United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1992
Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Act - Extends Federal recognition and associated benefits to the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians (Tribes) of Michigan. Provides for the Tribes to be governed by current interim documents and officials until the Secretary of the Interior conducts elections to adopt a constitution and elect new tribal officials.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1992
Condemns the killing and destruction by the political factions in Somalia. Urges such factions to abide by the United Nations (UN) ceasefire and to allow the deployment of security forces to protect humanitarian relief deliveries and workers. Commends the efforts of UN Secretary-General Boutrous Ghali and his Special Envoy to Somalia, Ambassador Sahnoun. Pays tribute to the actions of relief agencies working in Somalia. Recognizes the July 27, 1992, statement of the President urging the UN to deploy a sufficient number of security guards to permit relief supplies to move into and within Somalia, and committing funds for such an effort. Calls upon: (1) the international community to immediately expand its relief efforts in Somalia; and (2) the President to work with the UN Security Council to deploy security guards immediately to assure that humanitarian relief gets to those most in need.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1992
Declares that it is U.S. policy to seek international agreements prohibiting the sale, transfer, or export; limiting the use; and terminating the production, possession, or deployment of antipersonnel landmines. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should seek to negotiate an international agreement or a modification of the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or To Have Indiscriminate Effects to prohibit the sale, transfer, or export of antipersonnel landmines. Prohibits for a period of one year from this Act's enactment date: (1) sales, financing, transfers, and the issuance of licenses under the Arms Export Control with respect to antipersonnel landmines; and (2) assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 with respect to the provision of such landmines.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1992
Misleading Mailings Prevention Act of 1992 - Amends title XI of the Social Security Act to revise the prohibitions and penalties against misleading mailings. Requires annual reports to the Congress with respect to prohibition violations and associated penalties.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1992
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to classify certain passenger and multipurpose vans, sport utility vehicles, and other Jeep-type vehicles as motor vehicles for the transport of goods for purposes of tariff treatment under the Schedule.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1992
Declares that the Congress acknowledges and appreciates the commitment, devotion, and sacrifices of present and former military families. Designates November 23, 1992, as National Military Families Recognition Day.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1992
National Affordable Housing Act Amendments of 1992 - Title I: General Provisions and Policies - Directs the Secretaries of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and of Agriculture to establish respective performance goals for the major programs of HUD and the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA). Directs the Secretary of HUD (Secretary) to establish guidelines for State housing credit agency review of project subsidies. Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to: (1) authorize appropriations for HUD salaries and expenses; and (2) obligate specified funds for training and capacity building of HUD personnel. Exempts State or local government and housing authority employees engaged in official business from certain consultant registration requirements. Title II: Investment in Affordable Housing - Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to authorize appropriations for the HOME program, with specified set-asides for certain community housing partnership activities and for State and local housing strategies. Authorizes new housing construction in any rural area upon a certification of priority need and inadequate supply of affordable housing. Revises HOME provisions regarding: (1) administrative costs; (2) tenant-based rental assistance; (3) maximum subsidy limitations; (4) rent calculations; and (5) resale restrictions. Repeals the rental housing production set-aside. Replaces existing tiered matching fund provisions with a single matching fund requirement. Revises matching requirements for fiscally distressed communities. Extends the community housing production set-aside period. Directs the Secretary to make available a model program for the redevelopment of blighted urban areas. Title III: Homeownership - Subtitle A: Homeownership Initiatives - Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to authorize appropriations for the National Homeownership Trust. Authorizes the Trust to provide second mortgage assistance. Extends demonstration program authority, and includes funds for a program in Salt Lake City, Utah. Establishes enterprise zone homeownership opportunity grants. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: FHA and Secondary Mortgage Market - Establishes a National Interagency Task Force which shall study multifamily housing finance in order to develop a multifamily housing loan data base. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the National Housing Act to direct the Secretary to establish a multifamily finance demonstration program, including a housing finance agency pilot program. Title IV: HOPE - Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to authorize appropriations for the HOPE programs. Authorizes the Secretary to provide grants for Youthbuild projects which shall employ economically and educationally disadvantaged youth to help construct or rehabilitate rental and transitional housing for homeless persons and low-income families. Title V: Housing Assistance- Subtitle A: Public and Indian Housing - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to authorize appropriations for: (1) low-income public housing; and (2) public housing family centers. Extends set-asides for: (1) vacancy reduction; and (2) resident management training. Amends the Housing and Urban-Rural Recovery Act of 1983 to authorize appropriations for public housing early childhood development grants. Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to authorize appropriations for Indian public housing early childhood development grants. Revises public housing management provisions. Requires an independent management assessment for a troubled public housing agency. Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937, with regard to severely distressed public housing, to authorize: (1) planning and implementation grants; (2) ownership transfer of vacant or substantially vacant projects to private nonprofit organizations or State or local entities; (3) redevelopment grants in connection with such transfers; (4) operating subsidies to priority applicants that acquire eligible housing; and (5) capital improvement subsidies. Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to add a new section entitled the Choice in Management Act of 1992. Authorizes a program for the transfer of public housing management from troubled public housing agencies to alternative managers. Authorizes related: (1) obligations for housing rehabilitation; (2) technical assistance to help resident councils and public housing residents choose alternative management; (3) operating subsidies; and (4) capital improvement funding. Directs the Secretary to review and revise as necessary public and Indian housing regulations and procedures. Revises provisions regarding: (1) ceiling rents; (2) replacement housing; and (3) preference rules. Subtitle B: Low-Income Rental Assistance - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to permit eligible public housing residents who are first-time homebuyers to use vouchers or certificates for homeownership purposes. Directs the Secretary to carry out a demonstration program to help minority families with children move out of areas with high minority and poverty concentrations. Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to increase budget authority for family unification assistance. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 with respect to housing assistance in Jefferson County, Texas. Subtitle C: General Provisions and Other Assistance Programs - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to increase low-income housing budget authority. Obligates specified funds for various housing programs, including emergency homeownership counseling and prepurchase and foreclosure prevention counseling. Amends the Public and Assisted Housing Drug Elimination Act of 1990 to authorize appropriations for the drug elimination program. Title VI: Preservation - Subtitle A: Prepayment of Mortgages Insured Under National Housing Act - Amends the Low-Income Housing Preservation and Resident Homeownership Act of 1990 to authorize appropriations for housing preservation. Amends the National Housing Act with regard to prepayment of insured multifamily project mortgages. Obligates funds for technical and tenant capacity building assistance. Subtitle B: Other Preservation Provisions - Amends the Housing and Community Development Amendments of 1978 to establish new criteria for the program of Federal assistance to troubled multifamily housing projects. Authorizes program appropriations. Title VII: Rural Housing - Amends the Housing Act of 1949 with regard to rural housing to: (1) extend loan and loan guarantee authority; (2) authorize appropriations for rural housing programs; (3) extend set-asides for the deferred mortgage demonstration program; (4) extend set-asides for underserved areas and colonias; (5) extend set-asides for nonprofit entities; (6) permit housing preservation grants to be used for housing replacement; (7) permit FmHA inventory to be used for transitional housing for the homeless and for turnkey housing; (8) establish within FmHA an Office of Rental Housing Preservation; (9) prohibit the transfer of any program to the Rural Development Administration; (10) establish a rural rental housing voucher program; and (11) authorize the establishment of revolving loan funds for site acquisition and development. Title VIII: Housing for Persons With Special Needs - Subtitle A: Supportive Housing for the Elderly - Amends the Housing Act of 1959 to authorize appropriations for supportive housing for the elderly (capital advances and project rental assistance). Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to authorize appropriations for: (1) the revised congregate housing services program; and (2) HOPE for elderly independence program. Subtitle B: Supportive Housing for Persons With Disabilities - Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to authorize program appropriations for supportive housing for persons with disabilities. Subtitle C: Supportive Housing for the Homeless - Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to authorize appropriations for: (1) the emergency shelter grants program; (2) the supportive housing demonstration program; (3) supplemental assistance for facilities to assist the homeless; and (4) shelter plus care. Increases budget authority for section 8 assistance for single room occupancy dwellings. Authorizes a demonstration grant program to provide very low-cost housing, to be known as Safe Havens, for eligible homeless persons who are currently unwilling or unable to participate in mental health treatment programs or to receive other supportive services. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS - Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to authorize appropriations for the program of housing opportunities for persons with AIDS. Title IX: Community Development and Miscellaneous Programs - Subtitle A: Community and Neighborhood Development and Preservation - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 with regard to the community development block grant program (CDBG) to: (1) authorize program appropriations; (2) extend real property acquisition and rehabilitation loan guarantee authority; (3) provide a technical assistance set-aside; (4) repeal the nonhousing community development plan requirement; (5) extend set-asides for colonias; and (6) authorize the use of CDBG funds for loans and for economic capacity building. Amends the Housing and Urban-Rural Recovery Act of 1983 to authorize appropriations for the neighborhood development program. Amends the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation Act to authorize appropriations for the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation. Subtitle B: Regulatory Programs - Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to specify that appropriations for the Manufactured Housing Commission shall remain available until expended. Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Reform Act of 1989 to extend the term of and authorize appropriations for: (1) the National Commission on American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Housing; and (2) the National Commission on Severely Distressed Public Housing. Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Programs - Amends the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1970 to authorize appropriations for HUD research and development activities. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987 concerning the fair housing initiatives program to: (1) authorize program appropriations; (2) provide for private enforcement initiatives, regional and local programs, and education and outreach activities; and (3) obligate funds for private enforcement initiatives, fair housing enforcement organizations, and education and outreach. Amends the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 to revise provisions regarding employment opportunities for assisted public and Indian housing residents. Directs the Secretary to conduct a related enforcement and implementation study. Directs the Secretary to assess the housing impact of military base expansion. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987 to provide homeowner incentives under the Nehemiah housing opportunity grant program. Expresses the sense of the Senate that States and localities need explicit resource guidelines or additional funds to comply with Federal program mandates. Community Outreach Partnership Act of 1992 - Directs the Secretary to: (1) carry out a demonstration grant program to facilitate linkages between institutions of higher education and local communities in solving urban problems; and (2) establish a related national advisory council and a national clearinghouse. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to submit reports on community development lending and banking. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to establish a new flood insurance program zone for communities in which an existing flood control system that previously provided 100-year protection no longer does so. Directs the Secretary to establish an energy efficient mortgages pilot program. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to prohibit lump sum relocation payments to displaced residents of HUD housing, except for purposes of moving expenses or purchase downpayments. Requires publication of final HUD regulations for smoke detector installation. Directs the Secretary to make grants to strengthen the National Cities in Schools Program and the National Center for Partnership Development. Authorizes appropriations. Title X: Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 - Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 - Subtitle A: Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction - Authorizes the Secretary to provide grants to States and local entities for lead-based paint hazard reduction activities in private target housing. Authorizes appropriations, including a technical assistance set-aside. Amends specified Federal housing Acts to require assessments of lead-based paint hazards. Amends the Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act to require the inspection and abatement of lead-based paint hazards in all pre-1978 federally owned residential properties prior to disposition. Directs the Secretary to establish a private sector task force on lead-based paint hazard reduction and financing. Subtitle B: Evaluation and Reduction Infrastructure - Requires Federal assessment and reduction of lead-based paint hazards to be conducted by federally certified contractors and laboratories. Directs the Secretary to: (1) issue lead-based paint hazard assessment and reduction guidelines; and (2) establish a National Clearinghouse on Residential Lead-Based Paint Poisoning. Subtitle C: Public Information and Technical Assistance - Provides for the disclosure of information concerning lead-based paint hazards in contracts for purchase, sale, or leasing of target housing. Requires the Secretary to: (1) publish a related lead hazard information pamphlet; and (2) develop a public awareness campaign regarding the dangers of childhood lead poisoning. Subtitle D: Research and Development - Part 1: HUD Research - Directs the Secretary to conduct research on: (1) lead exposure from non-paint sources such as exterior soil and lead dust; and (2) lead testing technologies. Sets aside funds for such activities. Part 2: GAO Report - Directs the General Accounting Office to: (1) assess the availability of liability insurance for owners of residential housing that contains lead-based paint and persons engaged in assessment and reduction activities; and (2) assess Federal enforcement activities. Subtitle E: Reports - Sets forth reporting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1992
Older Americans Act Amendments of 1992 - Title I: Objectives and Definitions - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 (OAA) to make as an OAA objective the provision of support to family members and other persons providing voluntary care to older individuals needing long-term care services. Adds the definitions of various terms to OAA, including "elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation." Title II: Administration - Adds to the prohibition against delegation of Commissioner on Aging functions to any other officer not directly responsible to the Commissioner those functions of the Commissioner carried out through regional offices. Adds the following as new functions of the Associate Commissioner on American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian Aging: (1) promoting coordination between programs established under OAA titles III (Grants for State and Community Programs on Aging) and VI (Grants for Native Americans); (2) acting as an advocate for Native Americans with the Indian Health Service; and (3) collecting and disseminating information regarding elder abuse, in-home care, health programs, and other problems unique to Native Americans. Establishes the Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs in the Administration on Aging (AOA), to be headed by an Associate Commissioner for Ombudsman Programs who shall serve as an advocate on behalf of long-term care facility residents within HHS and with other Federal departments and agencies. Directs the AOA Commissioner to: (1) establish and operate the National Ombudsman Resource Center to provide training, technical assistance, and information to State Long-Term Care Ombudsmen, analyze laws, regulations, programs, and practices, and provide assistance regarding recruitment and retention of volunteer ombudsmen; (2) issue regulations, and conduct strict monitoring of State compliance with requirements in effect, to prohibit conflicts of interest; (3) encourage, and provide technical assistance to, States and area agencies on aging (State and area agencies) to carry out outreach with respect to assistance under the SSI and Medicaid programs (titles XVI and XIX respectively of the Social Security Act (SSA)) and food stamp program; (5) establish information and assistance services as priority services; (6) develop guidelines for area agencies to follow in choosing and evaluating legal assistance providers and developers; (7) develop a model job description for legal assistance developers; (8) study ways in which Federal funds might be more effectively targeted to older low-income minorities and older rural residents to better meet the needs of States with a disproportionate number of older individuals in greatest need, as well as States with disproportionate numbers of older individuals generally; and (9) take other specified actions, including those with respect to establishing the National Center on Elder Abuse and the National Aging Information Center. Outlines funding requirements for the National Ombudsman Resource Center and the National Center on Elder Abuse. Requires the AOA Commissioner to coordinate, advise, consult and cooperate with the Secretary of Labor in carrying out the Community Service Employment Program for Older Americans and with ACTION in carrying out OAA. Requires the Labor Secretary to consult and cooperate with the AOA Commissioner in carrying out the Job Training Partnership Act. Requires the head of each Federal entity administering programs and services substantially related to OAA objectives to collaborate with the AOA Commissioner and develop an analysis of the impact of such programs and services on older individuals (with particular attention on older low-income minority individuals), and on the functions and responsibilities of State and area agencies. Includes as programs related to the purposes of OAA the Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Programs under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968. Requires the AOA Commissioner to consult and coordinate with State agencies, area agencies on aging, and Native American grant recipients in the development of Federal goals, regulations, program instructions, and policies under OAA. Establishes class memberships for individuals newly appointed to serve on the Federal Council on the Aging. Makes it a duty of the Council to advise the AOA Commissioner directly on matters affecting the special needs of older individuals for services and assistance under OAA. Authorizes appropriations. Makes mandatory currently discretionary interim Council reports to the President. Provides for a nutrition officer with responsibility over nutrition services provided under OAA title III. Revises program evaluation provisions. Requires that the annual report on the long-term care ombudsman program be compiled by March 1 of each year, rather than by January 15 as is currently required. Authorizes the AOA Commissioner and the Secretary of Agriculture to provide technical assistance and appropriate material to agencies carrying out nutrition education programs. Authorizes appropriations for OAA program administrative expenses and AOA salaries and expenses. Requires the AOA Commissioner to study and report to specified congressional committees on the effectiveness of State long-term care ombudsman programs. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to arrange to establish study committees working through the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences to study and report to the Congress on: (1) the quality of board and care facilities for older individuals; and (2) the quality of home care services to them. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: State and Community Programs on Aging - Amends OAA title III to add: (1) to the list of purposes for such title the securing of the opportunity for older individuals to receive managed in-home and community-based long-term care services; and (2) to the list of entities that are to cooperate with State and area agencies other State agencies, including those that administer home and community programs, and organizations representing or employing older individuals or their families. Modifies the definition of "comprehensive and coordinated system." Authorizes appropriations. Revises allotment provisions. Sets a minimum annual allotment of $50,000 per State for supportive activities for caretakers. Mandates withholding of allotments for those States which have not had their intrastate funding formula approved. Adds provisions with respect to outreach demonstration projects and volunteer services coordinators. Makes the designated State agency primarily responsible for the planning, policy development, administration, coordination, priority setting, and evaluation of all State activities related to OAA objectives. Requires that the intrastate funding formula be developed in consultation with area agencies and take into account older individuals distributed both throughout the State and, with respect to older individuals in greatest need, among agency planning and services areas, with particular attention to older low-income minority individuals. Requires submission of such formula to the AOA Commissioner, who shall approve it, rather than review and comment upon it as currently required, once it is found to fulfill OAA requirements. Requires the designated State agency to provide assurances that it will require the use of outreach efforts to identify individuals eligible for OAA assistance and inform them of the availability of such assistance. Requires the designated State agency to: (1) set specific goals for each planning and service area for providing services to older low-income minority individuals; (2) provide assurance that it will undertake specific program development, advocacy, and outreach efforts focused on the needs of such minority individuals; and (3) provide a description of its efforts in this regard. Declares that whenever a State agency initiates an action or proceeding to revoke the designation of an area agency, designate an additional planning and service area, divide the State into different such areas, or otherwise affect planning and service area boundaries, it must establish and follow procedures to provide due process to affected parties. Revises area and State plan provisions. Revises provisions concerning the transfer of funds between: (1) supportive and nutrition services programs; and (2) congregate and home delivered nutrition services programs. Allows the AOA Commissioner to reimburse States for supplies in the event of a major disaster declared by the President in accordance with the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. Requires the AOA Commissioner to advance at least 75 percent of the disaster relief reimbursement to the State within five days of the President's disaster declaration. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to maintain, for FY 1992, a level of assistance equal to the greater of: (1) a per meal reimbursement rate equal to the amount appropriated, divided by the number of meals served in the preceding fiscal year; or (2) 61 cents per meal. Provides for Consumer Price Index adjustment of the 61 cents per meal for FY 1993 and subsequent fiscal years. Provides that in each fiscal year the final reimbursement claims shall be adjusted to use the full amount appropriated for that fiscal year. Authorizes appropriations for the surplus commodities distribution program. Directs the AOA Commissioner to require entities that provide in-home services to promote specified rights of the older individual who receives such services. Adds certain new supportive services to the list of those currently authorized under OAA title III. Allows congregate and home delivered nutrition projects to operate in rural areas at a frequency that is less than the frequency currently required. Repeals certain dietary requirements for such projects. Requires the AOA Commissioner to consult with representatives from the Dietary Managers Association in developing criteria for furnishing meals under home delivered nutrition projects. Adds two new subparts entitled "School-Based Meals for Volunteer Older Individuals and Multigenerational Programs" and "General Provisions" to part C (Nutrition Services) of OAA title III under which: (1) a new program will provide meals to older individuals who do volunteer work in public schools; and (2) current nutrition projects will provide meals that comply with certain dietary guidelines and allowances. Authorizes the addition of other in-home services (as defined under area and State plans) to the list of in-home services currently authorized under OAA title III. Gives OAA title III part F (Preventive Health Services) the new name "Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Services" and adds additional services which may be provided under it. States that the services provided under such part shall not include those for which payment may be made under SSA title XVIII (Medicare). Modifies and shifts to a new OAA title VII (Allotments for Vulnerable Elder Rights Protection Activities) the OAA title III part G program for the prevention of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older individuals. Repeals the old part G program. Adds a new part G program entitled "Supportive Activities for Caretakers Who Provide In-Home Services to Frail Older Individuals" under which the AOA Commissioner shall carry out a State grant program to provide supportive activities for caretakers who provide in-home services to frail older individuals. Lists those activities which constitute supportive activities. Includes the maintenance of lists of individuals who provide respite services as a supportive activity. Title IV: Training, Research, and Discretionary Projects and Programs - Amends OAA title IV (Training, Research, and Discretionary Projects and Programs) to require the AOA Commissioner to: (1) consult annually with State and area agencies, Native American grant recipients, and other entities and individuals in developing priorities for grants and contracts; and (2) ensure that grants and contracts are evaluated for their benefit to older individuals and OAA programs and comply with OAA requirements. Makes such education and training projects emphasize attracting minority personnel to the field of aging in order to help meet critical shortages of adequately training personnel for programs in that field. Makes it a purpose of grants and contracts to provide education and training for practitioners in the field of gerontology. Makes in-service training emphasize using culturally sensitive practices to respond to the needs of older individuals. Provides for training of service providers with respect to aging and the problems of older individuals. Adds schools of social work and psychology to the list of schools which multidisciplinary centers of gerontology are required to help develop training programs in the field of aging. Revises provisions with respect to demonstration projects and special projects in comprehensive long-term care. Allows legal assistance agencies to participate in ombudsman and advocacy demonstration projects for developmental disabilities and mental illness. Authorizes demonstration projects to provide: (1) older individuals with multigeneration activities; and (2) supportive services to older individuals who are residents in federally assisted housing projects. Authorizes the AOA Commissioner to award grants to eligible communities (with a preference for applicants experienced in operating community programs and programs meeting the independent living needs of older individuals) to establish neighborhood senior care programs, in order to encourage professionals to provide volunteer services to local residents who are older individuals and who might otherwise have to be admitted to nursing homes and hospitals. Requires the AOA Commissioner, to the extent appropriations are available, to contract for the establishment of a technical resource center that will: (1) assist the Commissioner in developing criteria for, and in awarding grants to communities to establish, neighborhood senior care programs; (2) assist communities interested in establishing such a program; (3) provide ongoing analysis of such programs and provide program data to the AOA Commissioner; (4) serve as a liaison to State agencies; and (5) take any further actions as required. Authorizes the AOA Commissioner to make grants to selected agencies and organizations to support improvement of information and assistance services, and systems of services, operated at State and local levels. Requires the AOA Commissioner to: (1) establish and carry out senior transportation demonstration programs for the purpose of improving the mobility of, and transportation services for, older individuals; and (2) make grants to or enter into contracts with eligible entities to establish and operate Resource Centers on Native American Elders. Requires such Centers to: (1) gather information and perform research on priority areas of concern regarding older Native Americans; (2) provide for dissemination of research results; and (3) provide technical assistance and training to entities that provide services to older Native Americans. Requires the AOA Commissioner to make grants for: (1) services for older individuals with developmental disabilities and for older individuals with caretaker responsibilities for developmentally disabled children; (2) housing ombudsman programs; and (3) foreclosure and eviction assistance and relief services. Authorizes demonstration projects that generate non-Federal resources in order to increase resources available to provide additional services under OAA title III. Requires the AOA Commissioner to make grants to institutions of higher education, historically black colleges or universities, Hispanic Centers of Excellence in Applied Gerontology, and other educational institutions that serve the needs of minority students, to provide education and training to prepare students for careers in the field of aging. Requires the AOA Commissioner to establish and carry out pension rights demonstration projects. Authorizes appropriations. Revises provisions respecting demonstration project grant payments and AOA Commissioner responsibilities. Title V: Community Service Employment for Older Americans - Amends the Older American Community Service Employment Act (OAA title IX) to make miscellaneous and technical amendments with respect to employment projects. Authorizes appropriations. Provides that assistance under such Act shall not be construed to be financial assistance for purposes related to the Immigration and Nationality Act. Title VI: Grants For Native Americans - Amends OAA title X (Grants for Native Americans) to require applicants for grants under parts A (Indian Program) and B (Native Hawaiian Program) to assure that they will coordinate services under OAA titles III and X in same geographical area. Provides for the distribution of OAA title X grant funds among: (1) tribal organizations; and (2) organizations serving Native Hawaiians. Authorizes appropriations. Title VII: Vulnerable Elder Rights Protection Activities - Adds to OAA the new title VII (Allotments for Vulnerable Elder Rights Protection Activities) referenced above in title III of this Act. Establishes ombudsman programs, programs for prevention of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, a State elder rights and legal assistance development program, and an outreach, counseling, and assistance program. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the AOA Commissioner to make allotments to States to pay for the cost of carrying out vulnerable elder rights protection activities. Directs the AOA Commissioner to make grants for vulnerable elder rights protection activities with respect to Native Americans. Authorizes appropriations. Title VIII: Amendments to Other Laws; Related Matters - Requires the Director of the National Center for Health Statistics of the Centers for Disease Control to collect and report on certain demographic information on home health care aides and nursing home nurse aids, as well as information on the role of such aides in providing institution-based and home-based long-term care. Requires the Labor Secretary to: (1) collect, and prepare a report containing, certain information on home health care aides, including information on conditions of employment and employment benefits with respect to such aides; and (2) collect and prepare a report containing similar information with respect to nursing home nurse aides. Requires the Director's and Secretary's reports to be transmitted to the AOA Commissioner. Requires the AOA Commissioner to review such reports, then submit them to appropriate congressional committees along with comments and findings. Requires the Labor Secretary to include a separate occupation code for each such aide in Labor wage surveys conducted after enactment of this Act. Amends the National School Lunch Act to revise the definition of "adult day care center" to include entities licensed to provide adult day care services to individuals in a group living arrangement. Native American Programs Act Amendments of 1992 - Amends the Native American Programs Act of 1974 (NAPA) to transfer from the HHS Secretary to the Commissioner of the Administration to Native Americans (established by this Act) authority for financial assistance to Native American projects. Makes private agencies serving Alaska Native organizations in urban or rural areas not associated with an Alaska Native village eligible for financial assistance. Makes the Office of Hawaiian Affairs of Hawaii (Office) the sole recipient of grants from the Commissioner referenced below for a currently authorized revolving loan fund for economic development in Hawaii. Repeals the termination date for such loan fund (thus making it permanent). Requires the Office to provide matching non-Federal contributions to the fund for each grant. Authorizes appropriations. Repeals provisions that require unneeded monies in the fund to be deposited as miscellaneous receipts in the Treasury. Revises associated congressional reporting requirements. Establishes in HHS the Administration for Native Americans (Administration), which shall be headed by a Commissioner (Commissioner), and in the Office of the Secretary (Secretary) the Intra-Departmental Council on Native American Affairs (Council). Makes the Administration responsible for carrying out programs under NAPA. Makes the Commissioner the chairperson of the Council. Requires the Commissioner to advise the HHS Secretary on all matters affecting Native Americans that involve HHS. Requires the Council to: (1) prepare a plan to allow tribal governments and other eligible Native American organizations to consolidate HHS grants; and (2) designate a single office to oversee and audit such grants. Revises technical assistance and training provisions. Modifies appeal and evaluation provisions. Adds congressional reporting requirements regarding social and economic conditions of Native Amerians. Extends employment preference to individuals who are eligible for NAPA assistance. Revises administrative provisions. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) demonstration projects to conduct research related to Native American studies and Indian policy development; (2) continued development of a detailed plan for a National Center for Native American Studies and Indian Policy Development; and (2) specified provisions of NAPA. Amends the Older Americans Act Amendments of 1987 to require the President to convene a White House Conference on Aging before January 1, 1995. Authorizes appropriations. Expresses the sense of the Congress that such Conference should consider the impact of the social security earnings test on older individuals who are employed. Title IX: General Provisions - Provides that any authority to enter into contracts under this Act shall be effective only to the extent or in such amounts as are provided in advance in appropriations Acts. Requires the HHS Secretary to issue proposed regulations to carry out the amendments made by titles I through VII of this Act. Expresses the sense of the Congress that a recipient of Federal financial assistance awarded under this Act for equipment or product purchases should use such assistance to purchase American-made equipment or products. Sets forth effective dates of provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1992
Brain Injury Rehabilitation Quality Act of 1992 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to provide for optional Medicaid coverage of services provided through a State case management program that meets specified requirements to Medicaid-eligible individuals who sustain traumatic brain injuries. Describes the services provided under such a program. Specifies criteria related to the eligibility of individuals and service providers to participate in such a program. Requires that an individual reside in a State that has designated a State coordinator for traumatic brain injuries in order to receive services under this Act. Requires such coordinator to establish policies and standards for providing services, make necessary reports to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, supervise and coordinate services for persons with traumatic brain injuries, and perform other specified duties, including establishing an advisory committee. Makes such coordinator responsible for a program of activities related to preventing and reducing the rate of traumatic brain injuries in the State. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control, to establish standards for the reporting of data on traumatic brain injuries and the operation of registries of traumatic brain injuries for coordinator use. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Administrator for Health Care Policy and Research to conduct a study on the effectiveness of traumatic brain injury interventions. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1992
Enhanced Enterprise Zone Act of 1992 - Title I: Designation of Enterprise Zones - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987 to revise the enterprise zone designation procedure. Title II: Studies - Directs the Comptroller General to study: (1) enterprise zone effectiveness; and (2) insurance availability in central cities and distressed urban areas. Title III: Zone Coordination Advisory Council - Requires each jurisdiction containing an enterprise zone to appoint a Zone Coordination Advisory Council. Title IV: Community Building Enhancements - Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to authorize additional appropriations for jurisdictions containing enterprise zones. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to permit, and authorize appropriations for, use of community development block grants (CDBG) in enterprise zones. Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to authorize an enterprise zone Youthbuild program. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Public and Assisted Housing Drug Elimination Act of 1990 to give public housing drug elimination grant priority to enterprise zones. Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to authorize planning and implementation grants for severely distressed public housing revitalization. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to give rural housing preference to enterprise zones. Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to reduce the HOME investment partnerships matching requirement for enterprise zones. Amends the Federal Transit Act to increase the Federal share of public transportation projects for enterprise zones. Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordability Housing Act to: (1) exempt new construction in enterprise zones from certain HOME investment partnerships requirements; and (2) establish a model program to facilitate the redevelopment of severely blighted inner city areas. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 with regard to the CDBG program to: (1) provide economic development technical assistance to public or nonprofit entities; (2) set forth criteria for low-income employee determinations; (3) reduce paperwork for small and micro-business development initiatives; and (4) implement a training program for Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) personnel. Directs the Comptroller General to report to the Congress on the types and quality of jobs created pursuant to title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. Title V: Enterprise Capital Access Fund - Enterprise Capital Access Fund Demonstration Program - Establishes a demonstration program to provide loans and technical assistance grants to nonprofit financial intermediaries in order to finance business and employment opportunities, low-income housing opportunities, and neighborhood revitalization projects. Establishes within HUD an Office of Community Banking to carry out this title. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1992
Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1992 - Prohibits any agency, department, or official of the United States or any State (the government) from burdening a person's exercise of religion even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability, except that the government may burden a person's exercise of religion only if it demonstrates that application of the burden to the person is: (1) essential to further a compelling governmental interest; and (2) the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest. Sets forth provisions pertaining to judicial relief, attorney's fees, and applicability.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1992
Agricultural Credit Improvement Act of 1992 - Title I: Amendments to the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program of assistance (ten-year maximum) for beginning farmers (including aquaculture) and ranchers. Requires an applicant to submit a farm operations plan (plan) to the appropriate county committee, which must be approved by the committee and then by the Secretary of Agriculture. Provides assistance in the form of operating and equipment loans or guarantees. Gives applicants priority for equipment purchases in the Farmers Home Administration inventory. Terminates assistance for avoidable failure to achieve plan goals. Directs the Secretary to establish within the farm ownership loan program a ten-year down payment loan program for beginning farmers and ranchers. Sets forth loan terms. Limits the availability of certain other agricultural loans and guarantees to beginning farmers and ranchers during specified applicable periods. Sets forth debt service margin requirements. Provides for: (1) Federal-State beginning farmer assistance coordination; and (2) the establishment of an Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers. Directs the Secretary to establish a plan to encourage the graduation of assisted borrowers to private commercial credit. Limits operating loan assistance to ten years and loan guarantee assistance to 15 years. Authorizes hardship waivers. Title II: Amendments to the Farm Credit Act of 1971 - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to repeal the authority of the Farm Credit System (FCS) Insurance Corporation to designate one of its directors as a nonvoting representative to the board of directors of the Federal Farm Credit Banks Funding Corporation. Expands water and sewer lending authority of banks for cooperatives. Repeals the limitation on FCS bank director compensation. Includes director compensation in the scope of FCS institution examinations. Requires all FCS institutions to be examined at least once every three years. Repeals the prohibition on tax-exempt guarantees. Title III: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective dates of amendments made by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1992
Amends the Competitiveness Policy Council Act to rename it and to: (1) change the name of the Competitiveness Policy Council to the National Competitiveness Policy Commission (Commission); and (2) reauthorize the Commission through FY 1996 at current levels. Amends the National Competitiveness Policy Commission Act (as renamed) to make technical changes with respect to Commission duties, powers, staff and reporting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1992
Cuban Democracy Act of 1992 - Sets forth U.S. policy with respect to Cuba. Declares that the President should encourage countries that conduct trade with Cuba to restrict their trade and credit regulations with Cuba in a manner consistent with this Act. Authorizes the President to impose the following sanctions against countries that provide assistance to Cuba: (1) ineligibility for assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 or the Arms Export Control Act; (2) a prohibition on agreements with the United States for the establishment of free trade areas; and (3) ineligibility for forgiveness or reduction of debt owed to the U.S. Government. Terminates such sanctions if the President reports to the Congress that Cuba has met conditions established under this Act concerning democracy, human rights, and a free market economy. Prohibits restrictions on the export to Cuba of medicines, subject to specified conditions and inspection requirements. Permits telecommunications services between the United States and Cuba. Requires the U.S. Postal Service to provide direct mail service to and from Cuba. Authorizes the President to provide assistance to promote nonviolent democratic change in Cuba. Prohibits the issuance of licenses for certain transactions between U.S.-controlled firms in third countries and Cuba. Bars domestic concerns from receiving a tax deduction for the portion of the deductible expenses of such concerns which are allocated or apportioned to income derived from Cuba. Prohibits vessels which enter Cuba to engage in trade from loading or unloading any freight in the United States within 180 days after departure from Cuba. Prohibits: (1) vessels carrying goods or passengers to or from Cuba or carrying goods in which a Cuban national has an interest from entering a U.S. port, except as authorized by the Secretary of the Treasury; and (2) specified commodities authorized to be exported under a general license from being exported under such a license to any such vessels. Directs the President to establish strict limits on remittances to Cuba by U.S. persons for purposes of financing the travel of Cubans to the United States to assure that such remittances are not used by the Cuban Government as a means of gaining access to U.S. currency. Declares that food, medicine, and medical supplies for humanitarian purposes should be made available to Cuba under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 if the President certifies to the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the Government of Cuba: (1) has made a commitment to hold free and fair elections for a new government within six months and is proceeding to implement that decision; (2) has made a commitment to respect and is respecting human rights and basic democratic freedoms; and (3) is not providing weapons or funds to any group in any other country that seeks the violent overthrow of the government of such country. Waives sanctions against Cuba under this Act if the President reports to the Congress that Cuba: (1) has held free and fair elections conducted under internationally recognized observers; (2) has permitted opposition parties ample time to campaign for such elections and has permitted full access to the media to all candidates; (3) is showing respect for basic civil liberties and human rights; (4) is moving toward establishing a free market economic system; and (5) has committed itself to constitutional change that would ensure regular free and fair elections. Requires the President, if he makes such report, to take the following actions with respect to a freely-elected Cuban Government: (1) encourage the admission of such government to international organizations and financial institutions; (2) provide emergency relief during Cuba's transition to a viable economic system; (3) take steps to end the U.S. trade embargo of Cuba; and (4) enter into negotiations for a trade agreement with Cuba. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to exercise the authorities of the Trading With the Enemy Act in enforcing this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Trading With the Enemy Act to authorize the Secretary to impose a civil penalty on violators of such Act. Provides for forfeiture of any property or vessel that is the subject of a violation. Requires the Department of the Treasury to establish a branch of the Office of Foreign Assets Control in Miami, Florida.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1992
Information Infrastructure and Technology Act of 1992 - Amends the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 to require the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, through the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology, to establish an Information Infrastructure Program and five-year implementation plan that shall provide a coordinated interagency effort to develop technologies needed to apply high-performance computing and high-speed networking in education, libraries, health care, manufacturing, and other appropriate fields. Requires the plan to take into consideration the activities of the Library of Congress. Directs the establishment of an advisory committee, consisting of qualified industry and academia representatives, on high-performance computing and high-speed networking communications to independently assess plan progress. Requires Federal agency plan participants to report annually on high-performance computing activities. Directs the National Science Foundation and other appropriate agencies to provide for the development of advanced technologies for use in education, including pilot projects connecting primary and secondary schools to the Internet and the National Research and Education Network. Directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to establish an Advanced Manufacturing Systems and Networking Project to create a collaborative multiyear technology development program. Directs the National Institutes of Health to develop technologies for applications in the health care sector, including application of testbed networks linking medical facilities and schools for the sharing of medical data and imagery. Calls for the development of technologies for digital libraries of electronic information, including the development of advanced data storage systems. Directs the National Science Foundation, working with the supercomputer centers it supports, to develop prototype digital libraries of scientific data, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to develop databases of software and remote-sensing images. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1992
Trade and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1992 - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to establish in the International Trade Commission (ITC) an Office of Trade and Technology Competitiveness (Office) which shall monitor U.S. performance with respect to critical technologies and assess the long-term performance of certain critical technology industries of the United States relative to the industries of key competitor countries. Requires the ITC to report to the President and the Congress a summary all studies assessing the relative international positions of key competitor countries in each of the critical technologies. Requires the Office to report annually to the Congress the ITC's analysis of the international competitive positions of the United States and key competitor nations in each of the critical technologies. Requires other specified reports.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1992
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to repeal the prohibition against separate billing for electrocardiogram interpretations. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make separate payment under the Medicare fee schedule for any such interpretations performed or ordered to be performed as part of or in conjunction with a visit to or a consultation with a physician. Provides for adjustment of medical visit and consultation relative values so as not to include relative value units for electrocardiogram interpretation in the relative value for medical visits and consultations. Sets forth guidelines for the adjustment of Medicare fee schedule amounts to reflect the separate payment for electrocardiogram interpretations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1992
Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act to extend from June 30, 1992, to October 31, 1992, the transition rule for separate capitalization required of certain subsidiaries of savings associations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1992
Establishes reemployment rights for Department of Defense (DOD) employees in reduction in force (RIF) actions. Requires DOD and each military department concerned to offer an employee who has been released under a RIF the right of first refusal to a job such entity restores within two years after the employee's release. Prohibits such entities from replacing within two years such an employee with a contract or temporary employee. Provides that if DOD or a military department seeks to staff some positions within two years after a RIF, it must offer reemployment to employees released under the RIF on the basis of seniority. Requires the Office of Personnel Management to keep a Government-wide list of vacant positions and establish a toll-free number which will enable the public to access information on the list. Requires Federal agencies to give qualified displaced DOD employees full consideration before hiring candidates from outside the agency. Codifies existing regulations requiring agencies to issue specific written notices to employees and their representatives at least 60 days prior to a RIF. Requires additionally that an agency also notify the appropriate State dislocated worker unit and chief elected official whenever a significant number of employees will be separated under a RIF. Amends the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 and the Defense Authorization Amendments and Base Closure and Realignment Act to make civilian employees at military installations scheduled for closure or realignment eligible to receive assistance under the defense conversion adjustment program under the Job Training Partnership Act one year in advance of the closure or realignment. Provides that DOD or each military department concerned may offer certain employees the option of receiving a lump sum payment for unused sick leave. Provides that this option is in lieu of adding unused sick leave to length of service for purposes of calculating Federal retirement benefits. Allows DOD and each military department concerned to authorize payment of a lump sum separation benefit to certain civilian employees to encourage voluntary separations. Sets forth rules for determining the amount of such payment. Provides that civilian employees at military bases scheduled for closure between October 1, 1992, and December 31, 1997, will be allowed to have annual leave which was lost as a result of closure operations during such period restored. Provides for continued health benefit coverage for DOD employees involuntarily separated under a RIF. Requires such an employee to continue to pay his or her share of the premium under the health plan involved. Provides that an employee who is involuntarily separated under a RIF will be treated as if entitled to an immediate annuity under the Thrift Saving Plan.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1992
Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to include interim processors within industries producing processed agricultural products. Prohibits the United States International Trade Commission, in making certain determinations of material injury, from considering the relative overall health of the domestic industry to be dispositive of the issue of material injury or the threat thereof, but allows the consideration of the relative health of such industry only in the context of import impact.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1992
Legal Services Reauthorization Act of 1992 - Amends the Legal Services Corporation Act to authorize appropriations for the Legal Services Corporation for FY 1993 through 1997. Amends the Federal criminal code to: (1) apply Federal criminal laws against theft, fraud, and embezzlement to Corporation funds; and (2) make the Federal criminal statute against obstructing a Federal audit applicable with regard to auditors employed or retained by the Corporation. Specifies that certain provisions of the False Claims Act apply to the Corporation, any financial assistance recipient and other grantee or contractor of the Corporation (awardee), subgrantee or subcontractor of any such entity, or employee thereof (thus, giving the Attorney General the authority to bring a civil action against any person employed by or contracting with a recipient, subrecipient, grantee, or contractor who perpetuates a fraud with Corporation funds, but excluding from application to the Corporation and its recipients provisions which permit a private person to initiate a false claims action). Revises prohibitions on the use of Corporation funds for lobbying purposes to prohibit such use by an awardee: (1) to pay for publicity or propaganda intended or designed to support or defeat legislation pending before the Congress or State or local legislative bodies, or to influence any decision by a Federal, State, or local agency; (2) to pay for any personal service, advertisement, telegram, telephone communication, letter, printed matter, or other device intended or designed to influence: any decision by a Federal, State, or local agency, except when legal assistance is provided by an employee of an awardee of the Corporation to an eligible client on a particular matter which directly involves the client's legal rights or responsibilities; any Member of Congress or other Federal, State, or local elected official to favor or oppose any referendum, initiative, constitutional amendment, or similar procedure of the Congress, State legislature, local council, or similar governing body; or any such Member or official to favor or oppose legislation (with exceptions); or (3) for adminstrative or related costs associated with such prohibited activities. Permits the use of such funds in connection with any communication: (1) made in response to a Federal, State, or local agency or elected official; or (2) to a Federal, State, or local elected official pertaining to the authorization or appropriation of funds or any other measure affecting the authority, functions, or funding of, or pertaining to oversight measures directly affecting, the awardee or the Corporation, if the project director or designee of the awardee has expressly determined that the legislative body involved is considering such authorization, appropriation, or other measure, or is conducting oversight of the awardee or the Corporation. Requires the Corporation to: (1) arrange for evaluations to determine whether awardees are providing comprehensive, economical, and effective legal assistance to eligible clients; and (2) conduct monitoring and investigations into allegations that an awardee has violated applicable requirements. Sets forth provisions concerning investigation procedures. Directs the Board of Directors of the Corporation to provide for the enforcement of requirements with respect to such awardees. Permits the Corporation to suspend, reduce, or terminate financial assistance (with such termination only after consideration of other remedial measures and only after the employee has been afforded reasonable notice and opportunity for a timely, full, and fair hearing, to be conducted by an independent hearing examiner when requested), or deny an application for refunding (after affording the awardee an opportunity to correct the failure) when: (1) there has been a substantial failure to comply with applicable requirements; or (2) evaluations demonstrate that an awardee has consistently failed to provide economical and effective legal assistance. Authorizes the Corporation to deny an application for refunding when the Corporation has identified an applicant for financial assistance that is better able to provide comprehensive, economical, and effective legal assistance for the geographic area served by such awardee. Revises provisions concerning notice to awardees prior to the suspension or termination of assistance or the denial of a refunding application. Prohibits the annual level of assistance from being reduced by more than five percent or $20,000, whichever is less, unless the awardee has been afforded notice and, at the awardee's request, a timely and fair hearing. Sets forth Corporation monitoring requirements. Directs that standards and procedures adopted pursuant to such provision take into account: (1) the responsibility of the Corporation to provide for independent evaluations; (2) that each awardee has the responsibility to manage its day-to-day operations and to assure that its employees comply with all applicable law and deliver high quality legal assistance in an effective and economical manner; (3) that the personal privacy of eligible clients could be adversely affected by the public disclosure of records or documents obtained in connection with monitoring or investigation (and bars the Corporation from requiring disclosure of such records to the extent that they can be expected to contain information directly pertinent and necessary to an audit, or to an investigation of a likely pattern of discrimination, lack of compliance with the law, or poor performance by an awardee which is indicated by other external evidence); (4) the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, the privacy protections of State law, and the principle that matters and records that are personal or private and that relate to an individual employee should be protected from examination by the Corporation; and (5) the rules of ethics and professional responsibility that are applicable in the jurisdiction where an awardee delivers legal assistance. Requires the Corporation to develop criteria for evaluating the capability and performance of awardees. Specifies that the Inspector General of the Corporation shall not, in carrying out his or her functions, be subject to any restriction that: (1) is contained in the standards and procedures adopted by the Corporation under this provision; and (2) limits access by the Corporation to documents or other information. Directs the Corporation to require each grantee, contractor, or person or entity receiving financial assistance to provide for an independent annual financial audit and to submit the report of the audit to the Corporation. Bars the Corporation from selecting the auditor employed by such entity. Permits the Corporation to conduct its own audit or hire an independent auditor when necessary, with the costs to be borne by the Corporation. (Current law directs the Corporation to conduct, or require each such grantee, contractor, or person or entity to provide for, an annual financial audit.) Places restrictions on the bringing of a class action suit by an awardee with funds provided by the Corporation against the Federal Government or any State or local government. Requires awardees to adopt policies to attempt to negotiate settlements and to use alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, where appropriate, before filing suit. Prohibits the use of Corporation funds to alter, revise, or reapportion a legislative, judicial, or elective district at any level of government. Places restrictions on the use of Corporation funds for legal assistance for aliens. Revises requirements for governing bodies of grant or contract recipients to require a recipient's governing body to be comprised of (in the majority) attorneys who are appointed by State, county, or local bar associations the memberships of which represent a majority of the attorneys practicing law in the locality in which the recipient is to provide legal assistance. Sets forth requirements for governing or policy bodies of recipients and other awardees. Allows the governing body of a bar association to appoint members of the governing or policy bodies of more than one awardee of the Corporation. Makes technical and conforming changes with respect to the professional responsibilities of the Corporation and attorney employees of the Corporation. Specifies that neither the Corporation nor the Comptroller General shall have access to any reports or records protected from disclosure by the laws or rules of ethics or professional responsibility that apply in the jurisdiction where such reports or records are maintained. Requires the Corporation (with specified exceptions) to ensure that attorneys employed full-time in providing legal assistance supported in major part by the Corporation refrain from any: (1) outside practice of law in which the attorneys seek or receive compensation; and (2) uncompensated outside practice of law. (Current law bars attorneys employed full-time in legal assistance activities supported in major part by the Corporation from any compensated outside practice, and any uncompensated outside practice except as authorized in guidelines promulgated by the Corporation.) Prohibits the use of Corporation funds for initiating the defense of a person in a proceeding to evict such person from a public housing project if the person has been convicted of the illegal sale or distribution of a controlled substance and the proceeding has been brought by a public housing project agency because such person threatens the health or safety of other tenants or employees of such agency. Prohibits awardees (or employees) from engaging in precomplaint settlement negotiations, filing a complaint, or pursuing litigation against a defendant unless a written retainer agreement which enumerates the facts on which the claim is based has been signed by the plaintiffs. Specifies that, unless authorized by a court of competent jurisdiction, no awardee (or employee) may file a complaint or petition in a court until all plaintiffs known to plaintiff's counsel at the time have been specifically identified in the complaint or petition. Requires the Corporation to study, through the use of demonstration projects and other appropriate methods, the feasibility of utilizing a system of competition to improve the delivery of legal assistance and related activities. Sets forth reporting requirements. Specifies that a general restriction on training activities of the Corporation should not be construed to prohibit training of attorneys or paralegals as necessary to prepare them to advise any eligible client as to the nature of the legislative process, or to inform any such client of his or her rights under any statute, order, or regulation. Repeals a limitation on the use of non-Federal funds received by the Corporation. Directs the Corporation to require each awardee to maintain a system of time and recordkeeping that discloses the types of activities supported by Corporation and non-Corporation funds and allocates appropriate costs, including overhead, to activities funded by non-Corporation funds. Sets forth additional requirements regarding the specific type of system to be employed. Prohibits the use of alternative corporations to evade the provisions of this Act. Defines an "alternative corporation" as a group which has a single identity of interest with an awardee. Requires any awardee which shares employees with any other entity to specify with particularity the use of any funds by such employees. Directs the Corporation to ensure that all attorneys engaged in legal assistance activities supported by the Corporation refrain, while so engaged, from any political activity (current law) associated with a political party or the campaign of any candidate for public or party office. Requires grants and contracts made for calendar years 1993 through 1997 to be made for at least 12 months, except for any grant to a new program commencing operations after the beginning of the applicable calendar year. Sets forth provisions with respect to the establishment of local priorities and periodic analysis of the legal needs of clients in the area served by each such awardee. Revises the defintion of "staff attorney" to mean an attorney who: (1) is employed by a recipient organized in whole or in part for the provision of legal assistance to eligible clients under the Act; and (2) receives more than half of his or her annual professional salary from the proceeds of a grant or contract from the Corporation to such recipient. (Current law specifies an attorney who receives more than half of his annual professional income from a recipient organized solely for the provisions of legal assistance to eligible clients.) Directs the Corporation to conduct a study on legal assistance to older Americans.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1992
Export Enhancement Act of 1992 - Title I: Reauthorization of Export-Import Bank - Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to extend through FY 1997 the authority of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Bank) to finance the export of goods and services to foreign countries. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 through 1995 for the Tied Aid Credit Fund. Requires the Bank, among other things, when determining whether to provide support for exports under its loan, guarantee, and insurance program to consider the need to involve private capital. Authorizes the Bank to guarantee up to 100 percent coverage of the interest and principal of loans for exports if its Board of Directors determines the coverage to be necessary to ensure acceptance of Bank guarantees by U.S. financial institutions for any transaction in any export market in which the Bank is open for business. Directs the Bank, in transactions involving projects for which long-term support requested is $10 million or more and certain environmental concerns exist, to establish procedures to take into account the potential beneficial and adverse environmental effects of goods and services which it may support under its direct lending and guarantee programs. Authorizes the Board to withhold financing for environmental reasons or to approve financing after considering the potential environmental effects of a project. Encourages the Bank to use its programs to support the export of goods and services that have beneficial effects on the environment or mitigate potential adverse environmental effects. Provides for compensation of Bank employees. Redefines the term "Marxist-Leninist country" to mean any country which: (1) maintains a centrally planned economy based on the principles of "Marxism-Leninism"; or (2) is economically and militarily dependent on any other country which maintains a centrally planned economy based on the principles of "Marxism-Leninism." Requires fees and premiums charged to be commensurate with risks covered in connection with the contractual liability which the Bank incurs for guarantees, insurance, coinsurance, and reinsurance against political and credit risk of loss. (Currently, not less than 25 percent of such contractual liability may be charged against such risks of loss.) Increases the size of the Bank's Advisory Committee from 12 to 15 members. Increases the ceiling on the total amount of outstanding loans for Bank programs from $40 billion to $75 billion. Title II: Export Promotion - Directs the President to establish the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee (TPCC) to coordinate U.S. export promotion and financing activities. Requires the TPCC to develop a governmentwide strategic plan for Federal trade promotion efforts. Amends the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 to require the United States and Foreign Commercial Service to: (1) use its district and foreign offices as one-stop shops providing U.S. exporters with information on all Federal export promotion activities; and (2) provide information and assistance to U.S. exporters on all financing and insurance programs of the Bank. Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to require the Bank to: (1) provide full and current information on all of its programs and financing practices to the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service; and (2) undertake a training program for Service officers in Bank programs and practices. Amends the Export Enhancement Act of 1988 to increase from eight to 12 the number of missions that the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) may designate abroad and for which senior Commercial Service Officers will be able to use the diplomatic title of Minister-Counselor. Requires the Secretary to: (1) report annually to the Congress on the U.S. international economic position; and (2) appear annually before specified congressional committees to testify on issues addressed in the report. Amends the Export Administration Amendments Act of 1985 to authorize appropriations for FY 1993 and 1994 to the Department of Commerce.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1992
Amends the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 to require the Secretary of the Treasury, at the request of the Secretary of Commerce (current law) authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to request the Secretary of the Treasury: (1) to take necessary action to ensure the attainment of the objectives of the machine tool decision of the President on May 20, 1986, and on December 27, 1991; and (2) to enforce any imported machine tool quantitative limitations, restrictions, or other terms contained in related bilateral arrangements. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to enforce the quantitative limitations and other provisions of bilateral arrangements negotiated with Taiwan on December 31, 1991, pursuant to the President's machine tool decision of May 20, 1986, until bilateral agreements are negotiated with such countries pursuant to the President's December 27, 1991, decision.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1992
DES Education and Research Amendments of 1992 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish a program for the conduct and support of research and training, the dissemination of health information, and other measures with respect to the diagnosis and treatment of conditions associated with exposure to the drug diethylstilbestrol (DES). Mandates: (1) programs to educate health professionals and the public; and (2) longitudinal studies. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1992
World University Games Commemorative Coin Act of 1992 - Authorizes the minting and issuance of five-dollar gold coins and one-dollar silver coins (at no net cost to the Government) to commemorate American participation in the World University Games. Requires that all surcharges from the sale of such coins be paid to the Greater Buffalo Athletic Corporation to support amateur athletic programs, to erect facilities for the use of such athletes, and to underwrite the cost of sponsoring the World University Games.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1992
International Refugee Protection Act of 1992 - Reaffirms that the obligations of the United States under the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (Convention) apply to actions of the United States with respect to individuals outside U.S. territorial boundaries. Prohibits: (1) the United States from returning a national or habitual resident of a country who is outside the territorial boundaries of the United States or within the territorial waters of his or her country of residence or nationality to the territorial boundaries of such country; and (2) the expenditure of funds with respect to any such return unless the U.S. Government has determined that such an individual is not, due to a well-founded fear of persecution about returning to his or her country, a refugee under the Convention. Makes this Act inapplicable to an individual if: (1) such individual participated in the persecution of any person on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion; (2) there are serious reasons for considering that the individual has committed a serious nonpolitical crime; or (3) there are reasonable grounds for regarding the individual as a danger to U.S. security. Provides that this Act does not apply to nationals and habitual residents of a country at U.S. diplomatic and consular missions in that country.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1992
United States - China Act of 1992 - Prohibits the President from recommending for a 12-month period in 1993 continuation of a waiver of human rights and emigration requirements for nondiscriminatory treatment (most-favored-nation treatment) for China under the Trade Act of 1974 unless a specified report is submitted to the Congress stating that China has: (1) taken steps to adhere to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in China and Tibet and allowed the unrestricted emigration of Chinese citizens who desire to leave for reasons of political or religious persecution; (2) accounted for and released prisoners who dissented in Tiananmen Square on June 3, 1989; and (3) prevented the export to the United States of products manufactured by convict or forced labor. Requires such report to state whether China has made significant progress in: (1) ceasing religious persecution in China and Tibet and releasing religious leaders incarcerated as a result of the expression of their religious beliefs; (2) ceasing unfair trade practices against U.S. businesses, and providing them access to Chinese markets, including lowering tariffs, removing nontariff barriers, and increasing the purchase of U.S. goods and services; and (3) adhering to the Missile Control Technology Regime, the Nuclear Suppliers Group controls and the Australian Group on Chemical and Biological Arms controls. Requires the President, if he recommends such extension, to include in a specified document submitted to the Congress a report on China's compliance with the above-mentioned objectives. Grants nondiscriminatory treatment to products produced by nonstate-owned enterprises in China. Requires the President, if he decides not to seek such extension, to ensure that members of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade take similar action with respect to China.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1992
Medicare Enrollment Improvement and Protection Act of 1992 - Title I: Improving Enrollment - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services' annual notice to Medicare beneficiaries to inform certain low-income Medicare beneficiaries of the requirements to qualify for Medicaid (title XIX of the Social Security Act) payment of their premiums, deductibles, and copayments under Medicare and how to apply for such benefit. Requires the notice described above to be prepared in a manner suitable for posting and distributed to physicians, hospital offices, other medical facilities, and entities receiving grants from the Secretary for programs designed to provide services to individuals age 65 or older. Requires the Secretary to establish a toll-free telephone number for information about such benefit. Amends the Medicaid program to require the Secretary to develop a simplified form for applying for such benefit for processing at social security offices. Amends the Medicare program to mandate direct enrollment of part A (Hospital Insurance) eligibles by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to make grants to State agencies and organizations for the provision of outreach assistance to older individuals who may be eligible for such benefit. Authorizes appropriations to fund such grant program. Title II: Application of Other Medicaid Eligibility Rules - Amends the Medicaid program to permit retroactive payments of medical costs incurred by certain low-income Medicare beneficiaries in or after the third month before the month in which such an individual applied to have Medicaid cover such costs. Title III: Report - Directs the Secretary to submit reports to the Congress on Department activities to ensure enrollment and full implementation of the program under the Social Security Act for Medicaid payment of Medicare costs and the effectiveness of each such activity, along with any recommendations for appropriate legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1992
Local Exchange Infrastructure Modernization Act of 1992 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to exercise its authority to: (1) preserve and enhance universal telephone service at reasonable rates; (2) achieve universal availability of advanced network capabilities and information services; (3) assure a seamless nationwide distribution network through joint network planning, coordination, and service arrangements between and among local exchange carriers (LECs); (4) maintain high standards of quality for advanced network services; and (5) assure adequate communication for the public health, safety, defense, education, national security, and emergency preparedness. Defines "local exchange carrier" for purposes of such Act as a carrier that: (1) is required to provide upon request, under tariff or subject to other government oversight (by the FCC or a State commission), interstate and intrastate access services and telephone exchange service; (2) is, or was, a participant in one or more interstate pools established by the FCC, or would have been required to participate in one or more such pools had the carrier been engaged in interstate and intrastate access and telephone exchange service while such participation was mandatory; (3) is subject to the requirements imposed by the FCC or a State commission related to the provision of equal access; and (4) conforms with the provisions of the North American Numbering Plan applicable to the assignment of numbering resources for telephone exchange service, as defined by the Plan's Administrator. Requires the FCC to prescribe regulations that require: (1) joint coordinated network planning, design, and cooperative implementation among all LECs in the provision of public switched network infrastructure and services; (2) development of standards for interconnection between the LEC public switched network and others by appropriate standard-setting bodies; and (3) a LEC to share public switched network infrastructure and functionality with requesting LECs which serve a geographic area for which they lack economies of scale or scope for the particular required network functionality. Specifies that: (1) no LEC shall be prohibited from transporting or processing signalling and information for another LEC in adjoining or reasonably proximate serving areas upon request of that LEC to the same extent that the providing LEC is permitted to engage in such activities for itself; (2) nothing in such Act shall be construed to alter, limit, or supersede the authority of any State with respect to the regulation of intrastate communication service; and (3) nothing contained in Federal or State antitrust law shall render unlawful any action taken by a LEC or any individual or concerted action taken such as lobbying before the Congress, the FCC, or communicating by any means with other LECs, by any LEC, or its directors, officers, agents, employees, affiliates, subsidiaries, joint ventures, counsel, or other persons purporting to act on behalf of such carrier.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1992
Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to repeal the requirement that the Export-Import Bank include in its annual report to the Congress a statement assessing the impact of each loan made to foreign borrowers for the development of energy-related industries abroad on the availability of energy products, services, or supplies in the United States. Redefines the term "Marxist-Leninist country" to mean any country which: (1) maintains a centrally planned economy based on the principles of Marxism-Leninism; or (2) is economically and militarily dependent on any other country which maintains a centrally planned economy based on the principles of Marxism-Leninism. Repeals the Marxist-Leninist country list. Repeals the requirement that the President make a separate determination of U.S. national interest with respect to the Bank's financing transactions for the purchase of products by Marxist-Leninist countries in excess of $50,000,000. Repeals the requirement that the Bank notify the Congress of the details of all financing in support of exports of fossil fuel technology to the Soviet Union. Extends the Bank's authority (which would otherwise expire on or before September 30, 1992) to finance the sale of defense articles for anti-narcotics purposes to foreign countries. Repeals the requirement that the Secretary of State certify that any purchaser of U.S. exports in South Africa seeking Bank financing has proceeded to implement the so-called "Sullivan" principles regarding human rights. Repeals the prohibition against Bank financing of the export of goods and services to Angola. Increases the size of the Bank's Advisory Committee from 12 to 15 members. Increases the ceiling on the total amount of outstanding loans for Bank programs from $40,000,000,000 to $75,000,000,000. Requires fees and premiums charged to be commensurate with the risks covered in connection with the contractual liability which the Bank incurs for guarantees, insurance, coinsurance, and reinsurance against political and credit risks of loss. (Currently, not less than 25 percent of such contractual liability may be charged against such risks of loss.) Repeals provisions of the Act and of the Trade Act of 1974 limiting to $300,000,000 annually the amount of Bank loans, guarantees, or insurance for exports to the Soviet Union. Extends through FY 1998 the Bank's authority to provide financing for the export and import of goods and services between the United States and foreign countries. Repeals the requirement that in its annual report to the Congress the Bank detail actions it has taken to maintain the competitive position of key linkage industries in the United States. Repeals the requirement that the Comptroller General report to the Congress on the Bank's interest subsidy payment program. Extends the Tied Aid Credit Fund through FY 1994. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1992
Trade Act Amendments of 1992 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to require the following additional information in the President's annual report to the Congress on trade agreements and national trade policy agenda: (1) the operation of U.S. trade policies with respect to the international competitive positions of certain technologies identified by the National Critical Technologies Panel, U.S. industries developing and using such technologies, and any other U.S. industry considered vital to the national economy; (2) trade actions taken by the United States and foreign governments, including negotiations, discussions, agreements, duties, quotas, and legal action, which affect such U.S. industries and technologies; (3) whether such actions have positively or negatively affected such U.S. industries and technologies; (4) how U.S. trade strategies and actions increase the international competitiveness of such U.S. industries and technologies; and (5) trade strategies and actions of other nations which affect the international competitiveness of such U.S. industries and technologies.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1992
Considers a certain named individual to have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence upon payment of the required visa fee.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1992
Tax Extension Act of 1992 - Title I: Extension of Certain Expiring Tax Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend from August 1, 1992, until August 1, 1993, the provisions governing the allocation of research and experimental expenditures for purposes of determining sources of income. Extends the following provisions from June 30, 1992, until December 31, 1993: (1) the tax credit for increasing research activities; (2) the targeted jobs credit; (3) the authority to issue qualified mortgage bonds and qualified mortgage credit certificates; (4) the authority to issue qualified small issue bonds to finance manufactuiring facilities and farm property; (5) employer-provided educational assistance; (6) the tax exclusion for employer-provided group legal services plans; (7) the energy investment credit for solar and geothermal property; (8) the credit for clinical testing expenses for certain drugs for rare diseases or conditions; and (9) health insurance costs of self-employed individuals. Extends the low-income housing credit until December 31, 1993, with modifications. Expands the ten-year anti-churning rule waiver to certain projects substantially assisted, financed, or operated under the National Housing Act. Allows units occupied by certain full-time students to qualify for such credit. Authorizes the Treasury Department to waive penalties for certain de minimis errors and recertifications. Provides that certain community service facilities in projects in qualified census tracts are included in eligible basis as functionally related and subordinate facilities. Requires housing credit agencies, in determining whether the credit allocated to a building exceeds the amount necessary to assure the project's feasibility, to consider the reasonableness of total project costs and the appropriateness of amenities. Allows certain building owners to elect to use apartment size or family size in determining the credit's gross rent limitation. Provides for the tax treatment of resale price control and subsidy lien programs under mortgage revenue bond provisions. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the five-year occupancy requirement under the tax-exempt mortgage revenue bond program any two-family residence which: (1) is a targeted area residence; or (2) is located in an area designated as an economic development zone or enterprise zone by Federal or State law. Amends the Railroad Retirement Solvency Act of 1983 to extend, from October 1, 1992, until January 1, 1994, the authority to transfer income tax revenues attributable to the taxation of tier railroad retirement benefits to the railroad retirement account. Extends the termination date of the nonconventional source fuels credit for one year. Repeals the tax preference for the appreciated property charitable deduction during 1992 and 1993. Requires a report by the Secrretary of the Treasury to certain congressional committees on an advance valuation procedure. Title II: Repeal of Certain Luxury Excise Taxes; Imposition of Tax on Diesel Fuel Used in Noncommercial Boats - Repeals the luxury excise tax on boats, aircraft, jewelry, and furs. Provides an inflation adjustment for the threshold amount on which luxury vehicles are taxed. Terminates the luxury tax on passenger vehicles after December 31, 1999. Extends the diesel fuels excise tax to diesel fuel used in noncommercial boats. Exempts from such tax diesel fuel used for fisheries or commercial navigation. Retains diesel fuel taxes in the general Treasury (instead of the Highway Trust Fund and the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund).
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1992
Designates February 21 through February 27, 1993, as American Wine Appreciation Week. Commends the winegrape and fruit growers and vintners of the United States for the production of high quality agricultural products.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1992
Condemns the violence in South Africa. Urges the Government of South Africa to take steps to end the violence and protect all South Africans. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should prepare and transmit to the Senate a report on the nature of the violence in South Africa, the role that the various particpants are playing, and the impact of such violence on South Africa's transition to democracy.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1992
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the Government of Thailand should promptly restore respect for human rights and democratic rule by taking specified steps, including: an immediate cessation of the use of lethal force against unarmed pro-democracy demonstrators; lifting the State of Emergency; releasing all those detained for the peaceful expression of their views; allowing those detained since May 18, 1992 immediate access to attorneys, medical personnel, and international humanitarian organizations; declaring amnesty for all those facing criminal charges since the February 1991 military coup for peacefully expressing their views; and fulfilling its stated commitment to peaceful negotiations and elected rule; (2) the U.S. Government should suspend joint military exercises with Thailand; and (3) the Secretary of State should convey these recommendations to the Thai authorities at the highest level and confirm that no U.S. economic or military assistance will be provided until a duly elected government is fully installed and human rights are respected.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1992
Federal Housing Enterprises Regulatory Reform Act of 1992 - Sets forth congressional findings and definitions. Title I: Supervision and Regulation of the Enterprises - Establishes within the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, managed by a presidentially appointed Director, who shall ensure that the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) and the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) (the enterprises) are adequately capitalized and operating safely. Authorizes the Director to levy annual assessments on the enterprises for the estimated expenses of the Office, including an initial assessment to cover its start-up costs. Requires the Director to report annually to the Secretary of HUD and specified congressional committees. Requires each enterprise to report quarterly and annually to the Director on its financial condition and operations. Requires each enterprise to establish a minority outreach program to ensure inclusion in its contracts of minorities and women and businesses owned by them. Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to prohibit the Secretary from merging or consolidating the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, or any of its functions or responsibilities, with any function or program the Secretary administers. Prohibits the Director, and any former officer or employee of the Office who was compensated at certain levels higher than GS-15 while employed by the Office, from accepting compensation from any enterprise during the two years following separation from the Office. Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed: (1) as obligating the Federal Government, either directly or indirectly, to provide any funds to Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae, or to honor, reimburse, or otherwise guarantee any of their obligations or liabilities; or (2) as implying that either enterprise or its securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. Title II: Required Capital Levels for Enterprises and Special Enforcement Powers - Requires the Director to establish by regulation a risk-based capital test which shall require each enterprise to maintain positive capital during a ten-year period ("stress period") in which specified circumstances occur with respect to credit risk, interest rate risk, and new enterprise business. Declares that the risk-based capital level for an enterprise shall be 130 percent of the amount of capital required to meet the risk-based capital test. Requires the minimum capital level for each enterprise to be the sum of: (1) 2.5 percent of its aggregate on-balance sheet assets; (2) 0.45 percent of the unpaid principal balance of outstanding mortgage-backed securities and substantially equivalent instruments issued or guaranteed by it that are not included in (1); and (3) those percentages of other off-balance sheet obligations not included in (2) (excluding certain commitments), that best reflect the credit risk of such obligations or guarantees in relation to the instruments included in (2). Requires the critical capital level for each enterprise to be the sum of: (1) 1.25 percent of the aggregate on-balance sheet assets of the enterprise; (2) 0.25 percent of the unpaid principal balance of outstanding mortgage-backed securities and substantially equivalent instruments issued or guaranteed by it that are not included in (1); and (3) those percentages of other off-balance sheet obligations not included in (2) (excluding certain commitments), that best reflect the credit risk of such obligations or guarantees in relation to the instruments included in (2). Requires the Director to classify, on a quarterly basis, each enterprise as adequately capitalized (meeting or exceeding both its risk-based capital level and its minimum capital level), undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, or critically undercapitalized. Requires undercapitalized and significantly undercapitalized enterprises to submit capital restoration plans to the Director and, after approval, carry them out. Prohibits such enterprises from making any capital distribution that would result in a lower classification. Authorizes the Director, in the event an enterprise fails to submit a substantially compliant plan, win approval for a submitted plan, or make reasonable good-faith efforts to comply with an approved plan, to: (1) reclassify an undercapitalized enterprise as significantly undercapitalized, or a significantly undercapitalized enterprise as critically undercapitalized; and (2), with respect to significantly undercapitalized enterprises, limit increases in obligations, limit or prohibit asset growth, restrict certain activities, require new capital, and (in certain circumstances) appoint a conservator. Requires the Director to appoint a conservator for a critically undercapitalized enterprise, unless the public interest would be better served by some other enforcement action. Sets forth the contents of capital restoration plans. Requires written notification of an enterprise before any proposed capital classification may be made or discretionary enforcement action taken. Provides for judicial review of certain classifications or supervisory enforcement actions by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Requires the Director, for each enterpise, to contract with two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations: (1) to assess and rate, as a traditional credit rating, the likelihood that the enterprise will be unable to meet its obligations from its own resources with an assumption that there is no recourse to any implicit Government guarantee; and (2) to review the enterprise's rating as frequently as appropriate, but at least annually. Requires submission of comments to specified congressional committees on any difference between the Office's evaluation and the evaluation of the rating organizations, especially about capital adequacy. Requires the Director to define by regulation the meaning of "capital," excluding any amounts that an enterprise could be required to pay, at the option of investors, to retire capital instruments. Title III: Enforcement Actions - Sets forth general procedures for: (1) issuing temporary and permanent cease-and-desist orders against enterprises; (2) hearings; (3) judicial review; (4) civil money penalties; (5) notice after separation from service; (6) private rights of action; and (7) public disclosure of final orders and agreements. Title IV: Conservatorship - Provides a procedure for the appointment of a conservator, judicial review of such appointment, and termination of a conservatorship. Specifies the powers of a conservator, and provides for errors or omissions liability protection. Title V: Housing - Requires the Director to establish specified housing goals for each enterprise, including goals for purchase of mortgages on housing for low- and moderate-income families, and on housing located in underserved areas (both urban and rural). Requires an annual special affordable housing goal that is not less than one percent of the dollar amount of the mortgage purchases by the enterprise for the previous year. Sets forth factors to be applied in establishing such goals. Requires the Director to establish guidelines to measure the extent of compliance with housing goals established under this title. Requires each enterprise to collect and provide to the Director, in useful form, data relating to both its single family and multifamily housing mortgages, including certain information and annual reports to the Director and the Congress. Requires the Director to include in the annual report to specified congressional committees an evaluation of the extent to which each enterprise is achieving annual goals and general purposes. Requires the Director to monitor and enforce compliance with such goals, filing goal failure notices and requiring (of noncompliant enterprise) submission of housing plans. Prescribes deadlines for approval or disapproval of such housing plans. Requires each enterprise to appoint an Affordable Housing Advisory Council to advise it on possible methods to promote affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families. Amends the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act to: (1) make it a purpose of such Acts to promote access to mortgage credit throughout the Nation (including central cities and rural areas) by increasing the liquidity of mortgage investments, including facilitating credit secured by mortgages to secondary market participants, and improving the distribution of investment capital available for residential mortgage financing; (2) indicate that each of their respective public purposes relates to both single-family and multifamily housing; and (3) require that at least one presidentially appointed member of each enterprise's board of directors has demonstrated a career commitment to the provision of low-income housing. Directs the Secretary, by regulation, to impose on the enterprises specified fair housing requirements and prohibitions. Prohibits the public disclosure of proprietary information. Title VI: Amendments to Charter Acts of Enterprises - Makes conforming amendments to the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act. Title VII: Regulation of Federal Home Loan Bank System - Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to declare that the primary duty of the Federal Housing Finance Board is to ensure that the Federal Home Loan Banks operate in a financially safe and sound manner. Requires the Federal Housing Finance Board, the Comptroller General of the United States, the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, and the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on specified aspects of the Federal Home Loan Bank System. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury and certain Federal agencies to submit opinions to the Congress to the extent that their views differ from those of the study participants. Requires the Board of Directors of each Federal Home Loan Bank to submit to the Congress its evaluation of the costs and benefits of consolidating the Federal Home Loan Bank System. Requires the Federal Home Loan Banks to set up a Study Committee to study and report to specified congressional committees, the Federal Housing Finance Board, and the presidents of the Federal Home Loan Banks on the same topics covered by the above study, as well as the costs and benefits of consolidating the System. Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to require all Board directors to serve on a full-time basis beginning January 1, 1994. Title VIII: Study of National Consumer Cooperative Bank - Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to specified congressional committees on: (1) the extent to which the National Consumer Cooperative Bank has achieved its statutory purposes under the National Consumer Cooperative Bank Act; and (2) the financial safety and soundness of the activities of the Bank and its affiliates. Specifies items the study must cover. Title IX: Miscellaneous - Subtitle A: Miscellaneous - Directs the Comptroller General, the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, and the Secretary of the Treasury to study and report to specified congressional committees on the desirability and feasibility of eliminating Federal sponsorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to allow 500 low-rent housing assistance (section 8) certificates earmarked for use in the Park Central New Town in Town project (in Port Arthur, Texas) to be available for use generally in Jefferson County, Texas. Amends the Cranston-Gonzales Affordable Housing Act to authorize assistance to all non-profit organizations, including municipal and State-owned or -sponsored organizations (currently only private ones), to expand the supply of supportive housing for persons with disabilities (Shelter Plus Care program). Amends the Competitive Equality Banking Act of 1987 to apply only to home purchase and other consumer loans the maximum interest rate cap for adjustable rate mortgage loans. Amends a section of the Revised Statutes (National Bank Act) and the Federal Reserve Act to permit national banks and State member banks to make investments in community development projects or an entity primarily engaged in such investments. Requires the Comptroller General or the Federal Reserve Board, as appropriate, to limit the investment in any one project. Limits the aggregate investment of a bank to the sum of ten percent of its paid-in, unimpaired stock plus ten percent of its unimpaired surplus. Subtitle B: Presidential Insurance Commission - Presidential Insurance Commission Act of 1992 - Establishes a Presidential Commission on Insurance to: (1) assess the condition of the property and casualty insurance, life insurance, health insurance, and reinsurance industries; and (2) recommend any necessary legislative and regulatory changes that will improve the domestic and international financial health and competitiveness of such industries, and thereby assure consumers of the availability of adequate insurance coverage when an insured event occurs, and of the best possible range of products at competitive prices. Requires a report to the President and the Congress by a specified deadline. Terminates the Commission 60 days after submission of the report. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Secondary Market for Commerical Mortgage Loans - Secondary Market for Commercial Real Estate Mortgage Loans Act of 1992 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, and the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission to study and report to specified congressional committees on the potential benefits of, and legal, regulatory, and market-based barriers to, developing a secondary market for commercial real estate mortgage loans. Directs the chief executive officer of the Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC) to study and report to the Congress on: (1) the RTC's efforts to standardize its disposition methods; (2) its success in marketing its commercial mortgage loan-backed securities; (3) the impact of its programs on the commercial real estate mortgage loan secondary market; and (4) the impact of its commercial real estate loan securitization program generally.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1992
Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue a specified number of one-dollar silver coins to commemorate the heroic service of veterans who served during the Vietnam War and the 10th anniversary of the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Sets forth certain features of such coins and provides for their design, issuance, and sale. Requires that all sales include a surcharge of $7 per coin. Requires that all surcharges be paid to the Vietnam Veterans Assistance Fund for specified veteran programs and services.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1992
Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1992 - Authorizes appropriations for the Coast Guard for: (1) operation and maintenance; (2) acquisition, construction, rebuilding, and improvement of aids to navigation, shore and offshore facilities, vessels, and aircraft; (3) research, development, test, and evaluation; (4) retirement pay and benefits; (5) alteration or removal of bridges; and (6) environmental compliance and restoration. Authorizes the Coast Guard end-of-year strength for active duty personnel and the average military training student loads. Amends Federal law to authorize denial or revocation of a trade or recreational endorsement on a certificate of documentation if the vessel's owner has not paid an assessment of a civil penalty after final agency action. Makes the vessel and its equipment liable to seizure and forfeiture if it is operated after denial or revocation. Authorizes designation of a limited percentage of officers of an armed force in the pay grade of O-6 or below (currently, grades O-3 through O-6) as having unusual responsibility, resulting in additional pay. Subjects foreign vessels certified by countries with inspection laws similar to those of the United States to (currently, only to) an inspection to ensure that the condition of the vessel is (currently, the condition of the vessel's propulsion and lifesaving equipment are) as stated in its certificate. Prohibits a foreign vessel (currently, a foreign or domestic vessel of more than a specified size) from departing from a U.S. port with passengers who embarked at that port if the vessel does not comply with the standards stated in the Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea. Requires that, when an inspection or examination of a documented or foreign vessel (currently, of a documented vessel) is conducted under part B (currently, under chapter 33) at a foreign place at the request of the owner or operator of the vessel, the owner or operator reimburse the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating for the travel and subsistence of the personnel involved. (Chapter 33 (Inspection Generally) is one of the chapters in Part B (Inspection and Regulation of Vessels).) Modifies the applicable period and other requirements regarding a recreational boat fee. Requires common carriers and conferences to file electronically with the Federal Maritime Commission all tariffs and essential terms of service contracts required to be filed by specified provisions of the Shipping Act, 1916 and the Intercoastal Shipping Act, 1933. Requires the Commission to: (1) make available electronically to any person all tariff information and essential terms of service contracts filed in the Automated Tariff Filing and Information System database and all tariff information in the System enhanced electronically by the Commission at any time; and (2) charge fees for such access and copies. Exempts Federal agencies from such fees. Provides for civil monetary penalties for failure to pay the fees. Sets forth procedures for implementation of automatic filing, including directing the Secretary of the Treasury to make available a specified sum as a repayable advance, to be repaid from the fees collected. Deposits fees, after repayment of that advance, in the general fund of the Treasury as offsetting receipts.
![Official portrait of Sen. Riegle, Donald W., Jr. [D-MI]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/r000249_200.jpg)