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Official portrait of Sen. Pryor, David H. [D-AR]

Sen. Pryor, David H. [D-AR]

United States · Official source

Records

2,444 records where Sen. Pryor, David H. [D-AR] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years

Bill· SS. 2136 (104th)referred

Jackie Robinson Commemorative Coin Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1996

Jackie Robinson Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) mint and issue one-dollar silver coins emblematic of Jackie Robinson in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the breaking of the color barrier in major league baseball; and (2) distribute surcharge proceeds to the Jackie Robinson Foundation to enhance its education and youth leadership programs, and increase the availability of scholarships for economically disadvantaged youths. Prescribes conditions for payment of such surcharges, including a proscription against Foundation compensation to any agent or attorney for services rendered to support or influence legislative action of the Congress relating to the coins minted and issued under this Act.

Bill· SS. 2095 (104th)open

Government Corporation and Government Sponsored Enterprise Standards Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1996

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Classifications of Government Corporations and GSES Title II: General Provisions Title III: Wholly Owned Government Corporations Title IV: Transitional Government Corporations Title V: Government Sponsored Enterprises Title VI: Government Corporation Control Act Title VII: Separability Government Corporation and Government Sponsored Enterprise Standards Act - Title I: Classifications of Government Corporations and GSES - Directs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to maintain a list of all Government corporations and Government sponsored enterprises and publish such list as a part of the annual budget of the U.S. Government. Title II: General Provisions - Reserves to the Congress the right to alter, amend or repeal any law establishing or governing the activities of a Government corporation or Government sponsored enterprise (GSE). (Sec. 202) Authorizes each newly established Government corporation or newly established GSE to establish, acquire or control the activities of a subsidiary or other affiliate only by or under a U.S. law expressly authorizing the action. Title III: Wholly Owned Government Corporations - Subjects each newly established wholly owned Government corporation to the Government Corporation Control Act. (Sec. 303) Provides that each newly established wholly owned Government corporation shall terminate ten years after establishment, but may be extended for additional ten-year periods by the Congress. (Sec. 304) Provides for: (1) the general powers of each newly established wholly owned Government corporation; (2) officers and employees; (3) obligations issued or guaranteed; (4) retirement and disability contributions and contributions to the Employees' Compensation Fund; and (5) annual financial statements. (Sec. 309) Prohibits a newly established wholly owned Government corporation from engaging in new business activities before they are included in the annual budget program approved by the Congress. (Sec. 310) Authorizes appropriations to each newly established wholly owned Government corporation for each year in sums equal to certain revenues foregone by the corporation for national policy reasons to provide goods or services at prices or rates below a reasonable estimate of the cost of production. (Sec. 311) Exempts funds, accounts, receipts and outlays of newly established wholly owned Government corporations from general budget limitations upon expenditures and net lending (budget outlays), sequestration orders, or discretionary spending limits. (Sec. 312) Exempts, subject to exceptions, newly established wholly owned Government corporations, including their franchises, property and income, from all State, county, municipality or local taxation. Requires that each such corporation make payments to State and local governments in lieu of property taxes. Title IV: Transitional Government Corporations - Provides for each newly established transitional Government corporation to have succession for a period of five years. (Sec. 403) Directs each newly established transitional Government corporation, no later than four years after enactment of its establishing or extending statute to submit to the President and the Congress a specified strategic privatization plan. Directs the U.S. Comptroller General to report to the Congress on the extent to which: (1) the privatization plan would result in any ongoing obligation or undue cost to the Government; and (2) the revenues gained by the Government under the plan would represent at least the net present value of the corporation. Title V: Government Sponsored Enterprises - Provides for each newly established government sponsored enterprise (GSE) to have succession for a period of ten years, subject to review by the Congress and extension for additional ten-year periods. (Sec. 503) Requires the statute establishing any GSE to address specified financial safety and soundness issues, including requirements for Federal supervision. Requires the Secretary to contract with two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations to: (1) assess a new GSE's ability to meet its obligations; and (2) review the new GSE's rating at least annually. Requires each new GSE to maintain throughout its existence one of the two highest of such ratings. (Sec. 504) Requires that the Federal agency responsible for supervision of the newly established GSE or the Secretary, within one year after the establishment or extension of a GSE, to submit to the President and the Congress a strategic plan (revised and updated triennially) for the removal of Government sponsorship from the GSE. Permits a GSE that holds different views from those of the Federal agency or Secretary to prepare and submit its own strategic plan. Requires the Federal agency or the Secretary to report at least annually on any unauthorized transactions or undertakings. (Sec. 505) Mandates that an annual report be submitted by the Secretary to the Congress assessing the financial safety and soundness of the activities of all newly established GSEs and the impact of their operations on Federal borrowing. (Sec. 506) Requires each newly established GSE to have an annual audit of its financial statements by an independent accountant. Subjects each GSE to an audit by the Comptroller General. (Sec. 507) Sets forth requirements regarding: (1) shareholder rights; (2) equity securities; and (3) Federal investments. (Sec. 511) Subjects each newly established GSE to Federal, State, and local taxation to the same extent as other business organizations are taxed. (Sec. 512) Requires each newly established GSE to report annually to the Congress. Title VI: Government Corporation Control Act - Amends the Government Corporation Control Act to: (1) redefine the term "Government corporation" to mean a wholly owned Government corporation and a Government sponsored enterprise; (2) strike the current definition of the term "mixed-ownership Government corporation" and define the term "Government sponsored enterprise" to mean the Federal Home Loan Banks, the Farm Credit Banks, the Banks for Cooperatives of the Farm Credit System, and such other Government sponsored enterprises as the Secretary of the Treasury may designate; (3) revise audit provisions, including requiring the Comptroller General to conduct annual audits of wholly owned Government corporations; (4) exempt former mixed-ownership wholly owned government corporations from specified Federal budget and audit requirements under the Act; (5) exempt GSE's from specified requirements of the Secretary to keep accounts; and (6) delete references to "mixed-ownership Government corporation" and insert "Government sponsored enterprise." Title VII: Separability - Sets forth separability provisions.

Bill· SS. 2064 (104th)referred

Breast Cancer Research Extension Act of 1996

United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1996

Breast Cancer Research Extension Act of 1996 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to extend the authorization of appropriations for breast cancer research.

Bill· SS. 1951 (104th)referred

Customs Enforcement and Market Access Act of 1996

United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1996

Customs Enforcement and Market Access Act of 1996 - Directs the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), whenever the United States negotiates a protocol for accession of a country to the World Trade Organization (WTO), to negotiate for inclusion in that protocol: (1) provisions for effective market access to that country's domestic markets for U.S. textile and apparel products; and (2) provisions allowing the suspension or revocation of paragraph 14 (relating to increasing import levels based on growth rates) of the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing, if the country has failed to enforce such market access provisions. Requires negotiation of bilateral agreements containing similar provisions with countries that are not WTO members. (Sec. 3) Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to direct the USTR to identify annually, report to the Congress, and publish in the Federal Register the names of priority foreign countries that deny fair and equitable market access to U.S. persons producing or selling textile or apparel products. (Sec. 4) Establishes in the Treasury a Textile Global Competitiveness Research Fund, consisting in part of fines levied under this Act, and whose amounts shall be available: (1) for programs aimed at enhancing the international competitiveness of the United States textile and apparel manufacturers; and (2) to the Customs Service for the enforcement of laws governing trade in textile and apparel goods. (Sec. 5) Directs the USTR to take necessary steps to negotiate a quota agreement with any non-WTO country whose exports to the United States exceed $100 million annually, or are creating serious damage or the actual threat of it to the U.S. textile and apparel industry. Specifies: (1) a quota formula for new textile agreements with non-WTO countries which already have a textile agreement with the United States; and (2) provisions for inclusion in the accession protocol of countries acceding to the WTO. (Sec. 6) Requires the USTR to ensure that any protocol under negotiation for accession to the WTO of a non-WTO country with a textile import bilateral agreement with the United States, as well as any subsequent agreement, provides for a reduction in the quantity of that country's textile and apparel goods that may be imported into the United States if the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) determines that the bilateral agreement is being circumvented and that inadequate or no measures are being taken by that country to take action against such circumvention. (Sec. 7) Prescribes specified Customs Service enforcement actions and penalties (including fines, seizure, and forfeiture) for violations of customs laws involving textile and apparel goods. (Sec. 10) Directs the Commissioner of Customs to establish a Division on Textile Enforcement. (Sec. 11) Requires withdrawal of preferential tariff or quota treatment (unilateral trade concessions) from the textile and apparel goods of any country: (1) demonstrating a consistent pattern of circumventing textile agreements with United States; (2) refusing to cooperate in investigations; (3) failing to provide adequate enforcement of intellectual property rights with respect to textile and apparel goods; or (4) failing to provide fair and equitable market access for U.S. textile and apparel goods.

Bill· SS. 1912 (104th)referred

A bill to clarify the provision of section 3626(b) of title 39, United States Code, defining an "institution of higher education".

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1996

Redefines "institution of higher education" for purposes of provisions regarding second class postal rates to include a nonprofit organization that coordinates a network of college-level courses that is sponsored primarily by nonprofit educational institutions for an older adult constituency.

Bill· SS. 1890 (104th)open

Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996

United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1996

Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996 - Makes Federal criminal code prohibitions against, and penalties for, damaging religious property or obstructing any person's free exercise of religious beliefs applicable where: (1) the property is damaged because of its racial or ethnic character; and (2) the offense is in, or affects, interstate commerce. (Currently such provisions apply only where: (1) the property is damaged because of its religious character; (2) the defendant, in committing the offense, travels in interstate or foreign commerce or uses a facility or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce in interstate or foreign commerce; and (3) the loss exceeds $10,000.) Prohibits intentionally defacing, damaging, or destroying religious real property (or attempting to do so) because of the race, color, religious, or ethnic characteristics of any individual associated with such property. Increases penalties for violations of such provisions where bodily injury results or where such acts include the use, or attempted or threatened use, of a dangerous weapon, explosives, or fire. Includes within the definition of "religious property" fixtures or religious objects contained within a place of religious worship. Sets a seven-year statute of limitation for the prosecution, trial, or punishment of a person for any noncapital offense under such provisions. Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to use up to $5 million of the credit subsidy provided under the General and Special Risk Insurance Fund for guaranteed loans to financial institutions in connection with loans made to assist certain tax exempt religious or other organizations that have been damaged by arson or terrorism. Authorizes appropriations to the Departments of the Treasury and Justice, including the Community Relations Service, to increase personnel to investigate, prevent, and respond to potential violations of this Act and Federal explosives prohibitions. Reauthorizes the Hate Crimes Statistics Act. Commends those individuals and entities that have responded with funds to assist in the rebuilding of places of worship that have been victimized by arson. Encourages the private sector to continue such efforts.

Bill· SS. 1858 (104th)referred

Medicare Antifraud Act of 1996

United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1996

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Fraud and Abuse Control Program Title II: Revisions to Current Sanctions for Fraud and Abuse Title III: Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions Title IV: Civil Monetary Penalties Title V: Amendments to Criminal Law Title VI: State Health Care Fraud Control Units Title VII: Medicare-Medicaid Billing Abuse Prevention Medicare Antifraud Act of 1996 - Title I: Fraud and Abuse Control Program - Amends title XI of the Social Security Act (SSA) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Attorney General to establish: (1) an all-payer fraud and abuse control program that provides, among other things, for the reporting and disclosure of certain final adverse actions against health care providers, suppliers, or practitioners pursuant to the data collection system established by this Act; and (2) guidelines, including information guidelines, to carry out such program. (Sec. 101) Amends SSA title XVIII (Medicare) to establish in the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Account, which shall consist in part of criminal fines recovered in cases involving a Federal health care offense, in order to fund both the all-payer fraud and abuse control program and the Medicare Benefit Integrity System. Makes appropriations for such Account. (Sec. 102) Establishes under Medicare part C (Miscellaneous Provisions) a new Medicare Benefit Integrity System in order to: (1) improve the effectiveness of Medicare benefit quality assurance activities; and (2) enhance the HHS Secretary's capability to carry out Medicare program safeguard functions and related education activities to avoid the improper expenditure of assets in the Medicare trust funds. (Sec. 103) Applies specified Medicare and State health care anti-fraud and abuse provisions of part A (General Provisions) of SSA title XI to all Federal health programs. (Sec. 104) Directs the HHS Secretary annually to solicit proposals for modifications to existing safe harbors and for additional safe harbors, according to certain criteria, for payment practices. Permits any person, at any time, to request a notice from the HHS Inspector General (IG) which informs the public of practices which the IG considers to be suspect or of particular concern (special fraud alerts), as well as interpretive rulings with regard to the application of certain anti-fraud and abuse provisions under SSA title XI. (Sec. 105) Directs the HHS Secretary to establish the Medicare-Medicaid Beneficiary Protection Program, among other things, for educating Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries regarding Medicare and Medicaid program coverage and how to protect themselves against certain fraudulent and abusive practices with respect to the delivery of health care items and services. (Sec. 106) Sets forth measures for the HHS Secretary and the Attorney General to ensure the integrity of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund. Title II: Revisions to Current Sanctions for Fraud and Abuse - Amends SSA titles XI and XVIII (Medicare) to provide for: (1) the mandatory exclusion from participation in Medicare and State health care programs of individuals with a health care felony fraud or a controlled substance conviction; (2) a minimum period of permissive exclusion for certain individuals and entities subject to such an exclusion from Medicare and State health care programs; (3) the permissive exclusion of individuals with ownership or control interest in sanctioned entities; (4) a minimum period of exclusion for practitioners and individuals failing to meet certain statutory obligations; and (5) intermediate sanctions for Medicare health maintenance organizations. (Sec. 206) Exempts certain program exclusions from an automatic stay imposed under the Federal bankruptcy code. (Sec. 208) Requires reimbursement of the Secretary by Medicare carriers, fiscal intermediaries, and States for their payment of claims by excluded providers after due notice of their exclusion. Title III: Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions - Directs the HHS Secretary to: (1) provide for the establishment of a national health care fraud and abuse data collection program for the reporting of final adverse actions against health care providers, suppliers, or practitioners; and (2) maintain a database of the information collected for it. (Sec. 302) Amends the Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986 to: (1) grant the HHS and other specified Federal IGs access to the National Practitioner Data Bank; and (2) permit the HHS Secretary to recover the full costs of providing Data Bank information, and to disallow the imposition of any information fees for requests by the HHS IG. (Sec. 303) Requires the HHS Secretary to establish a corporate whistleblower program whereby corporate and other legal entities may voluntarily disclose instances of unlawful conduct and seek to resolve liability for such conduct through means specified by the Secretary. Prohibits individual civil actions against proposed defendants which have made voluntary disclosures to the United States and have been accepted into such program. (Sec. 304) Bases home health billing, payment, and cost limit calculation on the geographical location where the service is furnished. (Sec. 305) Modifies the special payment rules under Medicare for durable medical equipment with regard to adjustment for inherent reasonableness. (Sec. 306) Revises Medicare secondary payor provisions with regard to time and filing limitations for a claim, liability of third party administrators, and payment amounts to Medicare. (Sec. 309) Revises the meaning of carriers with respect to contracts for Medicare claims processing to include agencies and organizations. Title IV: Civil Monetary Penalties - Revises requirements for civil money penalties under part A of SSA title XI, among other things, to provide for: (1) payment into the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Account of a portion of civil money penalty amounts recovered; and (2) an increase in the civil monetary penalty. Subjects to such a penalty an excluded individual retaining an ownership or controlling interest in a Medicare or State health care program. Permits the HHS Secretary to impose a penalty on any individual (including any organization, but not a beneficiary) who knowingly receives any kickback or bribe in return for making a referral or purchasing equipment in a Medicare or State health care program. Title V: Amendments to Criminal Law - Amends the Federal criminal code with respect to: (1) mail fraud to establish penalties for health care fraud; (2) forfeiture of property in certain Federal health care offenses; (3) injunctive relief to prevent such offenses; (4) penalties for false statements, theft, and embezzlement relating to health care matters; (5) penalties for obstruction of criminal investigations of Federal health care offenses, theft, or embezzlement in connection with health care; and (6) laundering of monetary instruments in connection with a Federal health care offense. (Sec. 509) Specifies authorized investigative demand procedures. Title VI: State Health Care Fraud Control Units - Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to provide for extension of concurrent authority to investigate and prosecute: (1) fraud in other Federal programs; and (2) patient abuse in non-Medicaid board and care facilities. Title VII: Medicare-Medicaid Billing Abuse Prevention - Directs the HHS Secretary to: (1) establish certain procedures and a uniform application form for individuals or entities seeking to participate in Medicare or Medicaid; (2) establish standards for claim forms and submission; (3) develop specific standards governing claims submission via electronic media in order to control fraud and abuse; and (4) establish a system for issuance of a unique identifier code for each service provider, including code fees. (Sec. 705) Makes certain Medicare debts nondischargeable under the Federal bankruptcy code.

Bill· SS. 1844 (104th)open

National Recreation Lakes Study Act of 1996

United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1996

National Recreation Lakes Study Act of 1996 - Amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 to require the President to appoint an advisory commission to review and report to the President and specified congressional committees on the extent of water related recreation at Federal man-made lakes and reservoirs and alternatives to enhance the opportunities for such use by the public.

Bill· SS. 1833 (104th)referred

Federal Employment Reduction Assistance Act of 1996

United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1996

Federal Employment Reduction Assistance Act of 1996 - Authorizes the head of an agency to submit a plan to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to pay voluntary separation incentives to employees of the agency who agree to separate from the agency by retirement or resignation. (Sec. 4) Provides that a voluntary separation incentive payment be paid in a lump sum after the employee's separation and be equal to the lesser of: (1) the amount the employee would have been entitled to receive (without adjustment for any previous payment); or (2) if the employee separates during a certain fiscal year, according to a specified payment amount for such fiscal year, from FY 1996 through FY 2000. (Sec. 5) Prescribes that an individual who has received a voluntary separation incentive payment and accepts any subsequent employment with the Government within five years after the date of separation shall be required to repay, prior to the first day of employment, the entire amount of the incentive payment to the agency that paid the incentive payment. Provides for waiver of repayment if the individual involved possesses unique abilities and is the only qualified applicant for the position. (Sec. 6) Requires that an agency make a contribution to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund in an amount equal to 15 percent of the final basic pay of each agency employee to whom a voluntary separation incentive has been paid. (Sec. 7) Mandates the reduction of total full-time equivalent employment in each agency by one for each employee receiving a voluntary separation payment. Requires that the President take appropriate action to ensure that functions involving more than ten full-time equivalent employees are not converted to contracts except in cases in which a cost comparison demonstrates that such contracts would be to the advantage of the Government. Provides for the preceding two clauses to be waived upon a determination by the President that the existence of a state of war or other national emergency, or the existence of an extraordinary emergency so requires. (Sec. 8) Mandates certain reports. Makes technical amendments to the Federal Workforce Restructuring Act of 1994. (Sec. 9) Modifies requirements regarding the order of retention in a voluntary participation in a reduction in force. (Sec. 10) Provides for continued health insurance coverage for separated employees.

Bill· SS. 1716 (104th)referred

Adolescent Family Life and Abstinence Education Act of 1996

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1996

Adolescent Family Life and Abstinence Education Act of 1996 - Amends Public Health Service Act provisions relating to adolescent family life demonstration projects to include the provision of abstinence information in the definition of "necessary services." Mandates, in approving demonstration project grants, adequate representation of both urban and rural areas. Requires a simplified and expedited application process for applicants seeking less than $15,000. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the demonstration project provisions.

Bill· SS. 1688 (104th)referred

Rural Law Enforcement Act of 1996

United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1996

Rural Law Enforcement Act of 1996 - Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to establish the National Center for Rural Law Enforcement at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Establishes an advisory board and requires the Attorney General to appoint an Executive Director of the Center to prepare and submit a periodic report to the advisory board and the University. Sets forth the Director's functions, including providing for: (1) the support of rural law enforcement agencies with technical assistance and practical and focused research; (2) education and training for rural law enforcement managers and personnel; (3) grants and contracts to carry out this Act; (4) the establishment and continuation of a clearinghouse and information center on criminal justice and rural law enforcement; (5) consulting assistance and service to Federal, State, and local criminal justice agencies with respect to crime in rural areas; and (6) evaluation programs that study the effectiveness of new approaches employed to improve rural law enforcement systems. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act as a separate line item in the Department of Justice Appropriations Act.

Resolution· SRESS.Res. 249 (104th)passed

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate on the anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing.

United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1996

Provides for observation of a moment of silence at 9:02 a.m. central daylight time on April 19, 1996, in remembrance of the victims of the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Commends the people of Oklahoma and the aid provided by rescuers, Federal agencies, countless volunteers, and Federal employees. Reaffirms trust in our system of justice to ensure that the perpetrators are convicted and punished.

Resolution· SRESS.Res. 241 (104th)passed

A resolution in tribute to Secretary of Commerce Ronald H. Brown and other Americans who lost their lives on April 3, 1996, while in service to their country on a mission to Bosnia.

United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1996

Pays tribute to the remarkable life and career of Ronald H. Brown (the late Secretary of Commerce) and to the contributions of all those who perished in the airplane accident on April 3, 1996, while in service to their country on a mission to Bosnia. Extends condolences to the victims' families.

Bill· SS. 1646 (104th)open

Propane Education and Research Act of 1996

United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1996

Propane Education and Research Act of 1996 - Authorizes the qualified industry organizations (the National Propane Gas Association, the Gas Processors Association, or successor organizations, or a group of retail marketers or producers who collectively represent at least 25 percent of the volume of propane sold or produced in the United States) to conduct, at their own expense, a referendum among producers and retail marketers for the creation of a Propane Education and Research Council. Directs the Council, if established, to develop programs (including programs to enhance consumer and employee safety and training) and enter into contracts for: (1) propane research and development; (2) consumer education; and (3) payment for program costs with funds collected under this Act. Requires the Council to reimburse the Secretary of Energy annually for any costs incurred by the United States. Authorizes the Council to levy annual assessments on odorized propane, according to prescribed guidelines, to cover program costs. Directs the Council to establish a program to coordinate its operations with any State propane education and research council. Prohibits Council funds from being used for lobbying activities. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to prepare and make available to the Council, the Secretary of Energy (Secretary), and the public, annual analyses of changes in propane prices relative to other energy resources. Requires the Council to restrict its activities to research and development, training, and safety whenever in any year the five-year average rolling price index of consumer grade propane exceeds by more than 10.1 percent the five-year rolling average price composite index of residential electricity, residential natural gas, and refiner price to end users of Number 2 fuel oil. Requires the price of propane to be determined by market forces in all cases. Prohibits the Council from taking action to pass the cost of the annual assessments to consumers. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to report biennially to the Congress and the Secretary on whether: (1) operation of the Council, in conjunction with the cumulative effects of market changes and Federal programs, has had an effect on propane consumers, including residential, agriculture, process, and nonfuel users; and (2) there have been long-term and short-term effects on propane prices as a result of Council activities and Federal programs.

Bill· SS. 1597 (104th)open

American Jobs Act of 1996

United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1996

American Jobs Act of 1996 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include imported property income of a controlled foreign corporation within the sums added together to compute foreign base company income. Defines imported income property to include, among other things, income from manufacturing, growing, selling, renting, or leasing imported property, but exempts any foreign oil and gas income or any foreign oil-related income. Provides for a separate application of limitations on the foreign tax credit for imported property income. Allows an employer a credit against tax, during the two-year period beginning with the day an employee starts work, equal to 20 percent of the qualified social security taxes paid or incurred by the employer for such new employee. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report to the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Finance recommendations on the elimination of, or changes in, business tax preferences.

Law· SS. 1579 (104th)enacted

Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996

United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1996

Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 - Prohibits the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, in prescribing risk-based program selection criteria for major programs, from requiring the identification of more programs as major for a particular non-Federal entity, subject to specified exceptions, than would be identified if the major programs were defined as any program for which total expenditures for Federal awards by the non-Federal entity exceed specified dollar amounts or percentages of the non-Federal entity's total Federal expenditures. Directs that, in any fiscal year, a non-Federal entity have either a single audit or a program-specific audit if such entity expends a total Federal award amount in excess of a specified amount. Sets forth audit requirements and exceptions. Requires the non-Federal entity to transmit a reporting package to a Federal clearinghouse and make it available for public inspection within a specified time frame.

Bill· SS. 1497 (104th)referred

Land Disposal Program Flexibility Act of 1995

United States · United States Congress · 21 December 1995

Land Disposal Program Flexibility Act of 1995 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act (SWDA) to exempt from land disposal restrictions (other than requirements pertaining to applicable specific methods of treatment promulgated by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency under SWDA) solid waste identified as hazardous based on characteristic alone if such waste: (1) is managed in a treatment system that subsequently discharges to waters of the United States pursuant to a permit issued under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act), undergoes pretreatment for purposes of compliance with toxic and pretreatment effluent standards of such Act, or is managed under a zero-discharge system that the Administrator determines to be engaging in Clean Water Act-equivalent treatment; (2) no longer exhibits such characteristic prior to land disposal; (3) has met any applicable specific method of treatment promulgated by the Administrator; and (4) would not generate toxic gases, vapors, or fumes due to the presence of cyanide at the point of generation when exposed to pH conditions of a specified range. Requires the Administrator to conduct a study of hazardous waste managed in accordance with this Act to characterize the risks to human health or the environment associated with such management, upon completion of which the Administrator may impose additional requirements or defer management of such risks to other State or Federal programs or authorities. Amends SWDA to exempt from land disposal restrictions solid waste identified as hazardous based on characteristic alone if the waste no longer exhibits a hazardous characteristic at the point of injection into any Class I deep well regulated under safe drinking water provisions of the Public Health Service Act.

Bill· SS. 1491 (104th)reported

Antimicrobial Pesticide Registration Reform Act of 1995

United States · United States Congress · 20 December 1995

Antimicrobial Pesticide Registration Reform Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to exclude: (1) bacteria from the definition of "fungus"; and (2) liquid chemical sterilant products for use on a critical or semi-critical medical or dental device from the definition of "pesticide." Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) coordinate data requirements, test protocols, timetables, and standards of review and reduce burdens and redundancy caused to the registrant, whenever data in support of a pesticide registration is requested by one or more State or Federal agencies; and (2) develop a process to identify and assist in alleviating future disparities between Federal and State data requirements. Provides, with respect to the labeling of an antimicrobial pesticide product, that: (1) a registrant may modify the labeling to include relevant information on the product's efficacy, composition, or container or other characteristics unrelated to a pesticidal claim or activity; (2) such labeling shall not be false or misleading or in conflict with statements required as a condition of registration and be substantiated upon request; (3) modifications shall be subject to a notification and approval process; and (4) different cautionary statements for use dilutions may be included in the labeling upon approval of the Administrator. Directs the Administrator, to the maximum extent practicable, to identify and evaluate changes to the process for registration of antimicrobial pesticides that will reduce current time periods for review. Details rulemaking requirements regarding the review of such pesticides. Requires an annual report to the Congress on measures taken to effect such changes. Exempts from applicability of certain FIFRA storage, disposal, transportation, and container requirements household, industrial, or institutional antimicrobial products that are not subject to regulation under the Solid Waste Disposal Act, unless the Administrator determines that their application is necessary to prevent an unreasonable adverse effect on the environment.

Bill· SS. 1447 (104th)referred

Older Americans Act Amendments of 1995

United States · United States Congress · 5 December 1995

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Performance Partnerships Title II: Other Amendments to the Older Americans Act of 1965 Title III: White House Conference on Aging Older Americans Act Amendments of 1995 - Title I: Performance Partnerships - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 (OAA) to direct the Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services for Aging (Assistant Secretary) to negotiate an agreement proposed by each State and included as part of its State plan under OAA's basic State grants program in order to receive its share of program funding that contains certain objectives selected by it for accomplishing the goals of such program and those of the vulnerable elder rights protection program as well. (Sec. 101) Authorizes the Assistant Secretary to make incentive awards to States which have performed effectively under a performance partnership agreement. (Sec. 103) Requires each State to establish an Advisory Council to: (1) review and comment on the State's proposed agreement; and (2) evaluate and report on the State's performance under the final agreement negotiated with the Assistant Secretary. (Sec. 104) Revises area and State plan provisions, among other changes, incorporating requirements for performance partnerships. Title II: Other Amendments to the Older Americans Act of 1965 - Reauthorizes, revises, and extends OAA, making various specified changes, technical and otherwise, among other areas with regard to: (1) the National Eldercare Locator Service; (2) the basic State grant program (including providing for the coordination of services for individuals with disabilities under area plans, the transfer of funds between different grant programs, and the availability of disaster relief funds for tribal organizations); (3) the basic authority for research, development, and demonstrations (adding a new overall statement of purpose for such authority, as well as new components for certain centers to improve the quality of services for older individuals and for information dissemination and related activities); (4) the community service employment program (transferring jurisdiction of such program from the Department of Labor to the Department of Health and Human Services); and (5) the vulnerable elder rights protection program. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: White House Conference on Aging - Directs the President to convene, by a certain deadline, the White House Conference on Aging for developing recommendations for additional research and action on aging. (Sec. 303) Establishes a policy committee and other related committees to assist with the matters above. (Sec. 306) Authorizes appropriations.

Bill· SS. 1400 (104th)reported

ERISA Clarification Act of 1995

United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1995

ERISA Clarification Act of 1995 - Directs the Secretary of Labor to issue guidance on the application of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to insurance company general accounts. Requires such guidance to: (1) be for purposes of determining, in cases where an insurer issues one or more policies to or for the benefit of an employee benefit plan, which assets of the insurer (other than plan assets held in its separate accounts) constitute assets of the plan for purposes of specified provisions of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code; and (2) provide that assets not treated as plan assets under certain provisions not be treated as plan assets under other provisions. Authorizes the Secretary to exclude any assets of the insurer with respect to its operations, products, or services from treatment as plan assets.

Resolution· SCONRESS.Con.Res. 31 (104th)passed

A concurrent resolution honoring the life and legacy of Yitzhak Rabin.

United States · United States Congress · 6 November 1995

Condemns the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Extends condolences to his family and to all the people of Israel. Expresses admiration for his historic contributions and support for the government of Acting Prime Minister Shimon Peres. Reaffirms a commitment to the process of building a just and lasting peace between Israel and its neighbors. Provides for the adjournment of the Senate as a further mark of respect for Rabin.

Bill· SS. 1392 (104th)referred

Emergency Lumber Act of 1995

United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1995

Emergency Lumber Act of 1995 - Imposes a 25 percent ad valorem duty on imported Canadian wood and lumber products. Requires the administering authority to initiate a countervailing duty investigation with respect to such products. Declares that the President is authorized to negotiate with free trade area countries for the purpose of entering into an agreement to modify certain terms of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the United States-Canada Free-Trade Agreement to provide that: (1) the exclusive review by binational panels shall not apply to antidumping and countervailing duty determinations involving their merchandise; and (2) such determinations shall be subject to judicial review in the same manner as determinations made with respect to non-free trade area countries. Declares further that: (1) such negotiations shall not affect the rights of the United States or a free trade area country to apply its domestic antidumping and countervailing duty laws to the imports of another country; and (2) if an agreement has been entered into pursuant to such negotiations, the President shall submit implementing legislation to the Congress. Extends "fast track" procedures to such legislation. Applies the requirements of this Act to goods from Canada or Mexico.

Bill· SS. 1355 (104th)open

American Jobs and Manufacturing Preservation Act of 1995

United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1995

American Jobs and Manufacturing Preservation Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include imported property income of a controlled foreign corporation or related person as foreign base company income. Defines imported property income as income from: (1) manufacturing, producing, growing, or extracting imported property; (2) the sale, exchange, or other disposition of imported property; or (3) the lease, rental, or licensing of imported property. Requires the separate application of the limitation on the foreign tax credit on imported property income. Applies the look-thru rules in the case of controlled foreign corporations to such income.

Bill· SS. 1344 (104th)referred

A bill to repeal the requirement relating to specific statutory authorization for increases in judicial salaries, to provide for automatic annual increases for judicial salaries, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1995

Repeals a Federal provision limiting salary increases for Federal judges or Supreme Court Justices to those specifically authorized by Act of Congress. Amends the Federal judicial code to make the cost of living adjustments in judicial salaries effective in the first pay period beginning on or after January 1 each year (currently, such adjustments are triggered by General Schedule adjustments).

Law· SS. 1316 (104th)enacted

Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996

United States · United States Congress · 12 October 1995

Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1995 - Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make capitalization grants to States to establish State drinking water treatment revolving loan funds. Authorizes State Governors to transfer amounts between such funds and water pollution control revolving funds established under the Clean Water Act. Requires the Administrator to reserve one and one-half percent of drinking water funds for capitalization grants to Indian tribes for the improvement of public water systems. Authorizes the Administrator to make such grants to the District of Columbia and specified U.S. territories. Authorizes: (1) States to reserve a certain amount of such grants for technical assistance for small public water systems; and (2) the Administrator to make grants to Alaska for the benefit of Alaska Native villages. Requires the Administrator, beginning in FY 1999, to withhold a specified percentage (five percent for FY 1999, ten percent for FY 2000, and 15 percent for each subsequent fiscal year) of each capitalization grant made to a State unless the State has met specified requirements under this Act regarding new system capacity. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) projects eligible for assistance, including assistance for disadvantaged communities, and source water quality protection and capacity development; and (2) State loan fund administration, technical assistance, and management. Requires: (1) States to prepare annual intended use plans for funds; (2) priority for the use of funds to be given to projects that address the most serious risk to human health, that are necessary to ensure compliance with specified requirements (including filtration requirements), and that assist most in need on a per household basis according to State affordability criteria; and (3) each State, after notice and opportunity for public comment, to publish and periodically update a list of projects in the State that are eligible for assistance, including the priority assigned to each project and the expected funding schedule for each project. Directs the Administrator to: (1) conduct annual reviews and audits as the Administrator considers appropriate, or require each State to have the reviews and audits independently conducted, in accordance with specified single audit requirements; (2) submit to the Congress a periodic survey and assessment of the needs for facilities in each State eligible for assistance; (3) conduct an evaluation of the effectiveness of the State loan funds through FY 1999; and (4) publish such regulations and guidance as necessary. Specifies that the failure or inability of any public water system to receive funds, or a delay in obtaining the funds, shall not alter the obligation of the system to comply in a timely manner with all applicable drinking water standards and requirements under the Act. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Administrator to reserve: (1) $10 million for health effects research on specified drinking water contaminants, giving priority to research concerning the health effects of cryptosporidium, disinfection byproducts, and arsenic and for the implementation of a research plan for subpopulations at greater risk of adverse effects; (2) $2 million to pay the costs of monitoring for unregulated contaminants; and (3) specified sums for small system technical assistance. (Sec. 4) Requires the Administrator to publish a maximum contaminant level goal (MCLG) and promulgate a national primary drinking water (NPDW) regulation for each contaminant (with exceptions) for which a NPDW regulation has been promulgated as of the date of this Act's enactment if the Administrator determines, based on adequate data and appropriate peer-reviewed scientific information and an assessment of health risks, that the contaminant may have an adverse effect on the health of persons and the contaminant is known to occur, or there is a substantial likelihood that it will occur, in public water systems with a frequency and at levels of public health concern. Directs the Administrator: (1) not later than July 1, 1996, to publish and periodically update a list of contaminants that are known or anticipated to occur in drinking water provided by public water systems that may warrant regulation; and (2) at such time as such list is published, to describe available and needed information and research regarding the health effects of the contaminants, their occurrence in drinking water, and treatment techniques and other feasible means to control the contaminants. Requires (with exceptions) the Administrator, by July 1, 2001, and every five years thereafter, to take one of the following actions for not fewer than five contaminants: (1) publish a determination that information available to the Administrator does not warrant the issuance of an NPDW regulation; (2) publish a determination that an NPDW regulation is warranted and proceed to propose an MCLG and NPDW regulation not later than two years after the date of publication of the determination; and (3) propose an MCLG and NPDW regulation. Sets forth provisions regarding insufficient information to make, and the basis for, such determinations. Requires the Administrator to give priority to those contaminants not currently regulated that are associated with the most serious adverse health effects and that present the greatest potential risk to human health due to their presence in drinking water provided by public water systems. Sets forth provisions regarding public comment and judicial review. Authorizes the Administrator to promulgate an interim NPDW regulation for a contaminant to address an urgent threat to public health. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) schedules for publication of MCLGs and NPDW regulations; (2) substitution of contaminants; and (3) promulgation, by December 31, 1995, of an information collection rule to facilitate further revisions to the NPDW regulation for disinfectants and disinfectant byproducts, including information on microbial contaminants such as cryptosporidium. (Sec. 5) Requires the Administrator, in carrying out the Act, to: (1) use the best available, peer-reviewed science and supporting studies conducted in accordance with sound and objective scientific practices, and data collected by accepted or best available methods; and (2) ensure that the presentation of information on public health effects is comprehensive, informative, and understandable. Directs the Administrator to conduct a cost-benefit analysis for each NPDW regulation containing a maximum contaminant level (MCL) or treatment technique before it is proposed, including consideration of alternative MCLs or treatment requirements. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 6) Permits the MCLG for contaminants that are known or likely to cause cancer in humans to be set at a level other than zero if the Administrator determines, based on the best available, peer- reviewed science, that there is a threshold level below which there is unlikely to be any increase in cancer risk and the Administrator sets the MCLG at that level with an adequate margin of safety. Requires the Administrator, at the time he or she proposes an NPDW regulation, to publish a determination as to whether the benefits of the MCL justify, or do not justify, the costs. Authorizes the Administrator to establish an MCL for a contaminant at a level other than the feasible level if the technology, treatment techniques, and other means used to determine the feasible level would result in an increase in the health risk from drinking water by: (1) increasing the concentration of other contaminants in drinking water; or (2) interfering with the efficacy of drinking water treatment techniques or processes that are used to comply with other NPDW regulations. Authorizes the Administrator, if he or she determines that the benefits of an MCL would not justify the cost of complying with the level, to promulgate an MCL for the contaminant that maximizes health risk reduction benefits at a cost that is justified by the benefits, with an exception. Prohibits the Administrator from establishing an MCL in a Stage I or Stage II NPDW regulation for contaminants that are disinfectants or disinfection byproducts, or to establish an MCL or treatment technique requirement for the control of cryptosporidium. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) judicial review; (2) disinfectants and disinfectant byproducts; and (3) review of standards. (Sec. 7) Requires the Administrator to promulgate NPDW regulations for: (1) arsenic according to a specified schedule and develop and carry out a comprehensive plan for research in support of drinking water rulemaking and take other specified steps regarding assessment, proposed regulation, and final regulation for arsenic; (2) radon, providing for an MCL of 3,000 picocuries per liter; and (3) sulfates. (Sec. 10) Directs the Administrator to propose a regulation that describes treatment techniques that meet the requirements for filtration that are feasible for community water systems serving a population of 3,300 or fewer and noncommunity water systems. (Sec. 12) Directs the Administrator to issue guidance or regulations regarding system treatment technologies. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to institutions of higher learning to establish and operate not fewer than five small public water system technology assistance centers in the United States. (Sec. 13) Revises the variance provisions of the Act to: (1) allow public water systems to receive a variance on the condition that they install and operate best available treatment technology; and (2) authorize the Administrator (or a State with primary enforcement responsibility for public water systems) to grant to public water systems serving a population of 10,000 or fewer a variance for compliance with a requirement specifying an MCL or treatment technique contained in an NPDW regulation if a system cannot afford to comply with the regulation and adequate protection of public health is ensured. (Sec. 15) Requires each State to: (1) obtain the legal authority or other means to ensure that all new community water systems and new nontransient, noncommunity water systems commencing operation after October 1, 1996, demonstrate technical, managerial, and financial capacity with respect to each NPDW regulation in effect, or likely to be in effect, on the date of commencement of operations; (2) prepare, periodically update, and submit to the Administrator a list of community water systems and nontransient, noncommunity water systems that have a history of significant noncompliance and report to the Administrator; and (3) develop and implement a strategy to assist public water systems in acquiring and maintaining technical, managerial, and financial capacity. Directs the Administrator to support: (1) the States in developing capacity development strategies; and (2) the network of university-based Environmental Finance Centers in providing training and technical assistance to State and local officials in developing the capacity of public water systems, including the establishment of a national public water systems capacity development clearinghouse. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 16) Requires public water systems receiving assistance from a State Revolving Loan Fund to be operated by a trained and certified operator. Authorizes the Administrator to withhold funds that would otherwise be allocated to the State, or require the repayment of an amount equal to the amount of any such assistance, for noncompliance. (Sec. 17) Directs each State to: (1) delineate the source water protection areas for community water systems in the State using hydrogeologic information considered to be reasonably available and appropriate by the State; and (2) conduct vulnerability assessments in source water areas determined to be a priority by the State. Authorizes States to establish source water quality partnership petition programs to assist in the local development of a voluntary, incentive-based partnership to reduce the presence in drinking water of contaminants and to obtain Federal and State financial or technical assistance. (Sec. 18) Extends the date for submitting State regulations to retain primacy for new or revised drinking water standards. Grants States interim primary enforcement authority. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 19) Requires the Administrator to review existing monitoring requirements for not fewer than 12 contaminants within two years. Authorizes: (1) States to establish alternative monitoring programs, except for regulations applicable to a microbial contaminant or an indicator of such a contaminant, subject to specified requirements; and (2) the Administrator or a State to suspend quarterly monitoring requirements applicable to small systems for any contaminant (other than a microbial contaminant or such an indicator that causes an acute effect or a contaminant formed in the treatment process or distribution system) that is not detected during the first quarterly sample in a monitoring cycle. Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations establishing the criteria for a monitoring program for unregulated contaminants and to list up to 20 contaminants. Requires all systems serving more than 10,000 people to monitor for such contaminants. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Administrator to establish a national database containing information on the occurrence of regulated and unregulated contaminants. (Sec. 20) Requires each owner or operator of a public water system to give notice to those served by the system: (1) of any failure of the system to comply with an applicable maximum contaminant level or treatment technique requirement of, or a testing procedure prescribed by, an NPDW regulation or to perform required monitoring; (2) if the system is subject to a variance granted for an inability to meet a maximum contaminant level requirement or is subject to a granted exemption, of the existence of the variance or exemption and of any failure to comply with the requirements of any schedule prescribed pursuant to the variance or exemption; and (3) of the concentration level of any unregulated contaminant for which the Administrator has required public notice. Directs the Administrator to prescribe the manner, frequency, form, and content for giving notice. Specifies that such regulations shall provide for different frequencies of notice based on the differences between violations that are intermittent or infrequent and violations that are continuous or frequent and shall take into account the seriousness of any potential adverse health effects that may be involved. Permits a State to establish alternative notification requirements. Sets forth reporting requirements. (Sec. 21) Revises enforcement provisions of the Act to permit enforcement actions to be taken by both EPA and a State with primary enforcement responsibility. Directs the Administrator to notify local elected officials before taking enforcement actions against public water systems in nonprimacy States. Authorizes the Administrator or a State to suspend enforcement action with respect to a violation for a two-year period if the violation is to be corrected through a consolidation or restructuring during that period. Requires States to adopt administrative penalties of at least $1,000 per violation for large systems. Increases the maximum amount for an administrative penalty imposed by EPA from $5,000 to $25,000 per violation, but only after a hearing on the record. (Sec. 22) Waives the sovereign immunity of Federal agencies, subject to specified limitations. Allows citizens and States to seek penalties for all violations of the Act at Federal facilities. (Sec. 23) Authorizes appropriations for research with respect to the safe supply of drinking water. Directs the Administrator to: (1) develop and periodically update an integrated risk characterization strategy for drinking water quality; and (2) develop and carry out a research plan to support the development and implementation of rules regarding enhanced surface water treatment, disinfectant and disinfection byproducts, and ground water disinfection. Sets forth reporting requirements. (Sec. 24) Revises the definition of "public water system" to include water for human consumption through pipes or other constructed conveyances. Excludes from regulation connections to non-piped systems where alternative water supplies or treatment to levels that are equivalent to NPDW regulations is provided before the water is used for drinking or cooking. (Sec. 25) Authorizes the Administrator to makes grants to States for the development and implementation of State programs for the protection of groundwater resources. Prohibits any such grant from being used for more than half of the cost of the program. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Administrator to study and report to the Congress on the extent and seriousness of contamination of private sources of drinking water that are not regulated under this Act. Authorizes the Administrator to reestablish a partnership between the Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Laboratory and the National Center for Ground Water Research, a university consortium, to conduct research, training, and technology transfer for groundwater quality protection and restoration. (Sec. 26) Prohibits the use (after June 19, 1986, in the installation or repair of any public water system or in any plumbing in a facility providing water for human consumption) or sale (effective two years after this Act's enactment) of any pipe, or plumbing fitting or fixture, that is not lead free, with exceptions. Directs the Administrator to: (1) provide accurate and timely technical information and assistance to qualified third-party certifiers in the development of voluntary standards and testing protocols for the leaching of lead from new plumbing fittings and fixtures that are intended by the manufacturer to dispense water for human ingestion; and (2) promulgate regulations setting a health effects-based performance standard establishing maximum leaching levels from new plumbing fittings and fixtures that are intended by the manufacturer to dispense water for human ingestion if a voluntary standard is not established within a year. Repeals Federal law encouraging the use of geothermal heat pumps that return water to the distribution lines of public water systems. (Sec. 27) Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue a regulation establishing a quality level for each contaminant in bottled water or make a finding that a regulation is unnecessary to protect the public health because the contaminant is contained in water in the public water systems and not in water used for bottled drinking water. (Sec. 28) Directs the Administrator to: (1) identify and rank sources of pollution with respect to the relative degree of risk of adverse effects on human health, the environment, and public welfare; (2) estimate the private and public costs associated with each source of pollution and the costs and benefits of complying with regulations designed to protect against risks associated with such sources and those associated with major Federal actions selected by the Administrator that have the most significant impact on human health or the environment; (3) identify reasonable opportunities to achieve significant risk reduction through modifications in environmental regulations and programs and other Federal actions with impacts on human health, the environment, or public welfare; (4) identify, explain, and determine research that would reduce uncertainties associated with the risks; and (5) consider and estimate the monetary and other values of the benefits associated with reducing risk to human health and the environment. Sets forth reporting requirements. Directs the Science Advisory Board to conduct a technical review of Administrator's report in public session before submission to the Congress. (Sec. 29) Authorizes the Chief of the Army Corps of Engineers to modernize the Washington Aqueduct. Authorizes appropriations. Modifies the membership of the National Drinking Water Advisory Council to include two members representing small, rural water systems.

Bill· SS. 1299 (104th)referred

Bringing Opportunity to Our Small Business and Taxpayers (BOOST) Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1995

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Taxpayer Bill of Rights 2 Subtitle A: Taxpayer Advocate Subtitle B: Modifications to Installment Agreement Provisions Subtitle C: Interest Subtitle D: Joint Returns Subtitle E: Collection Activities Subtitle F: Information Returns Subtitle G: Modifications to Penalty for Failure to Collect and Pay Over Tax Subtitle H: Awarding of Costs and Certain Fees Subtitle I: Other Provisions Subtitle J: Form Modifications; Studies Title II: Increase of Deduction for Health Insurance Costs of Self-Employed Individuals Title III: S Corporation Reform Act of 1995 Subtitle A: Eligible Shareholders of S Corporation Subtitle B: Qualification and Eligibility Requirements for S Corporations Subtitle C: Taxation of S Corporation Shareholders Subtitle D: Effective Date Title IV: Pension Simplification Subtitle A: Simplification of Nondiscrimination Provisions Subtitle B: Targeted Access to Pension Plans for Small Employers Title V: Estate Tax Exclusion for Family-Owned Business Title VI: Spending Reductions Bringing Opportunity to Our Small Business and Taxpayers (BOOST) Act - Title I: Taxpayer Bill of Rights 2 - Taxpayer Bill of Rights 2 - Subtitle A: 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. (Sec. 1011) 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. (Sec. 1012) 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). Subtitle B: Modifications to Installment Agreement Provisions - Grants certain taxpayers the right to an installment agreement for the payment of tax liability less than $10,000. (Sec. 1022) Suspends any penalties during the period the installment agreement is in effect. (Sec. 1023) Requires prior notification, with explanation, to taxpayers before termination of an installment agreement to pay a tax liability, or before denial of a taxpayer request for such an agreement. (Sec. 1024) Provides for administrative review of denials of requests for, or terminations of, installment agreements. Subtitle C: Interest - Limits to unreasonable error only the Secretary of the Treasury's authority to abate interest in the case of an assessment due on deficiencies attributable to errors of an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) officer or employee. Repeals the Secretary's authority to abate interest on deficiencies attributable to errors or delays in IRS performance of a ministerial act. Mandates abatement of interest in such circumstances for certain parties prevailing in tax actions against the United States, including a party with a net worth of less than $2 million. (Sec. 1032) 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. Subtitle D: Joint Returns - Allows an individual no longer married to or residing in the same household as another individual with whom the first has filed a joint tax return to request disclosure of any attempts to collect deficiencies from the other joint filer. (Sec. 1042) Repeals the requirement that a joint return filed by eligible individuals after the filing of separate returns be accompanied or preceded by full payment of the tax shown upon such joint return. Subtitle E: Collection Activities - Authorizes the Secretary, in certain circumstances, 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 taxpayer's request, to make reasonable efforts to notify credit reporting agencies and financial institutions of such withdrawal notice. (Sec. 1053) Requires prior notification, with certain exceptions, to the taxpayer that the taxpayer is under examination and an explanation of the process. (Sec. 1054) Increases from $100,000 to $1 million the dollar limit on the recovery of civil damages for unauthorized collection actions. (Sec. 1055) Revises standard of review and notice requirements for issuance with respect to a designated summons. Subtitle F: Information Returns - Requires payee statements to provide the phone number of the person providing such statements. (Sec. 1062) Establishes civil damages for the fraudulent filing of information returns. (Sec. 1063) Places the burden of proof about such income upon 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, unless the Secretary has conducted a reasonable investigation to corroborate the information return's accuracy. Subtitle G: Modifications to Penalty for Failure to Collect and Pay Over Tax - Establishes preliminary notice requirements with respect to penalties for failure to collect and pay over tax, or attempt to evade or defeat tax. (Sec. 1072) Directs the Secretary to: (1) disclose certain information, upon request, to liable persons where more than one person is liable for such 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 such penalties, and their responsibility to report promptly any violations subject to such penalties. (Sec. 1073) Exempts from such penalties unpaid, volunteer board members of tax-exempt organizations whose role is honorary, who do not participate in the organization's daily operations, and who do not have actual knowledge of the failure on which such penalties are imposed. Subtitle H: 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. (Sec. 1082) Increases the limit on attorney's fees. (Sec. 1083) 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. Subtitle I: Other Provisions - Revises provisions on the required content of tax due, deficiency, and other notices. (Sec. 1092) Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) treatment of substitute returns prepared by the Secretary with respect to penalties for a taxpayer's failure to file a tax return or to pay tax; (2) prospective application only of Treasury Department regulations; and (3) a required notice to the taxpayer of payments that the Secretary cannot associate with any outstanding tax liability of the taxpayer. (Sec. 1095) 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 (unauthorized enticement of information disclosure), except where conveyed for the purpose of perpetrating a fraud or crime. Subtitle J: Form Modifications; Studies - Chapter 1: 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. Chapter 2: Studies - Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a one-year pilot program for appeals of certain 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 congressional tax-writing committees on the IRS's taxpayer-rights education program and on all cases involving complaints about misconduct of IRS employees. (Sec. 1115) 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. Title II: Increase of Deduction for Health Insurance Costs of Self-Employed Individuals - Revises the income tax deduction for the health insurance costs of self-employed individuals to: (1) make the deduction permanent; and (2) increase the applicable percentage of deduction from 25 percent to 100 percent by 1997. Title III: S Corporation Reform Act of 1995 - S Corporation Reform Act of 1995 - Subtitle A: Eligible Shareholders of S Corporation - Chapter 1: Number of Shareholders - Increases from 35 to 50 the maximum number of shareholders of an S corporation (electing small business corporation). Allows members of a family to be treated as one shareholder. Chapter 2: Persons Allowed as Shareholders - Allows the following entities to be shareholders of S corporations: (1) certain tax-exempt organizations, including qualified pension, profit-sharing, and stock bonus plans; (2) nonresident aliens; and (3) certain small business trusts. Chapter 3: Other Provisions - Extends from 60 days to two years the post-death qualification for certain trusts to be permitted as shareholders. Subtitle B: Qualification and Eligibility Requirements for S Corporations - Chapter 1: One Class of Stock - Allows an S corporation to issue qualified preferred stock. (Sec. 3202) Permits financial institutions to hold safe harbor debt. Chapter 2: Elections and Terminations - Revises the rules on inadvertent terminations by certain trusts of the election to be an S corporation. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to treat certain late elections as timely and to provide an automatic waiver procedure for certain inadvertent terminations. (Sec. 3213) Expands the post-termination transition period until 120 days after a determination is made that the election had terminated in a prior year. (Sec. 3214) Repeals the characterization of excessive passive investment income as a termination event. Increases the tax imposed on such excessive income. Chapter 3: Other Provisions - Permits an S corporation to wholly own the stock of a subsidiary. (Sec. 3222) Provides for the treatment of distributions during loss years. (Sec. 3223) Provides for a consent dividend for S corporation elections to by-pass amounts in the accumulated adjustments account when making distributions. (Sec. 3224) Eliminates the rule treating an S corporation as an individual in its capacity as shareholder of another corporation for purposes of subchapter C. (Sec. 3225) Reduces an S corporation accumulate earnings and profits by the amount of its pre-1983 earnings and profits, if it was an S corporation for any taxable year beginning before January 1, 1983, and is so characterized for its first taxable year after December 31, 1995. (Sec. 3226) Allows S corporations to make charitable contributions of inventory and scientific property. (Sec. 3227) Repeals the requirement that partnership rules apply for fringe benefit purposes (thus making C corporation rules applicable). Applies to two-percent shareholders of S corporations the rules regarding deduction of health insurance costs of self-employed individuals. Subtitle C: Taxation of S Corporation Shareholders - Applies the exemption from the excise tax on pension plan prohibited transactions to plans providing benefits for S corporation shareholder-employees (as defined before the effective date of the Subchapter S Revision Act of 1982). (Sec. 3302) Treats losses on liquidations of S corporations as ordinary to the extent the loss does not exceed the ordinary income basis of S corporation stock in the shareholder's hands. Subtitle D: Effective Date - Makes this Act effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1995. Title IV: Pension Simplification - Pension Simplification Act of 1995 - Subtitle A: Simplification of Nondiscrimination Provisions - Redefines the term "highly compensated employee" for pension, profit sharing, stock bonus plan, and related purposes. Makes such an employee one who is a five-percent owner, has compensation from the employer in excess of $80,000 (currently, $75,000, or in some instances $50,000), or was the most highly compensated officer of the employer. Provides a special rule where no employees meet those criteria. Defines "participant's compensation" and "compensation" for purposes of specified provisions. Subtitle B: Targeted Access to Pension Plans for Small Employers - Allows a current year business credit for small employer pension plan qualified start-up costs. (Sec. 4012) Modifies certain simplified employee pensions with respect to allowable participants and participation requirements. (Sec. 4013) Prohibits treating a plan as a top-heavy plan if the employer has no highly compensated employees by reason of specified provisions. (Sec. 4014) Prohibits any proposed regulation relating to qualified pension plans from taking effect unless it includes provisions to address the special needs of small employers. Title V: Estate Tax Exclusion for Family-Owned Business - American Family-Owned Business Act - Excludes from the gross estate specified portions of the adjusted value of the qualified family-owned business interests of the decedent. Title VI: Spending Reductions - Spending Reductions Act of 1995 - Limits spending in FY 1996 to: (1) $105 billion for service contracts; (2) $1 billion for federally funded research and development centers at the Department of Defense; and (3) $3.5 billion for the foreign military financing program.

Bill· SS. 1277 (104th)open

Pharmaceutical Industry Special Equity Act of 1996

United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1995

Prescription Drug Equity Act of 1995 - Declares that it is the sense of the Senate that the generic drug industry should be provided equitable relief in the manner other industries are provided such relief under certain Federal law patent transitional provisions, as amended by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act of 1994. Regulates the patent expiration date regarding new drug and new animal drug applications submitted before June 8, 1995 (or submitted after that date but with substantial investment before that date). Declares that the remedies of certain patent provisions shall not apply to acts that were commenced (or that had substantial investment) before that date and that became infringing by reason of specified provisions of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. Restricts the circumstances in which equitable remuneration may be awarded. Specifies the application approval circumstances to which this Act applies.

Bill· SS. 1191 (104th)referred

Consumer Access to Prescription Drugs Act of 1995

United States · United States Congress · 11 August 1995

Consumer Access to Prescription Drugs Act of 1995 - Regulates the patent expiration date regarding new drug and new animal drug applications submitted before June 8, 1995 (or submitted after that date but with substantial investment before that date). Declares that the remedies of certain patent provisions shall not apply to acts that were commenced (or that had substantial investment) before that date and that became infringing by reason of specified provisions of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. Restricts the circumstances in which equitable remuneration may be awarded. Sets forth what constitutes: (1) acts commenced prior to that date; and (2) substantial investment. Specifies the application approval and judicial circumstances to which this Act applies.

Bill· SS. 1166 (104th)reported

Food Quality Protection Act of 1995

United States · United States Congress · 10 August 1995

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Amendments to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Subtitle A: Registration of Pesticides Subtitle B: Minor Use Crop Protection Subtitle C: Conforming Amendments Title II: Data Collection and Improved Procedures to Ensure that Tolerances Safeguard the Health of Infants and Children Title III: Amendments to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act Food Quality Protection Act of 1995 - Title I: Amendments to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act - Subtitle A: Registration of Pesticides - Amends Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) reregistration provisions to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as soon as the Administrator has sufficient information with respect to the dietary risk of a particular active ingredient (but no later the date of a reregistration determination), to: (1) reassess each associated tolerance (or tolerance exemption) issued under Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) provisions regarding pesticide residues in raw agricultural commodities; (2) determine whether the tolerance or exemption meets FDCA requirements and whether additional such tolerances or exemptions should be issued; and (3) commence proceedings under both FIFRA and FDCA as are warranted. Establishes a science review board to assist the scientific advisory panel that comments on decisions of the Administrator to cancel a pesticide's registration or change its classification and on regulations issued under FIFRA. Revises the definition of "unreasonable adverse effects on the environment" to include among such effects a human dietary risk from residue that results from use of a pesticide inconsistent with the standard determined by the Administrator to be adequate to protect the public health under FDCA. Subtitle B: Minor Use Crop Protection - Amends FIFRA to define "minor use" as the use of a pesticide on an animal or commercial agricultural crop or site or for public health protection where: (1) the total U.S. acreage for the crop is fewer than 300,000 acres; or (2) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency determines that the use does not provide sufficient economic incentive to support the initial or continuing registration of a pesticide for such use and there are insufficient alternatives available for the use, any one of the alternatives poses greater environmental or health risks, or the pesticide plays or will play a significant part in managing pest resistance or in an integrated pest management program. Extends the period of exclusive data use for data submitted to support original registration applications for pesticides for an additional year for each three minor uses registered after this Act's enactment and before the expiration of the period of exclusive use, up to a total of three additional years for all minor uses registered by the Administrator if the Administrator determines that: (1) there are insufficient alternatives available for the use or any one of the alternatives poses greater environmental or health risks; or (2) the pesticide plays or will play a significant part in managing pest resistance or in an integrated pest management program. Requires the Administrator, upon the request of a registrant, to extend the deadline for the production of residue chemistry data required solely to support a minor use subject to specified conditions. Applies the same extension conditions to data for reregistrations. Authorizes the Administrator to modify or revoke such extensions if the use may cause unreasonable adverse environmental effects. Permits the Administrator, in handling the registration of a pesticide for a minor use, to waive applicable data requirements if the absence of data will not prevent the Administrator from determining the risk presented by the pesticide and that the risk would not have an adverse environmental effect. Provides for expedited review (within one year of submission) of applications to support minor use pesticide registrations. Provides a procedure for meeting data requirements where a registrant has voluntarily cancelled a registration and another application is pending for registration of a pesticide that is for a minor use and is identical or substantially similar to, or for an identical or substantially similar use as, the cancelled pesticide. Directs the Administrator to establish a minor use program. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a Department of Agriculture minor use program and a separate matching fund program. Requires the matching fund program to be utilized to ensure the continued availability of minor use crop protection chemicals. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Conforming Amendments - Makes conforming amendments to FIFRA related to pesticide minor uses. Title II: Data Collection and Improved Procedures to Ensure That Tolerances Safeguard the Health of Infants and Children - Directs the Administrator and the Secretaries of Agriculture and Health and Human Services to establish procedures to ensure that pesticide tolerances adequately safeguard the health of infants and children based on the recommendations of a specified report prepared by the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture: (1) to collect pesticide use data of statewide or regional significance for all the major crops and crops of dietary significance; and (2) in cooperation with the Administrator, to implement research, demonstration, and education programs to support adoption of integrated pest management. Requires Federal agencies to use and promote integrated pest management techniques. Title III: Amendments to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to redefine "pesticide chemical," subject to exception, as any substance that is a pesticide, or any active ingredient thereof, within the meaning of FIFRA. Defines "pesticide chemical residue," subject to exception, as a residue in or on a raw agricultural commodity or processed food of a pesticide chemical or any other added substance present as a result of a pesticide chemical's metabolism or other degradation. Deems a processed food not to be adulterated, within the meaning of FDCA, if there are present pesticide chemical residues at tolerance levels not considered unsafe. (Current law treats only raw agricultural commodities in this manner.) Sets forth requirements relating to tolerances and exemptions from tolerances for pesticide chemical residues in food, including residues of degradation products, which allow the presence in processed food at the tolerance applicable to the raw agricultural commodity from which the processed food is made. Prohibits establishment of a tolerance that is more stringent than a level the Administrator determines is adequate to protect the public health (i.e., if the dietary risk posed by such level of residues is negligible). Allows a greater than negligible dietary risk if: (1) use protects from greater adverse health effects to humans or the environment; (2) use avoids greater risks from another pesticide; or (3) the unavailability of the pesticide would reduce the availability of an adequate, wholesome, and economical domestic supply of the food. Prohibits issuance of a final rule that revokes, modifies, or suspends a tolerance or exemption until the Administrator has taken any necessary action under FIFRA with respect to the registration of the pesticide involved. Requires the Administrator, where a pesticide is labeled for use on a particular food, to: (1) revoke any tolerance or exemption that allows the presence of a particular chemical or its residue in or on such food if the Administrator cancels the registration of each pesticide that contains the chemical or modifies it to prohibit the pesticide's use in connection with such food; and (2) suspend any such tolerance or exemption upon the suspension of the use of each pesticide that contains the chemical. Provides for: (1) tolerances for unavoidable residues in the case of a residue of a canceled or suspended pesticide chemical that will unavoidably persist in the environment and be present in or on a food; and (2) residues resulting from an application which was lawful at the time of application but with respect to which the tolerance or exemption has since been revoked, suspended, or modified. Prohibits, subject to exception, a State from enforcing any limit on a qualifying pesticide chemical residue (as defined in this Act) in or on any food which is not identical to Federal requirements. Prohibits a State, absent an unreasonable dietary risk, from enforcing a limit on the level of residues in any food if the sale of such food containing such residue level was lawful at the time of application of the pesticide. Authorizes appropriations for increased monitoring of pesticide residues in imported and domestic food.

Bill· SS. 1155 (104th)referred

Agricultural Competitiveness Act of 1995

United States · United States Congress · 10 August 1995

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Wheat Title II: Feed Grains Title III: Cotton Title IV: Rice Title V: Oilseeds Title VI: Peanuts Title VII: Sugar Title VIII: General Commodity Provisions Subtitle A: Amendments to Agricultural Act of 1949 Subtitle B: Miscellaneous Commodity Provisions Subtitle C: Conforming Amendments Subtitle D: Application Agricultural Competitiveness Act of 1995 - Title I: Wheat - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 (Act) to extend and set forth wheat loan, payments, and acreage reduction programs. Establishes: (1) a minimum 85 percent loan and purchase level; (2) a $4.00 per bushel target price; and (3) a 75 percent non-paid base acreage. Title II: Feed Grains - Amends the Act to extend and set forth feed grain loan, payments, and acreage reduction programs. Establishes: (1) a minimum 85 percent loan and purchase level; (2) target prices for corn ($2.75 per bushel), oats ($1.45 per bushel), grain sorghums ($2.61 per bushel), and barley (85.8 percent of corn price); and (3) a 75 percent non-paid base acreage. Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to extend the silage recourse loan program. Title III: Cotton - Amends the Act to extend and set forth upland cotton loan, payments, and acreage reduction programs. Establishes: (1) a $0.729 per pound target price; and (2) a 75 percent non-paid base acreage. Extends: (1) the extra long staple cotton program; and (2) cottonseed and cottonseed oil price supports. Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to extend cotton skiprow practices. Amends the Cotton Statistics and Estimates Act to extend cotton classification services. Title IV: Rice - Amends the Act to extend and set forth rice loan, payments, and acreage reduction programs. Establishes: (1) a minimum 85 percent loan and purchase level; (2) a $10.71 per hundredweight target price; and (3) a 75 percent non-paid base acreage. Title V: Oilseeds - Amends the Act to extend and set forth the oilseed loan program. Establishes target prices for: (1) soybeans at $5.50 per bushel; (2) sunflower seed, canola, rapeseed, and flaxseed at $9.75 per hundredweight; and (3) other oilseeds based upon soybean prices. Title VI: Peanuts - Amends the Act to extend and revise the peanut program. Suspends marketing quota and acreage allotment provisions. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish national poundage quotas based upon domestic edible uses. Repeals: (1) undermarketing poundage increases; and (2) the special poundage allocation for Texas. Revises poundage quota transfer provisions. Extends experimental and research programs. Limits: (1) price support increases or decreases to five percent annually; and (2) entry into the New Mexico area marketing association to New Mexico-produced peanuts. Requires imported and exported peanuts to comply with U.S. quality standards. Extends assessment provisions. Title VII: Sugar - Amends the Act to extend and set forth sugar price support provisions. Establishes: (1) the sugarcane target price at 18 cents per pound; and (2) a two-tiered assessment for marketings within and in excess of base amounts. Establishes a procedure to assure the supply of raw cane sugar. Requires the establishment of marketing assessment bases. Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to extend the reporting requirement regarding third party nation exporting of Cuban sugar into the United States. Title VIII: General Commodity Provisions - Subtitle A: Amendments to Agricultural Act of 1949 - Amends the Act to extend: (1) deficiency and land diversion payments; and (2) support price and established price adjustments. Permits: (1) alternative crops to be planted on 100 percent (currently 25 percent) of crop acreage base without penalty; and (2) planting of crops on up to 25 percent of historical soybean acreage without loss of agricultural program eligibility. Subtitle B: Miscellaneous Commodity Provisions - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to extend payment limitations. Amends the Options Pilot Program Act of 1990 to extend the options pilot program. Amends the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to extend the National Agricultural Cost of Production Standards Review Board. Subtitle C: Conforming Amendments - Makes specified conforming amendments. Subtitle D: Application - Sets forth application dates for amendments made by this Act.

Bill· SS. 1150 (104th)referred

George C. Marshall Commemorative Coin Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 August 1995

George C. Marshall Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue one-dollar silver coins and half-dollar clad coins in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Marshall Plan and George Catlett Marshall. Mandates that coin sale surcharges be paid equally to: (1) the George C. Marshall Foundation; and (2) the Friends of George C. Marshall for construction and operation of the George C. Marshall Memorial and Visitor Center in Uniontown, Pennsylvania.

Bill· SS. 1088 (104th)open

Health Care Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act of 1995

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1995

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Fraud and Abuse Control Program Title II: Revisions to Current Sanctions for Fraud and Abuse Title III: Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions Title IV: Civil Monetary Penalties Title V: Amendments to Criminal Law Title VI: State Health Care Fraud Control Units Title VII: Medicare Billing Abuse Prevention Health Care Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act of 1995 - Title I: All-Payer Fraud and Abuse Control Program - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General to establish: (1) an all-payer fraud and abuse control program; and (2) guidelines, including information guidelines, to carry out such program. Establishes the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control account (the account), which shall consist in part of amounts deposited or transferred to such Account under specified health care offenses provisions of specified Acts. (Sec. 102) Applies specified Medicare and State health care anti-fraud and abuse provisions of part A (General Provisions) of SSA title XI to all Federal health programs. (Sec. 103) Directs the HHS Secretary annually to solicit proposals for modifications to existing safe harbors and for additional safe harbors, according to certain criteria, for payment practices. Permits any person, at any time, to request a notice from the HHS Inspector General (IG) which informs the public of practices which the IG considers to be suspect or of particular concern (special fraud alerts), as well as interpretive rulings with regard to the application of certain anti-fraud and abuse provisions under SSA title XI. Title II: Revisions to Current Sanctions for Fraud and Abuse - Amends provisions of titles XI (General Provisions and Peer Review) and XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for: (1) the mandatory exclusion of individuals with a felony fraud conviction from participation in Medicare and State health care programs; (2) a minimum period of exclusion for certain individuals and entities subject to permissive exclusion from Medicare and State health care programs; (3) the permissive exclusion of individuals with ownership or control interest in sanctioned entities; (4) a minimum period of exclusion for practitioners and individuals failing to meet statutory obligations; and (5) intermediate sanctions for Medicare health maintenance organizations. Title III: Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions - Directs the Secretary to provide for the establishment of a national health care fraud and abuse data collection program for the reporting of final adverse actions against health care providers, suppliers, or practitioners. Title IV: Civil Monetary Penalties - Provides, under part A of title XI of the Social Security Act, for: (1) the payment of the portion of amounts recovered under provisions of this Act into the account; and (2) an increase in the civil monetary penalty. Subjects an excluded individual retaining an ownership or controlling interest in a Medicare or State health care program to such penalty. Permits the Secretary to impose a penalty on any individual (including any organization, but excluding a beneficiary) who knowingly receives any kickback or bribe in return for making a referral or purchasing equipment in a Medicare or State health care program. Title V: Amendments to Criminal Law - Amends the Federal criminal code with respect to: (1) mail fraud, to impose a fine or imprisonment for up to ten years or both in the case of health care fraud; (2) the forfeiture of property in certain Federal health care offenses; (3) sppecified injunctive relief; (4) fines or imprisonment or both in connection with Federal health care offenses; and (5) penalties for obstructions of criminal investigations of Federal health care offenses, theft, or embezzlement in connection with health care, and the laundering of monetary instruments in connection with a Federal health care offense. Title VI: State Health Care Fraud Control Units - Provides, under Medicaid, for the extension of concurrent authority to investigate and prosecute fraud in other Federal programs and to investigate and prosecute patient abuse in non-Medicaid board and care facilities. Title VII: Medicare Billing Abuse Prevention - Directs the Secretary to: (1) require Medicare carriers to acquire commercial automatic data processing equipment meeting specified requirements to process Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) claims for the purpose of identifying billing code abuse; and (2) order a review of existing regulations, guidelines, and other guidance governing Medicare payment policies and billing code abuse to determine if revision is necessary to maximize the benefits to the Federal Government of the use of such equipment.

Bill· SS. 1086 (104th)referred

American Family-Owned Business Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1995

American Family-Owned Business Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross estate specified portions of the adjusted value of the qualified family-owned business interests of the decedent.

Bill· SS. 1080 (104th)referred

An Act to amend chapters 83 and 84 of title 5, United States Code, to provide additional investment funds for the Thrift Savings Plan, to permit employees to gain additional liquidity in their Thrift Savings Accounts, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1995

Thrift Savings Investment Funds Act of 1995 - Provides for additional stock index investment funds, including an International Stock Index Investment Fund and a Small Capitalization Stock Index Fund, for the Thrift Savings Plan under the Federal Employees' Retirement System.

Resolution· SRESS.Res. 155 (104th)open

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the action taken by the Government of Japan against United States air cargo and passenger carriers represents a clear violation of the United States/Japan bilateral aviation agreement that is having severe repercussions on United States air carriers and, in general, customers of these United States carriers.

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1995

Calls upon: (1) the Government of Japan to honor and abide by the terms of the United States-Japan bilateral aviation agreement and immediately authorize U.S. air cargo and passenger carriers which have pending route requests relating to their "beyond rights" to immediately commence service on such routes; and (2) the President to identify countermeasures that could be taken against such Government for its egregious violation of the agreement and to promptly impose appropriate countermeasures to ensure that such Government abides by the terms of the agreement.