian health service program, and the Federal employees program. (Sec. 1603) Specifies the matters a self-insured health benefit plan must demonstrate in order to obtain certification as a health plan. (Sec. 1604) Requires providers, as a condition of participation in the health plan, to accept any payment specified by the Federal Health Board as full payment for the service performed. Title XVII: Enforcement Provisions - (Sec. 1701) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth enforcement provisions for health plan carriers, providers, employers, and employees.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1993
Declares that it is a shared interest of the public and private sectors at the Federal, State, and local levels to provide access to high quality, affordable health care coverage and services for every man, woman, and child in the United States, and that collectively we commit outselves to take the necessary steps towards that goal.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1993
Government Printing Office Electronic Information Access Enhancement Act of 1993 - Requires the Superintendant of Documents, under the direction of the Public Printer, to establish a means for providing the public with online access to electronic public information of the Federal Government. Sets forth guidelines for determining fees for accessing such information. Permits depository libraries to access information through such means without charge. Requires the Public Printer to report to the Congress on the savings resulting from such online public access to Government information and on the status of the system providing such access.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1993
National Cooperative Production Amendments Act of 1993 - Amends the National Cooperative Research Act of 1984 to apply such Act to joint ventures for the production of a product, process, or service and the testing in connection with such production. Revises the Act to exclude from the definition of "joint venture" activities where two or more persons enter into an agreement or engage in any other conduct restricting, requiring, or otherwise involving the marketing, distribution, or provision by any person who is a party to such venture of any product, process, or service other than: (1) the distribution among the parties to such venture of a product, process, or service produced by the venture; (2) the marketing of proprietary information developed through the venture formed under a written agreement entered into before the date of this Act's enactment; or (3) the licensing, conveying, or transferring of intellectual property developed through such venture formed under a written agreement entered into on or after such date. Excludes from such definition the following activities: (1) entering into any agreement or engaging in any other conduct allocating a market with a competitor; (2) exchanging among competitors information relating to production (other than production by such venture) of a product, process, or service if such information is not reasonably required to carry out the purpose of such venture; (3) entering into any agreement or engaging in any other conduct restricting, requiring, or otherwise involving the production of a product, process, or service (other than the production by such venture); (4) using existing facilities in connection with the production of a product, process, or service by such venture unless the use is for the production of a new product or technology; and (5) entering into any agreement or engaging in any other conduct to restrict or require participation by any party to such venture in any unilateral or joint activity that is not reasonably required to carry out the purpose of the venture, with exceptions. Modifies the "rule of reason" standard to provide that, in any action under Federal antitrust law or similar State law, the conduct of any person in making or performing a contract to carry out a joint venture shall not be deemed illegal per se, but shall be judged based on its reasonableness, taking into account all relevant factors affecting competition, including effects on competition in properly defined, relevant research, development, product, process, and service markets. Specifies that: (1) for the purpose of determining a properly defined, relevant market, worldwide capacity shall be considered if appropriate in the circumstances; and (2) if a purpose of a joint venture is the production of a product, process, or service, a party to such venture may file a written notification of the identity and nationality of any party to the venture or controlling entity. Makes protections of the Act inapplicable with respect to a joint venture's production of a product, process, or service, unless: (1) the principal facilities for such production are located in the United States or its territories; and (2) each person who controls any party to such venture (including the party itself) is a U.S. person or a foreign person from a country whose law accords antitrust treatment no less favorable to U.S. persons than to that country's domestic persons with respect to participation in joint ventures for production. Sets forth reporting requirements regarding joint ventures and U.S. competitiveness.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1993
Local Exchange Infrastructure Modernization Act of 1993 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to exercise its authority to: (1) preserve and enhance universal telephone service at reasonable rates; (2) achieve universal availability of advanced network capabilities and information services; (3) assure a seamless nationwide distribution network through joint network planning, coordination, and service arrangements between and among local exchange carriers (LECs); (4) maintain high standards of quality for advanced network services; and (5) assure adequate communication for the public health, safety, defense, education, national security, and emergency preparedness. Defines "local exchange carrier" for purposes of such Act. Requires the FCC to prescribe regulations that require: (1) joint coordinated network planning, design, and cooperative implementation among all LECs in the provision of public switched network infrastructure and services; (2) development of standards for interconnection between the LEC public switched network and others by appropriate standard-setting bodies; and (3) a LEC to share public switched network infrastructure and functionality with requesting LECs which serve a geographic area for which they lack economies of scale or scope for the particular required network functionality.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for the portion of employer social security taxes paid with respect to employee cash tips. Makes such credit part of the general business credit.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1993
Declares that: (1) the United States should work with the United Nations Security Council to lift the international arms embargo as it applies to Bosnia-Herzegovina; and (2) such action should be taken on a timely basis to complement the peace process.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1993
Expresses the sense of the Congress that ethanol fuels and biomass fuels other than ethanol should be exempt from any new energy tax enacted during the 103d Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Authorization of Appropriations Title II: Reducing the Burden of Federal Federal Paperwork on the Public Title III: Enhancing Federal Agency Responsibility and Accountability for Reducing the Burden of Federal Paperwork Title IV: Enhancing Government Responsibility and Accountability for Reducing the Burden of Federal Paperwork Title V: Enhancing Agency Responsibility for Sharing and Disseminating Public Information Title VI: Additional Government Information Management Responsibility Title VII: Effective Dates Paperwork Reduction Act of 1993 - Title I: Authorization of Appropriations - Amends the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 to authorize appropriations to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. Title II: Reducing the Burden of Federal Paperwork on the Public - Applies the Act to all federally sponsored paperwork. Requires a Government-wide paperwork reduction goal of at least five percent and individual agency goals that aggregate to the Government-wide goal. Title III: Enhancing Federal Agency Responsibility and Accountability for Reducing the Burden of Federal Paperwork - Makes the senior official charged with carrying out the responsibilities of a Federal agency under the Act the head of a separate office with qualified staff responsible for assuring agency compliance with requirements under the Act. Requires each agency to: (1) prepare estimates of the burden that will result from proposed collections of information; (2) develop a strategic Information Resources Management Plan; and (3) establish oversight procedures for agency information systems. Requires each agency head to establish a certification process for the review of each information collection request before it is submitted to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval. Title IV: Enhancing Government Responsibility and Accountability for Reducing the Burden of Federal Paperwork - Makes the OMB Director responsible for ensuring that all information collection requests display an estimate of the paperwork burden for each response. Requires OMB procedures in order for agencies to estimate such burden. Requires OMB pilot projects to test approaches to improve information management practices and related activities. Reduces the time afforded the OMB Director for approving a routine agency request to collect information. Provides for greater participation by the public and Federal agencies in the review of proposed paperwork burdens generated by agency information requests. Requires the OMB Director to make publicly available any decision to disapprove a collection of information requirement contained in an agency rule, together with the reasons for such decision. Provides protection for whistleblowers of unauthorized Federal paperwork burdens. Provides for expedited OMB review of an agency information request with a reduced paperwork burden. Title V: Enhancing Agency Responsibility for Sharing and Disseminating Public Information - Provides for Government-wide standards for sharing and disseminating public information. Imposes certain responsibilities on Federal agencies for sharing and disseminating public information. Abolishes the Federal Information Locator System established in the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs and replaces it with a system in each agency for providing public access via electronic and other means to a comprehensive inventory of agency information dissemination products. Title VI: Additional Government Information Management Responsibility - Revises the statistical policy and coordination functions of the OMB Director. Requires the OMB Director to: (1) establish an interagency working group on statistical policy to coordinate agency statistical activities; and (2) provide training in the statistical policy functions of the chief statistician to Federal employees. Provides for the use of electronic information collection and dissemination techniques to reduce the Federal paperwork burden. Requires the OMB Director's annual report to the Congress to list any increased Federal paperwork burdens and describe each agency's plans to implement the applicable policies, standards, and guidelines under the Act. Requires the OMB Director to develop a plan for meeting the automatic data processing needs of the Federal Government in accordance with the Act and certain requirements of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949. Title VII: Effective Dates - Sets forth the effective dates for this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow farmers' cooperatives to include gains or losses from the sale or other disposition of assets in net earnings from business done with or for patrons if the assets were used to facilitate the conduct of business.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1993
Title I: Improved Bankruptcy Administration Title II: Commercial Issues in Bankruptcy Title III: Consumer Bankruptcy Issues Title IV: Bankruptcy Review Commission Title V: Technical Corrections Title VI: Severability; Effective Date; Application of Amendments Bankruptcy Amendments Act of 1993 - Title I: Improved Bankruptcy Administration - Amends Federal bankruptcy law with respect to expedited hearings on a motion to lift an automatic stay; (2) the expedited filing of plans under chapters 11 and 12; and (3) expedited procedure for reaffirmation of debts. (Sec. 105) Permits bankruptcy court judges to hold status conferences, and to issue case limitations and conditions at such conferences. Amends the Federal judicial code to mandate that the judicial council of a circuit establish a bankruptcy appellate panel service composed of district bankruptcy judges in the circuit, subject to the consent of all parties. Sets forth appeals guidelines. (Sec. 106) Permits bankruptcy administrators (in a State in which the bankruptcy system is administered by a Bankruptcy Administrator instead of a U.S. Trustee) to preside at meetings of creditors and equity security holders, and to examine the debtor at creditors' meetings. (Sec. 107) Amends the Bankruptcy Code to include within the definition of "person" pension benefit guarantors and legal or beneficial owners of an asset of an eligible deferred compensation plan or of a governmental employee pension benefit plan (thus enabling such persons, State pension funds, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation to serve on creditors' committees). (Sec. 108) Revises current guidelines to permit increases in the incentive compensation for bankruptcy trustees. (Sec. 109) Increases the dollar limitations and debt limits applicable to specified bankruptcy procedures (thus enlarging the range of debtors eligible to repay debts over a period from regular income Chapter 13 debtors, and accounting for inflation since 1978). (Sec. 110) Conforms the premerger notification provisions of the Bankruptcy Code to the requirements for antitrust review of transactions under the Clayton Act. (Sec. 111) Entitles members of Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization committees to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses. (Sec. 112) Continues through FY 1998 Chapter 12 bankruptcy provisions concerning family farmers. (Sec. 113) Directs the Judicial Conference of the United States to report to the Congress on efforts to automate and computerize the bankruptcy courts and provide necessary information about the commencement of the case in bankruptcy. (Sec. 115) Treats as an administrative expense of an estate in bankruptcy minimum funding contributions to an employee pension benefit plan for which the debtor is liable which accrue on or after the date of the commencement of the case in bankruptcy. (Sec. 116) Requires the U.S. trustee, at the conclusion of any meeting of creditors or equity security holders, to examine the debtor orally and record his or her knowledge of the consequences of filing for bankruptcy. Title II: Commercial Issues in Bankruptcy - Establishes the legal parameters under which a business debtor (or a party in interest) may elect to convert the case to expedited bankruptcy proceedings customized to small businesses. (Sec. 202) Sets forth automatic stay guidelines regarding proceedings against a debtor's single asset real estate. (Sec. 203) States that the right of a party with a security interest in certain aircraft equipment, maritime vessels, or railroad rolling stock equipment to take possession of such equipment or vessels in compliance with an equipment security agreement is not affected by the automatic stay or property use or sale provisions of the bankruptcy code or by any injunctive power of the bankruptcy court, except in specific circumstances. (Sec. 204) Requires a trustee, under Chapter 11, to perform the debtor's obligations which arise pursuant to an order for relief under an unexpired lease of personal property until the lease is assumed or rejected. (Sec. 205) Sets forth guidelines for: (1) the protection of assignees of executory contracts and unexpired leases approved by court order in cases reversed on appeal; (2) the protection of security interests in post-petition rents; (3) the withholding of post-petition debtor's income for certain retirement plan loan repayments; (4) indenture trustee compensation; (5) return of goods; (6) a debtor's interests in the proceeds of money order agreements; (7) liability limitations with respect to noninsider transferees for avoided transfers; (8) executory contracts for airport gate leases and (9) injunctions requiring Chapter 11 debtors to pay insurance benefits to retired employees and (10) the nondischargeability of credit loans to pay nondischargeable taxes. Title III: Consumer Bankruptcy Issues - Permits a Chapter 13 debtor to cure a home mortgage default on its principal residence before its foreclosure sale. (Sec. 302) Declares certain criminal fines nondischargeable under a Chapter 13 proceeding. (Sec. 303) Provides that a petition in bankruptcy does not operate as an automatic stay with respect to an action or proceeding for: (1) the establishment of paternity; or (2) the establishment or modification of an order for child or spousal maintenance or support. Includes within the priority list of expenses and claims that are to be paid by the bankrupt estate any claims for child or spousal support pursuant to a court order. Declares that a debtor in bankruptcy may not avoid a judicial lien that secures a debt for child and spousal support or maintenance. Prohibits a bankruptcy trustee from avoiding a transfer that was a bona fide payment of a debt for child or spousal support or maintenance pursuant to a court order. Permits child support creditors to appear and intervene without charge, and without meeting any special local court requirement for attorney appearances, in any bankruptcy proceeding in any bankruptcy or district court upon filing a court form detailing the status of the child support debt. (Sec. 304) Sets forth civil penalties for the negligent or fraudulent preparation of bankruptcy petitions by bankruptcy petition preparers for compensation. (Sec. 306) Declares that a trustee's plan may not modify the claim of a person holding a primary or a junior security interest in real property or a manufactured home that is the debtor's principal residence, except a junior security interest claim where the interest was undersecured at the time it attached (to the extent that it remains undersecured). (Sec. 307) Sets forth additional conditions on the ability of a creditor to seek satisfaction of a debt from a codebtor or a debt stayed under Chapter 13. (Sec. 309) Authorizes a bankruptcy court to award professional fees according to prescribed guidelines for specified bankruptcy-related services. Title IV: Bankruptcy Review Commission - National Bankruptcy Review Commission Act - Establishes the National Bankruptcy Review Commission to investigate and report to the Congress, the Chief Justice, and the President on issues relating to business bankruptcies. (Sec. 410) Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Technical Corrections - Makes technical and conforming corrections to the Bankruptcy Code. Title VI: Effective Date; Application of Amendments - Sets forth the effective date of this Act. Makes it inapplicable to bankruptcy cases commenced before its enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1993
Senior Citizens Against Marketing Scams Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide for enhanced penalties for telemarketing fraud that targets or victimizes persons over age 55. Directs the court to order offenders to: (1) pay restitution to persons who sustained losses as a result of the fraudulent activity; and (2) forfeit to the United States property constituting or derived from proceeds obtained as a result of the offense. Requires the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and, if necessary, amend the sentencing guidelines to ensure that victim related adjustments for fraud offenses against persons over age 55 are adequate. Authorizes the Attorney General to make awards for furnishing information leading to the prosecution and conviction of telemarketing fraud offenders. Authorizes appropriations. Makes the mail fraud statute applicable to matter sent or delivered by any private or commercial interstate carrier. Sets forth provisions regarding fraud and related activity in connection with access devices. Directs the Attorney General to establish a national, toll-free telemarketing fraud hotline.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Taxpayer Advocate Title II: Modifications to Installment Agreement Provisions Title III: Interest Title IV: Joint Returns Title V: Collection Activities Title VI: Information Returns Title VII: Modifications to Penalty for Failure to Collect and Pay Over Tax Title VIII: Awarding of Costs and Certain Fees Title IX: Other Provisions Title X: Form Modifications; Studies Subtitle A: Form Modifications Subtitle B: Studies Taxpayer Bill of Rights 2 - Title I: Taxpayer Advocate - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish in the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) the Office of Taxpayer Advocate, headed by the Taxpayer Advocate, to: (1) assist taxpayers in resolving problems with the IRS; (2) identify areas in which taxpayers have problems in dealings with the IRS; (3) propose changes in the administrative practices of the IRS to mitigate such problems; and (4) identify potential legislative changes which may be appropriate to mitigate such problems. Requires the Commissioner of Internal Revenue to establish procedures requiring a formal response to all recommendations submitted to the Commissioner by the Taxpayer Advocate. Replaces the Office of the Ombudsman with the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate. Revises the terms of a Taxpayer Assistance Order to: (1) allow the Order to require the Secretary of the Treasury to act within a specified time period; and (2) require the Secretary to take certain actions (currently, only to cease or refrain from taking certain actions). Title II: Modifications to Installment Agreement Provisions - Grants certain taxpayers the right to an installment agreement for the payment of tax liability less than $10,000. Requires prior notification to taxpayers under an installment agreement to pay tax liability before altering, modifying, or terminating such an agreement. Provides for administrative review of denials of requests for, or termination of, installment agreements. Title III: Interest - Authorizes the abatement of interest in the case of an assessment due to the unreasonable error or delay of an IRS act. Extends from ten to 21 days the period for which interest will not be imposed after notice and demand for payment, if such payment is less than $100,000. Title IV: Joint Returns - Allows the disclosure of collection activities to an individual requesting such information in the case of a joint return where such individual is no longer married to or resides in the same household as the other joint filer. Removes limitations on filing a joint return after filing separate returns. Title V: Collection Activities - Authorizes the Secretary, in certain cases, to: (1) withdraw a notice of a lien; (2) return property that has been levied upon; and (3) offer compromises in civil or criminal cases. Requires the Secretary to provide a copy of such notice of withdrawal to the taxpayer and, at the request of the taxpayer, to make reasonable efforts to notify credit reporting agencies and financial institutions of such withdrawal notice. Requires prior notification to the taxpayer that the taxpayer is under examination and an explanation of the process, with exceptions. Increases the dollar limit on the recovery of civil damages for unauthorized collection actions. Revises provisions with respect to a designated summons concerning the standard of review and notice requirements for issuance. Title VI: Information Returns - Requires payee statements to provide the phone number of the person providing payment. Establishes civil damages for the fraudulent filing of information returns. Requires the Secretary, in any court proceeding where a taxpayer asserts a reasonable dispute with respect to income reported on an information return filed by a third party and the taxpayer has fully cooperated with the Secretary, to present reasonable and probative information concerning such deficiency in addition to such return. Title VII: Modifications to Penalty for Failure to Collect and Pay Over Tax - Establishes preliminary notice requirements for failure to pay tax. Declares that a person shall not be liable for any penalty for failure to collect and pay over tax if such person: (1) is not a significant owner or highly compensated employee of the trade or business; (2) notifies the Secretary within ten days after such failure; (3) such notification was before any notice by the Secretary with respect to such failure; and (4) such failure is not a part of a plan to defraud the Government. Directs the Secretary to: (1) disclose certain information where more than one person is liable for a penalty; and (2) ensure that IRS employees are aware of their responsibilities under the tax depository system, the circumstances under which they may be liable for penalties, and reporting responsibilities. Exempts unpaid, volunteer board members of tax-exempt organizations who do not have actual knowledge of the failure on which such penalties are imposed from collection penalties. Title VIII: Awarding of Costs and Certain Fees - Authorizes a taxpayer who substantially prevails on a claim to file a motion for an order requiring the disclosure of all information and copies of relevant records in the possession of the IRS regarding such taxpayer's case and the substantial justification for the position taken by the IRS. Increases the limit on attorney fees. Provides that any failure to agree to an extension of time for the assessment of any tax shall not be taken into account in determining whether a prevailing party has exhausted all administrative remedies. Title IX: Other Provisions - Revises provisions on the required content of tax due, deficiency, and other notices. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) treatment of substitute returns under section 6651 (relating to failure to file a tax return or to pay tax); (2) prospective application of Treasury Department regulations; and (3) required notice to the taxpayer of payments that the Secretary cannot associate with any outstanding tax liability of such taxpayer. Authorizes a taxpayer to bring a civil damage suit against the United States if any U.S. officer or employee intentionally compromises the determination or collection of any tax due from an attorney, certified public accountant (CPA), or enrolled agent representing a taxpayer in exchange for information conveyed by the taxpayer for purposes of obtaining advice concerning tax liability, except where conveyed for the purpose of perpetrating a fraud or crime. Title X: Form Modifications; Studies - Subtitle A: Form Modifications - Directs the Secretary to: (1) take steps to ensure that taxpayers are aware of provisions of the Internal Revenue Code permitting payment of tax in installments, extensions, and compromises of tax liability; (2) provide improved procedures for taxpayers to notify the Secretary of changes in names and addresses; and (3) include in the IRS publication entitled "Your Rights As a Taxpayer" a section on the rights and responsibilities of divorced individuals. Subtitle B: Studies - Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a one-year pilot program for appeals of enforcement actions to the Appeals Division of the IRS; (2) study ways to assist the elderly, physically impaired, foreign-language speaking, and other taxpayers with special needs to comply with the internal revenue laws; and (3) report to the tax-writing committees on the IRS's taxpayer-rights education program and on all cases involving complaints about misconduct of IRS employees. Requires the Comptroller General to conduct: (1) a study on IRS efforts to notify taxpayers of tax deficiencies; and (2) annual studies of the accuracy of 25 of the most commonly used IRS forms, notices, and publications.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1993
Federal Crop Insurance Fairness Act - Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act with respect to: (1) yield averages; (2) late planting coverage; (3) prevented planting coverage; and (4) de minimis yield penalties.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1993
Automobile Damage Consumer Protection Act of 1993 - Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to direct the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations requiring the transferor of a motor vehicle to disclose to the transferee any damage done to such vehicle in excess of $1,000. Declares that failure to make repairs shall not exempt a person from such damage disclosure requirements. Requires States to maintain records of all damage disclosure statements. Sets forth both criminal and civil penalties.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make the low-income housing credit permanent. Modifies provisions concerning unused housing credit carryovers by States to allow States to carry over more unused credits from year to year. Provides that a unit shall not fail to be treated as low-income because it is occupied by students or persons enrolled in job training programs under the Job Training Partnership Act. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to waive: (1) any recapture of credit (required to be included in tax) in the case of any de minimis error in complying with tests for qualified low-income housing projects; or (2) any annual recertification of tenant income if the entire building is occupied by low-income tenants. Determines the adjusted basis of any building (for purposes of the low-income housing credit) by taking into account the adjusted basis of the property used in community activity facilities if: (1) such facilities are designed to serve individuals meeting income requirements for the housing project; and (2) not more than 20 percent of the aggregate eligible basis of all buildings in the project is attributable to the aggregate basis of such facilities. Applies at-risk rules to low-income housing credit property that also qualifies for the historic site rehabilitation credit and to qualified lenders. Adds conditions prohibiting discrimination against Section 8 tenants for purposes of meeting extended low-income housing commitments required to receive credits.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1993
Vietnam Women's Memorial Coin Act of 1994 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue silver coins emblematic of the Vietnam Women's Memorial sculpture. Requires all surcharges received from the sale of such coins to be used for: (1) an endowment for the Memorial; (2) education and research concerning veterans and their families; and (3) the identification and documentation of women who served in the armed forces during the Vietnam era. Expresses the sense of the Congress that this coin program shall be self-sustaining and administered to result in no net cost to the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1993
Payments In Lieu of Taxes Act - Increases Federal payments to local governments for entitlement lands and adjusts such payments for inflation. Exempts any lands conveyed to the United States in exchange for Federal lands.
![Official portrait of Sen. Pressler, Larry [R-SD]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/p000513_200.jpg)