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United States · Official source
4,275 records where Sen. Sarbanes, Paul S. [D-MD] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1993
Congratulates the Anti-Defamation League as it celebrates its 80th anniversary in 1993 and commends it for effectively pursuing the goal of promoting greater tolerance among people throughout the world.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1993
Designates September 9, 1993, and April 21, 1994, as National DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Day.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Leadership for Technology in Education Title II: School Technology Support Title III: Information Dissemination, Technology Training and Technical Assistance Title IV: Educational Technology Product Development, Production, and Distribution Title V: Educational Technology Research, Development and Assessment Title VI: Miscellaneous Technology for Education Act of 1993 - Title I: Leadership for Technology in Education - Amends the Department of Education Organization Act to establish an Office of Educational Technology, to be administered by an Assistant Secretary for Educational Technology (Assistant Secretary). Authorizes appropriations. Establishes the National Commission on Technology in Education to advise the President and the Congress on appropriate national educational technology standards, technology-enhanced curriculum, instruction, and administrative resources and services for educational institutions. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: School Technology Support - Directs the Assistant Secretary to award grants to State educational agencies (SEAs) to develop systemic statewide plans to infuse modern technologies into educational programs to enhance student learning and staff development in support of the National Education Goals and State academic standards. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the General Education Provisions Act to direct the Assistant Secretary to establish a Division of Elementary and Secondary School Library Media Services within the Office. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Assistant Secretary to award grants to SEAs with approved plans to provide assistance to local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools having highest percentages of children in poverty and showing the greatest need for technology to purchase quality technology related equipment, technology-enhanced curriculum, instruction, and administrative support resources and services. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for guaranteed, insured, or reinsured loans to SEAs and LEAs to obtain resources for distance learning, computer networks and other technology-enhanced curriculum, instruction, and administrative support resources and services. Directs the Assistant Secretary and National Commission to compile and disseminate information on various successful models of integrating technology into education to assist SEAs, LEAs, and schools in developing systemic reform initiatives. Title III: Information Dissemination, Technology Training and Technical Assistance - Directs the Assistant Secretary, in cooperation with various government entities, to establish an electronic network for dissemination of educational information throughout the United States. Authorizes the Assistant Secretary to make competitive grants to regional educational technology assistance consortia to provide technical assistance, information resource management, staff development, and resource development. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Educational Technology Product Development, Production, and Distribution - Directs the Secretary of Education to ensure that a high priority is placed on funding projects that use technology-enhanced curricula, instruction, and administrative support resources and services, in making competitive awards of funds under any Federal education program. Technology for the Classroom Act of 1993 - Directs the Assistant Secretary to award competitive grants to eligible consortia to develop computer-based instructional programs or technology-enhanced systems for complete courses or units of study for a specific subject and grade level, if these are commercially unavailable in the local area. Requires each grantee to provide closed captioning, where appropriate. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Assistant Secretary to make grants to or contracts with eligible educational telecommunications partnerships to pay the Federal share of the cost of research, production, and distribution of instructional programming for students and staff development programming for teachers. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Star Schools Program Assistance Act to extend the authorization of appropriations for the Star Schools Program. Revises provisions for duration and amount of grants. Title V: Educational Technology Research, Development and Assessment - Authorizes the Assistant Secretary, in cooperation with various Federal entities, to support research on advanced learning technologies. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Assistant Secretary to make the following types of grants related to high performance educational computing and telecommunications networks: (1) requirements grants; (2) specifications grants; and (3) prototype development grants. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Assistant Secretary, through the Office, to: (1) conduct an annual assessment of the uses of technology in State and local educational programs; and (2) award grants for research on effectiveness of technology-enhanced education programs. Authorizes appropriations. Title VI: Miscellaneous - Directs the Assistant Secretary to study to evaluate, and report to the Congress on, the feasibility of several alternative models for providing systemic funding for schools throughout the Nation so they can acquire and maintain technology-enhanced curriculum, instruction, and administrative support resources and services. Provides for participation of private school children under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1993
Requires the Internal Revenue Service to provide the same relief for distributions received in 1990 under a governmental plan that were erroneously treated as eligible for rollover treatment as is being provided for such distributions received in 1987, 1988, and 1989.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1993
Designates October 25 through 31, 1993, as National Child Safety Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1993
National Mentor Corps Act of 1993 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Act of 1965 to include intergenerational mentoring programs among innovative projects which are local targeted assistance programs. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make a grant to or contract with one organization to establish and operate the National Resource Center for Intergenerational Mentoring.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1993
Shipbuilding Trade Reform Act of 1993 - Requires the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to establish a list of foreign countries that provide direct or indirect subsidies for the construction or repair of vessels. Authorizes a party to commence an action in the U.S. Court of International Trade contesting any determination with respect to a country's listing. Imposes penalties upon a country for: (1) providing false information with respect to a subsidy investigation; (2) renewing such subsidies; or (3) failing to eliminate such subsidies. Requires the United States in any negotiations with a foreign country for the elimination of subsidies for the construction or repair of vessels to be conducted in full consultation with affected U.S. industries. Requires the Secretary to: (1) monitor the compliance of each foreign country that is a party to any agreement; and (2) place a foreign country on the subsidizing country list if it is in noncompliance with such agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1993
Designates October 1993 as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: National Environmental Technology Panel Title II: National Environmental Technologies Institute; Clearinghouse Subtitle A: National Environmental Technologies Institute Subtitle B: Environmental Technology Clearinghouse Title III: Environmental Innovation Research Program; Technology Testing Subtitle A: Environmental Innovation Research Program Subtitle B: Innovative Technology Testing Title IV: Additional Programs Subtitle A: Verification of Environmental Technologies Program Subtitle B: Environmental Technology Advisory Council Subtitle C: Coordination With National Institute of Standards and Technology National Environmental Technology Act of 1993 - Title I: National Environmental Technology Panel - Establishes a National Environmental Technology Panel within the Office of Science and Technology Policy to coordinate Federal environmental technology programs and develop a national environmental technology strategy. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to: (1) consider all Federal agency requests for environmental technology research as one integrated multiagency request; and (2) review the Panel budget summary prior to submission of the President's annual budget request. Title II: National Environmental Technologies Institute; Clearinghouse - Subtitle A: National Environmental Technologies Institute - Establishes the National Environmental Technologies Institute within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) support products oriented research, development, and demonstration of environmental technology at the precommercial stage; (2) monitor and provide technical assistance to private research and development; (3) develop and transfer environmental technologies and mechanisms to address international environmental problems; (4) develop a clearinghouse on environmental technology; (5) advise Federal officials on programs for promoting the development and diffusion of environmental technology; (6) ensure the availability of an initial market for critical environmental technologies; and (7) make recommendations for changes in Federal procurement guidelines to ensure the availability of such market. Authorizes cooperative agreements and assistance to carry out such functions. Establishes the Environmental Advanced Research Projects Revolving Fund to assist entities that serve the U.S. environmental security needs in carrying out this subtitle. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Institute Director to disseminate information for promoting the export of environmental technology through the clearinghouse established under this title. Subtitle B: Environmental Technology Clearinghouse - Directs the EPA Administrator to establish an electronic database to serve as a clearinghouse for the dissemination of nonproprietary information on environmental technology. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Environmental Innovation Research Program; Technology Testing - Subtitle A: Environmental Innovation Research Program - Requires the heads of covered Federal agencies (agencies for which more than $50 million per fiscal year is made available for environmental cleanup) to establish research programs for the commercialization of environmental technology to further the process of cleanup or pollution prevention activities. Directs agencies to set aside funding for such programs. Sets forth program phases and authorizes agreements with private entities to carry out research. Subtitle B: Innovative Technology Testing - Directs the Administrator to establish a program for testing environmental technology at federally owned facilities and sites on the National Priorities List (under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980) and on the inventory of Federal agency hazardous waste facilities (under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976). Requires covered Federal agencies to incorporate demonstrated technologies in prevention or remediation of contamination at applicable sites. Title IV: Additional Programs - Subtitle A: Verification of Environmental Technologies - Directs the Administrator to establish a program to verify and disseminate performance and cost information on environmental technologies appropriate for compliance with regulations promulgated under Federal environmental laws. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Environmental Technology Advisory Council - Establishes the Environmental Technology Advisory Council. Subtitle C: Coordination with National Institute of Standards and Technology - Directs the Administrator and the Secretary of Commerce to enter into agreements to permit EPA to provide technical assistance to the Manufacturing Technology Centers administered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1993
Toxic Cleanup Equity Act of 1993 - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to absolve municipalities or other persons of liability (other than to the President) for claims of contribution or other response costs for the generation, transportation, or arrangement for the transportation, treatment, or disposal of municipal solid waste or sewage sludge. Authorizes eligible persons or municipalities (defined as persons or municipalities against whom administrative or judicial actions are brought, or to whom notice is given of potential liability, for activities involving municipal solid waste or sewage sludge) to settle their liability with the President. Requires final settlements with eligible persons to: (1) allocate to all activities for the management of municipal solid waste or sewage sludge a combined maximum of four percent of the total response costs for the facility; (2) require eligible persons to pay only equitable shares of the maximum percentage; (3) limit payments based on inability to pay, litigative risks, and other equitable factors; (4) permit in-kind services with regard to response actions in lieu of cash contributions; (5) limit a publicly owned treatment works' payments if it has promoted the reuse of sewage sludge through land application; and (6) be reached even if a person is liable under other CERCLA provisions. Authorizes the President to provide a covenant not to sue to persons who have entered into settlements. Absolves such persons of liability for contributions or other response costs for matters addressed in settlements. Reduces others' potential liability by the amount of a settlement, but bars discharging potentially responsible parties unless the settlement so provides. Applies settlement provisions applicable to eligible persons to future disposal practices of municipalities or treatment works if specified conditions are met. Requires final settlements with eligible municipalities to conform to specified criteria, including: (1) public interest factors; (2) consideration of ability to pay; and (3) in-kind services in lieu of cash contributions. Makes this Act retroactively effective to all actions commenced before this Act's effective date unless a final court judgment or approval of a settlement agreement has been granted.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1993
Endangered Species Act Amendments of 1993 - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to establish an independent peer review process with respect to listing and delisting of endangered and threatened species (species). Directs the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) in cooperation with the affected State to develop species recovery plans. Gives priority to multispecies plans and sets forth plan deadlines. Requires each Federal land management agency to identify species and appropriate conservation measures on lands under its jurisdiction. Authorizes agency contracts with the Secretary for such purposes. Directs the Secretary to establish a Habitat Conservation Planning Fund. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants or interest-free advances from the Fund to State and local governments for conservation plan development. Provides financial and technical assistance to private landowners for species conservation measures. Provides for increased international cooperation and enforcement under the Convention on Nature Protection and Wildlife Preservation in the Western Hemisphere and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1993
Designates July 1, 1993, as National NYSP (National Youth Sports Program) Day.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1993
Designates October 1993 as Polish-American Heritage Month.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1993
Calls upon the Government of the Russian Federation to continue to remove its troops from the independent Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania through a firm, expeditious, and conscientiously observed schedule.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1993
New Columbia Admission Act - Declares the State of New Columbia (presently, the District of Columbia) to be a State of the United States of America. Admits New Columbia into the Union on an equal footing with the other States in all respects. Reserves Federal title to certain lands and property in the National Capital Service Area. Directs the Governor to report to the Congress each fiscal year on the effects on the revenues and expenditures of the State because of the presence of the Federal Government's seat within or adjacent to it. Prohibits the State from changing any provision of its Constitution concerning height limitations on buildings without the consent of the Congress. Declares that nothing in this Act or the Constitution or laws of the State may be construed to permit it to refuse to allow an individual to serve as a qualified registered elector of the State solely because the individual resides in the National Capital Service Area. Sets forth election protocol for popular ratification of statehood. Provides for election of one member of the House of Representatives as well as two Senators. Maintains the laws that were territorially in effect. Continues any lawsuits already pending in District of Columbia courts. Establishes a Statehood Transition Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1993
Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to reauthorize and revise the program for instruction on the history and principles of democracy in the United States. Requires the program to foster civic responsibility and continue and expand the educational activities of the We the People...The Citizen and the Constitution program. Allows the use of funds for advanced training of teachers in civics and government, after the education program has been implemented. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1993
National Wildlife Refuge System Management and Policy Act of 1993 - Amends the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) from initiating or permitting a new use of a refuge or expanding or extending an existing use unless it is compatible with the purposes of the System and the refuge. Allows existing uses of such refuge system lands that have been determined to be compatible under this Act or the Refuge Recreation Act to continue under specified conditions. Ceases such use and requires revocation of any permits for it within five years after the enactment of this Act unless the Secretary determines that such use is compatible. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to establish and maintain a formal process for determinations of compatibility. Directs the Secretary to prepare and periodically revise: (1) a comprehensive plan for the System; and (2) a comprehensive conservation plan for each refuge or ecologically related complex of refuges in the System, except those in Alaska. Grants the Secretary emergency power to suspend any activity in any refuge in the National Wildlife Refuge System if such activity constitutes an imminent danger to the health and safety of any wildlife population, refuge, or to public health and safety. Authorizes appropriations
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1993
United States-China Act of 1993 - Prohibits the President from recommending for a 12-month period in 1994 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 the President reports to the Congress 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 4, 1989, and other citizens detained for the nonviolent expression of their political beliefs or the exercise of internationally guaranteed rights of freedom of speech, association, and assembly; 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 financial and other incentives to encourage non-Tibetans to relocate in Tibet; (3) ceasing unfair trade practices which restrict American business; (4) providing U.S. exporters fair access to Chinese markets, including lowering tariffs, removing nontariff barriers, and increasing the purchase of U.S. goods and services; (5) adhering to the Missile Control Technology Regime, the Nuclear Suppliers Group controls and the Australian Group on Chemical and Biological Arms controls; (6) adhering to the Joint Declaration on Hong Kong; (7) accounting for U.S. military personnel listed as prisoners of war or missing in action with respect to the Korean and Vietnam conflicts; (8) ceasing the jamming of Voice of America broadcasts; and (9) providing humanitarian groups access to prisoners and places of detention. Requires the President, if he recommends such extension, to report on the extent of China's compliance with the above-mentioned objectives. Grants nondiscriminatory treatment to products produced by nonstate-owned enterprises in China. Declares that despite China's entry into the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) its most-favored-nation treatment status shall be governed by the Trade Act of 1974. Requires the President, if he decides not to seek such extension, to ensure that members of the GATT take similar action with respect to China.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1993
Designates the week beginning February 6, 1994, as Lincoln Legacy Week.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1993
Arson Prevention Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to direct the Administrator of the United States Fire Administration, through the Office of Fire Prevention and Arson Control, to carry out a demonstration program to provide two-year grants to States for programs relating to arson research, prevention, and control. Sets forth State funding requirements and provides for additional renewal periods for such grants. Authorizes appropriations, including appropriations for the expansion of arson investigator training programs at the National Fire Academy and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center or through regional delivery sites.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1993
Authorizes the President to designate the last Friday of April 1993 and 1994 as National Arbor Day.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Amendments to the Fair Credit Reporting Act Title II: Credit Repair Organizations Consumer Reporting Reform Act of 1993 - Title I: Amendments to the Fair Credit Reporting Act - Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act (the Act) to specify that the term "credit or insurance (credit) transaction which is not initiated by the consumer" does not include use of a consumer report (CR) by a person with which the consumer has an account for purposes of reviewing or collecting the account. Allows the furnishing of a CR for: (1) a legitimate business need in connection with a business transaction that is initiated by the consumer or is a direct marketing transaction for which the furnishing of a report is not prohibited by provisions enacted by this Act; and (2) employment purposes only if certain disclosures are made, the employee or prospective employee consents, and the information will not be used in violation of any Federal or State equal employment opportunity law or regulation. Prohibits: (1) using or obtaining information from a CR unless it is obtained for an authorized purpose and the purpose is certified under certain provisions of the Act; and (2) a consumer reporting agency (CRA) from prohibiting a CR user from disclosing the CR to the consumer if adverse action against the consumer is contemplated. Sets forth restrictions regarding the furnishing of a CR: (1) in connection with a solicitation for credit that is not initiated by the consumer; and (2) for use in direct marketing not initiated by the consumer. Requires CRAs: (1) to maintain a notification system, including a toll-free telephone number, which permits any consumer to elect to be excluded from lists provided in connection with solicitations of credit not initiated by the consumer; and (2) with nationwide files to maintain a notification system jointly with other such CRAs. Removes exceptions to prohibitions on reporting obsolete information. (Current law prohibits reporting information which is over a specified number of years old, except for credit transactions, life insurance, or employment involving amounts over specified limits.) Regulates the beginning of the seven-year reporting period for certain types of information. Prohibits including in a CR any adverse information that is more than ten years old or that could not be included in any CR in accordance with specified provisions. Requires CRAs to: (1) include information it has received that an account was voluntarily closed by the consumer; (2) accept from a consumer and include in the consumer's file relevant and timely information that is not in computerized form if the information would have a positive impact on a determination of credit worthiness and is submitted in compliance with Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations; and (3) notify regular information suppliers of the suppliers' responsibilities under the Act. Prohibits a person who procures a CR from reselling the information unless the identity of the end user and the purpose is disclosed to the CRA. Requires a CRA to: (1) disclose to a consumer all information in the consumer's file, certain information about the recipients of a CR, a record of inquiries in the last year that identified the consumer in connection with a credit transaction which is not initiated by the consumer, and with any such disclosures, a summary of the consumer's rights under the Act; and (2) unless the dispute is frivolous or irrelevant, reinvestigate disputed information free of charge, notify the information furnisher, delete inaccurate or unverifiable information, and notify the consumer of the results of the reinvestigation. Regulates charges by CRAs for certain disclosures. Requires any person who takes an adverse action with respect to a consumer in connection with credit, employment, specified licenses or benefits, or any business transaction involving the consumer to notify the consumer, disclose the identity of the CRA furnishing the report, advise the consumer of certain rights, and give certain information on any credit scoring system used. Subjects any person (currently, any CRA or user of information) to civil liability for willful or negligent noncompliance with the Act. Sets forth duties of furnishers of information to CRAs, including a prohibition on furnishing information which the furnisher knows or should know is incomplete or inaccurate. Authorizes: (1) the chief law enforcement officer of a State to bring an action to restrain a violation of the Act, recover amounts, seek remedies as allowed under State laws, and collect a civil monetary penalty; and (2) the FTC to use all its functions and powers under the Federal Trade Commission Act (FTCA) to enforce the Act. Requires each CRA which compiles and maintains consumer reports nationwide to maintain a toll-free telephone number. Title II: Credit Repair Organizations - Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to provide that specified provisions of that Act may be cited as the Credit Repair Organizations Act. Prohibits credit repair organizations (CROs) from taking certain actions, including: (1) charging or receiving any valuable consideration for any service before the service is fully performed; (2) advising any consumer to make an untrue or misleading statement; (3) advising any consumer to alter the consumer's identification to prevent the display of the consumer's credit record; or (4) other fraud or deception. Specifies a statement which a CRO must provide to consumers before an agreement is executed regarding the consumer, the CRO, and related rights, powers, and obligations. Requires written, signed contracts covering specified matters in order for a CRO to provide services. Allows a consumer to cancel a contract with a CRO within three business days of making the contract. Declares void any consumer waiver of any protection under this title. Makes an attempt to obtain a waiver a violation of this title. Voids any contract not in compliance with this title. Provides for civil liability for CRAs failing to comply with this title, including allowing punitive damages and class actions. Requires enforcement of this title under the FTCA by the FTC. Makes: (1) a violation of this title an unfair or deceptive act or practice in violation of specified provisions of the FTCA; and (2) all functions and powers of the FTC available for enforcement of this title. Allows State enforcement through Federal or State courts.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1993
King Holiday and Service Act of 1993 - Amends Federal law to: (1) authorize appropriations for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday Commission; (2) extend the Commission; and (3) revise its membership. Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to authorize the Commission to make grants to eligible entities to carry out service opportunities on Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Simplified Distribution Rules Title II: Increased Access to Pension Plans Title III: Nondiscrimination Provisions Title IV: Miscellaneous Simplification Pension Simplification Act of 1993 - Title I: Simplified Distribution Rules - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal: (1) the $5,000 limitation on the exclusion of employees' death benefits; and (2) the five-year forward income averaging for lump-sum distributions. Establishes a method of taxing annuity payments by taking into account the investment in the contract and the number of anticipated payments. Title II: Increased Access to Pension Plans - Modifies certain simplified employee pensions with respect to allowable participants and participation requirements. Allows local governments and tax-exempt organizations to participate in cash or deferred arrangements. Authorizes the Secretary, as a condition of sponsorship, to prescribe rules defining the duties and responsibilities of certain master and prototype retirement plans. Title III: Nondiscrimination Provisions - Redefines the term "highly compensated employee" for pension, profit sharing, stock bonus plan, etc. purposes. Makes such an employee one who is a five-percent owner or who has compensation from the employer in excess of $50,000. Provides a special rule where no employees are treated as highly compensated. Provides alternative methods of satisfying the special nondiscrimination requirements applicable to elective deferrals and employer matching contributions. Modifies the two-part nondiscrimination test for elective contributions under cash or deferred arrangements by permitting the use of the average deferral percentage for nonhighly compensated employees for the preceding year to be used in determining the permitted average deferral percentage for highly compensated employees for the current year. Title IV: Miscellaneous Simplification - Revises the definition of a leased employee to mean one whose services are performed under the control of a service recipient, instead of one whose services are historically performed by employees. Provides that the cost-of-living adjustment with respect to any calendar year is based on the increase in the applicable index as of the close of the calendar quarter ending September of the preceding calendar year. Requires the rounding of such amounts. Establishes a contribution limit for owner-employees of retirement plans. Eliminates the special vesting rule for multiemployer plans. Permits certain employers to elect an alternative full funding limitation with respect to any defined benefit plan based solely on the accrued liability under such plan. Requires the Secretary to adjust the 150-percent current liability full funding limit for other plans if there is a revenue shortfall. Allows rural cooperative plans which include cash or deferred arrangements to make distributions to participants after attainment of age 59 1/2. Modifies the treatment of governmental plans with respect to limits on contributions and benefits. Makes the social security retirement age the uniform retirement age for purposes of discrimination testing. Makes uniform the penalty provisions applicable to certain pension reporting requirements. Defines affiliated employers for Treasury regulation purposes with respect to tax-exemption. Treats certain nonunion air pilots as a separate class of employees for nondiscrimination testing purposes. Provides special rules for distributions of deferred compensation plans of State and local governments and tax-exempt organizations. Provides that, for purposes of the excise tax, an employer reversion does not include certain amounts paid to the Federal Government by reason of certain government contracting regulations. Requires continuation of health coverage for employees, including retired employees of failed financial institutions. Declares that the health care continuation plan maintained by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation on June 25, 1992, and any other substantially similar plan maintained by such Corporation, satisfies continuation coverage requirements. Establishes the National Commission on Private Pension Plans to report to the President and congressional leaders on a review of existing Federal incentives and programs that encourage and protect private retirement savings. Requires the report to make recommendations for increasing the level and security of private retirement savings.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Lead Abatement Title II: Miscellaneous Title III: Authorization of Appropriations Lead Exposure Reduction Act of 1993 - Title I: Lead Abatement - Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to prohibit the importing, manufacturing, processing, or distribution in commerce of certain products containing more than a specified percentage of lead. Directs the Administrator to: (1) ban the manufacture, importation, processing, sale, and distribution in commerce of lead solders commonly used in plumbing systems; and (2) restrict the sale and display of lead solders not commonly used in such systems. Prohibits the sale or distribution in commerce of packaging or products if they include any additive to which lead has been intentionally introduced. Exempts certain products from lead content requirements, including: (1) paint used by artists; and (2) products used for medical purposes, radiation protection or shielding, or in the mining industry to determine the presence of noble metals. Requires the Administrator to promulgate a list of lead-containing products that may present a health or environmental risk, specify the maximum concentration of lead found in such products, and promulgate labeling requirements. Prohibits: (1) placing in a landfill or incinerating lead-acid batteries; and (2) the disposal of such batteries other than by recycling in accordance with this Act. Requires used batteries to be delivered to specified entities and establishes battery acceptance requirements. Makes it unlawful to sell a battery that does not bear a label setting forth lead content and recycling information. Requires the Administrator to: (1) study and report to the Congress on the recycling and disposal of small sealed consumer lead-acid batteries; and (2) publish a rule to regulate such batteries or a determination that regulations are not needed. Directs the Administrator to require States receiving grants for lead inspections at covered schools and day care facilities to conduct inspections to detect lead-based paint and dust which contains a dangerous level of lead. Requires school or day care personnel and parents of children attending facilities where lead is present to be given risk disclosure information. Establishes requirements for renovations of such facilities. Requires the Administrator to make grants to States for inspecting such facilities. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control, to establish protocols, criteria, and minimum performance standards for laboratory analysis of lead in blood and a program to certify blood analysis laboratories. Requires the Administrator to appoint a Coordinator for Lead Activities. Directs the Administrator to award grants to institutions of higher education for establishing Centers for the Prevention of Lead Poisoning. Title II: Miscellaneous - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem a food to be adulterated if the packaging used for such food contains lead that has been intentionally introduced or if the incidental presence of lead exceeds specified percentages. Requires the Secretary to establish standards and testing procedures with respect to lead in ceramic and crystal wares as necessary to make food that contacts such wares unadulterated. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations to: (1) reduce lead in processed food; and (2) establish tolerance levels and testing procedures for lead in wine. Prohibits the introduction or delivery into interstate commerce of ceramic or crystal ware or processed food that is not in compliance with lead regulations. Title III: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1993
Comprehensive Child Immunization Act of 1993 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to promulgate: (1) a list of vaccines that provide immunization against naturally occurring infectious diseases which are recommended for universal use in children; and (2) recommendations regarding the appropriate dosage and the ages of children at which each vaccine should be administered. Directs the Secretary to establish a national system to track the immunization status of children. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to States to enable such States to establish and operate State immunization tracking registries, subject to specified conditions. Sets forth limitations on the use and disclosure of personally-identifiable information relating to a child who receives a recommended childhood vaccine or to the parent or guardian of such a child. Directs the Secretary to provide for the distribution without charge of such vaccines purchased by the Secretary under the Social Security Act to health care providers who serve children and meet other specified requirements. Permits a health care provider receiving such a vaccine to: (1) use it only for administration to children; and (2) impose a fee for the administration of the vaccine, but not for the vaccine itself, subject to specified limitations. Authorizes appropriations. Requires that funds made available for the purpose of strengthening the public health infrastructure and used in the delivery of childhood immunization services be used for activities consistent with a strategic plan that meets nationally established immunization goals developed by the State in consultation with representatives of health care providers, health centers, State agencies serving young children, and other entities involved in the prevention and control of vaccine-preventable illnesses. Revises the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program regarding: (1) addition of vaccines to the vaccine injury table; (2) the limitation of actions; (3) the extension of time for decision in proceedings on petitions for vaccine-related injuries or deaths; and (4) vaccine information materials (requiring a concise description of vaccine risks and benefits and a statement of Program availability).
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1993
Equitable Health Care for Severe Mental Illnesses Act of 1993 - Declares that it is the policy of the United States that: (1) persons with severe mental illnesses must not be discriminated against in health care; and (2) health care coverage, provided through any financing, must provide for the treatment of severe mental illnesses in a way that is equitable and commensurate with that provided for other major illnesses. Requires health care coverage, in order to be considered nondiscriminatory and equitable under this Act, to cover services that are essential to the effective treatment of severe mental illnesses in a manner that: (1) is not more restrictive than coverage provided for other major physical illnesses; (2) provides adequate financial protection to the person requiring the medical treatment for a severe mental illness; and (3) is consistent with effective and common methods of controlling health care costs for other major physical illnesses.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1993
Designates July 5 through 12, 1993, as National Awareness Week for Life-Saving Techniques.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1993
Designates June 5, 1993, as National Trails Day.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Improving Enrollment Title II: Application of Other Medicaid Eligibility Rules Title III: Report Medicare Enrollment Improvement and Protection Act of 1993 - Title I: Improving Enrollment - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) 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 (SSA title XIX) payment of their Medicare out-of-pocket expenses and how to apply for such cost-sharing benefit. Requires such notice to be suitable for posting and distributed to physicians, medical facilities, and others receiving grants to provide services to older individuals. Mandates direct enrollment of Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) eligibles by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to establish a toll-free telephone number for information about such cost-sharing benefit. Amends the Medicaid program to: (1) require the Secretary to develop a simplified form for applying for such cost-sharing benefit for processing at social security offices; and (2) provide for a period of presumptive eligibility for medical assistance for individuals who qualify for such cost-sharing benefit without regard to whether a final determination of eligibility for such assistance has been made. 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 cost-sharing benefit. Authorizes appropriations. 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 for such cost-sharing benefit. Title III: Report - Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on Department activities to ensure enrollment in and full implementation of such cost-sharing program.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Assault Weapons Title II: Indiscriminate Use of Weapons to Further Drug Conspiracies Title III: Miscellaneous Firearms Offenses Title I: Assault Weapons - Antidrug Assault Weapons Limitation Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the: (1) transfer, importation, transportation, shipment, receipt, or possession of an assault weapon, with exceptions; (2) sale, shipment, or delivery of an assault weapon to a person who does not fill out a form 4473 (prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury) in connection with the purchase; and (3) purchase, possession, or acceptance of delivery of an assault weapon by a person who has not filled out such form. Sets penalties for: (1) the use of an assault weapon during and in relation to any crime of violence or drug trafficking crime; and (2) knowingly violating requirements regarding the filling out of form 4473. Prohibits persons convicted of the latter offense from shipping or transporting firearms or ammunition in interstate or foreign commerce. Directs the Attorney General to investigate the effect of this Act and determine its impact on violent and drug trafficking crime. Title II: Indiscriminate Use of Weapons to Further Drug Conspiracies - Drive-By Shooting Prevention Act of 1993 - Sets penalties for causing grave risk to human life or the death of any person by firing a weapon into a group of two or more persons with intent to intimidate, harass, injure, or maim and in furtherance of, or to escape detection of, a major drug offense. Title III: Miscellaneous Firearms Offenses - Sets penalties for: (1) stealing a firearm that is moving in, or that has moved in, interstate or foreign commerce; and (2) smuggling or knowingly bringing a firearm, into the United States, or attempting to do so, with intent to engage in or promote conduct that is punishable under specified controlled substances Acts, violates a State law relating to a controlled substance, or constitutes a crime of violence. Provides for mandatory revocation of supervised release for possession of a firearm.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make the targeted jobs credit permanent. Increases the maximum age requirement for an economically disadvantaged youth from 23 years to 25 years. Establishes economically disadvantaged veterans as members of targeted groups for purposes of the credit.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1993
Family Preservation and Child Protection Reform Act - (Sec. 3) Amends part B (Child Welfare Services) of title IV of the Social Security Act to convert the Child Welfare program from an authorization to a capped innovative family services entitlement program. Requires maintenance of State effort under such program. Sets forth a new formula for allotments to States under such program. Requires States to use funds to provide respite care to any family operating a foster family home for one or more foster children with special needs. Requires the use of entitlement grants to develop or expand specialized child welfare services programs for families in crisis due to substance abuse. (Sec. 4) Reserves funds for grants to State court systems to assess and improve procedures in child welfare cases. (Sec. 5) Requires each State to periodically compile a detailed directory of programs designed to keep families together or reunify them or place children permanently, identifying which of such programs provides specialized child welfare services to families in crisis due to substance abuse. (Sec. 6) Requires States to inventory all children placed in foster care and determine the appropriate action in each case. Requires States to set up information and case review systems for each child receiving foster care, as well as specified service programs for all such children. (Sec. 7) Requires States to report on measures taken to comply with the Indian Child Welfare Act. (Sec. 9) Allows the involvement of private parties in the development of State plans. (Sec. 10) Amends title IV of the Social Security Act to add a new part C, Comprehensive Service Projects to grant States flexibility and resources to develop comprehensive and coordinated services. Authorizes demonstration projects for the coordination of child and family services. (Sec. 11) Makes children whose adoption has been set aside by a court eligible for discretionary foster care maintenance payments. Makes eligible for adoption assistance payments the adoptive parents of any such child with respect to whom foster care maintenance payments may be made. (Sec. 12) Expands the definition of children with special needs, for purposes of the adoption assistance program. (Sec. 13) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish an Advisory Committee on Foster Care Placement to study and report to the Secretary and the Congress on reasonable State efforts to prevent or eliminate the need for removal of children from their homes and to make it possible for foster children to return home. (Sec. 14) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual a deduction for adoption expenses paid for a child with special needs. (Sec. 15) Requires the State plan to provide for a periodic reevaluation of foster care maintenance payments. (Sec. 16) Revises requirements for dispositional hearings to determine the final status of a foster child, in part to accelerate such hearings. (Sec. 18) Revises certain case plan requirements for placement of children in out-of-State foster care, including special State reports on such placements. (Sec. 19) Revises certain requirements for the treatment of assets of youth participating in the independent living program. (Sec. 20) Eliminates the ceilings on Federal foster care payments to States and the States' authority to transfer unused foster care funds to the Child Welfare Services program. (Sec. 21) Directs the Secretary of HHS to: (1) establish an advisory committee; and (2) issue final regulations for training of staff of agencies responsible for administering foster care and adoption assistance programs and for training of foster and adoptive parents. Requires the Secretary to publish a model staff recruitment, training, and staff retention program for State and local child welfare agencies. (Sec. 23) Provides for grants for child welfare traineeships. (Sec. 25) Amends title IV of the Social Security Act to add a new part G, Child Welfare Review System. Directs the Secretary of HHS to establish such system to: (1) review each State child welfare program to assess whether the requirements of such Act are being carried out; (2) impose financial penalties in cases of substantial failure to comply; and (3) provide technical assistance to any such program. (Sec. 26) Requires the Secretary to establish a work group to advise on the planning and implementation of the system to be used for the collection of data relating to adoption and foster care. (Sec. 27) Requires the Secretary to conduct, through contracts with independent research organizations, the following research and evaluation projects; (1) foster care evaluations; (2) longitudinal child welfare data bases; and (3) studies of child welfare population dynamics. Requires the Secretary to study child separation practices in at least three States and develop appropriate separation guidelines. (Secs. 28-30) Directs the Secretary of HHS to conduct certain demonstration projects with respect to child welfare, independent living services for young adults, and home rebuilding for children released from foster care. Directs the Secretary to appoint a Commission on the Evaluation of Disability in Children. (Sec. 32) Amends part A of title XI of the Social Security Act to overturn certain limitations in Suter v. Artist M. on private enforceability of State plan requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1993
Designates the weeks beginning April 18, 1993, and April 17, 1994, as National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1993
Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 - 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: (1) furthers a compelling governmental interest; and (2) is 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 · 11 March 1993
Chesapeake Bay Restoration Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) continue the Chesapeake Bay Program; and (2) maintain a Chesapeake Bay Program Office. Requires the Office to support the Chesapeake Executive Council (signatories of the Chesapeake Bay Agreement to protect the Bay) by: (1) implementing activities that support the Program; (2) making available information pertaining to the environmental quality and living resources of the Bay; (3) assisting the signatories in implementing action plans to carry out Agreement authorities; (4) assisting in the development of strategies to improve Bay water quality and living resources; and (5) implementing outreach programs to foster stewardship of the Bay. Establishes a Chesapeake Bay Federal Agencies Committee to coordinate Federal activities relating to the restoration of the Bay. Requires Federal agencies to report to the President on activities planned and undertaken, and resources provided, to meet responsibilities under the Program. Directs Federal agencies that own or operate facilities within the Bay watershed to assess the facilities to ensure compliance with the Program (specifically identifying impacts on Bay water quality or living resources) and include a plan for addressing such impacts in the report to the President. Requires the Administrator to: (1) implement a research, monitoring, and data collection program to assess the environmental quality and living resources of the major tributaries, rivers, and streams within the Bay watershed and assist in the development of management plans for such tributaries; and (2) establish a habitat restoration and design program in the watershed to demonstrate low-cost techniques for restoring wetlands, forest riparian zones, and other Bay habitats. Authorizes grants to public or private entities to carry out such programs. Directs the Administrator to implement a basinwide toxics reduction strategy, as well as research and monitoring to improve understanding of intermedia transfers of toxic pollutants and the ultimate fate of the pollutants within the Bay ecosystem. Authorizes financial assistance for specified activities. Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Program and related interstate development plan grants. Authorizes appropriations for activities not covered under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Taxpayer Advocate Title II: Modifications to Installment Agreement Provisions Title III: Interest Title IV: Joint Returns Title V: Collection Activities Title VI: Information Returns Title VII: Modifications to Penalty for Failure to Collect and Pay Over Tax Title VIII: Awarding of Costs and Certain Fees Title IX: Other Provisions Title X: Form Modifications; Studies Subtitle A: Form Modifications Subtitle B: Studies Taxpayer Bill of Rights 2 - Title I: Taxpayer Advocate - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish in the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) the Office of Taxpayer Advocate, headed by the Taxpayer Advocate, to: (1) assist taxpayers in resolving problems with the IRS; (2) identify areas in which taxpayers have problems in dealings with the IRS; (3) propose changes in the administrative practices of the IRS to mitigate such problems; and (4) identify potential legislative changes which may be appropriate to mitigate such problems. Requires the Commissioner of Internal Revenue to establish procedures requiring a formal response to all recommendations submitted to the Commissioner by the Taxpayer Advocate. Replaces the Office of the Ombudsman with the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate. Revises the terms of a Taxpayer Assistance Order to: (1) allow the Order to require the Secretary of the Treasury to act within a specified time period; and (2) require the Secretary to take certain actions (currently, only to cease or refrain from taking certain actions). Title II: Modifications to Installment Agreement Provisions - Grants certain taxpayers the right to an installment agreement for the payment of tax liability less than $10,000. Requires prior notification to taxpayers under an installment agreement to pay tax liability before altering, modifying, or terminating such an agreement. Provides for administrative review of denials of requests for, or termination of, installment agreements. Title III: Interest - Authorizes the abatement of interest in the case of an assessment due to the unreasonable error or delay of an IRS act. Extends from ten to 21 days the period for which interest will not be imposed after notice and demand for payment, if such payment is less than $100,000. Title IV: Joint Returns - Allows the disclosure of collection activities to an individual requesting such information in the case of a joint return where such individual is no longer married to or resides in the same household as the other joint filer. Removes limitations on filing a joint return after filing separate returns. Title V: Collection Activities - Authorizes the Secretary, in certain cases, to: (1) withdraw a notice of a lien; (2) return property that has been levied upon; and (3) offer compromises in civil or criminal cases. Requires the Secretary to provide a copy of such notice of withdrawal to the taxpayer and, at the request of the taxpayer, to make reasonable efforts to notify credit reporting agencies and financial institutions of such withdrawal notice. Requires prior notification to the taxpayer that the taxpayer is under examination and an explanation of the process, with exceptions. Increases the dollar limit on the recovery of civil damages for unauthorized collection actions. Revises provisions with respect to a designated summons concerning the standard of review and notice requirements for issuance. Title VI: Information Returns - Requires payee statements to provide the phone number of the person providing payment. Establishes civil damages for the fraudulent filing of information returns. Requires the Secretary, in any court proceeding where a taxpayer asserts a reasonable dispute with respect to income reported on an information return filed by a third party and the taxpayer has fully cooperated with the Secretary, to present reasonable and probative information concerning such deficiency in addition to such return. Title VII: Modifications to Penalty for Failure to Collect and Pay Over Tax - Establishes preliminary notice requirements for failure to pay tax. Declares that a person shall not be liable for any penalty for failure to collect and pay over tax if such person: (1) is not a significant owner or highly compensated employee of the trade or business; (2) notifies the Secretary within ten days after such failure; (3) such notification was before any notice by the Secretary with respect to such failure; and (4) such failure is not a part of a plan to defraud the Government. Directs the Secretary to: (1) disclose certain information where more than one person is liable for a penalty; and (2) ensure that IRS employees are aware of their responsibilities under the tax depository system, the circumstances under which they may be liable for penalties, and reporting responsibilities. Exempts unpaid, volunteer board members of tax-exempt organizations who do not have actual knowledge of the failure on which such penalties are imposed from collection penalties. Title VIII: Awarding of Costs and Certain Fees - Authorizes a taxpayer who substantially prevails on a claim to file a motion for an order requiring the disclosure of all information and copies of relevant records in the possession of the IRS regarding such taxpayer's case and the substantial justification for the position taken by the IRS. Increases the limit on attorney fees. Provides that any failure to agree to an extension of time for the assessment of any tax shall not be taken into account in determining whether a prevailing party has exhausted all administrative remedies. Title IX: Other Provisions - Revises provisions on the required content of tax due, deficiency, and other notices. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) treatment of substitute returns under section 6651 (relating to failure to file a tax return or to pay tax); (2) prospective application of Treasury Department regulations; and (3) required notice to the taxpayer of payments that the Secretary cannot associate with any outstanding tax liability of such taxpayer. Authorizes a taxpayer to bring a civil damage suit against the United States if any U.S. officer or employee intentionally compromises the determination or collection of any tax due from an attorney, certified public accountant (CPA), or enrolled agent representing a taxpayer in exchange for information conveyed by the taxpayer for purposes of obtaining advice concerning tax liability, except where conveyed for the purpose of perpetrating a fraud or crime. Title X: Form Modifications; Studies - Subtitle A: Form Modifications - Directs the Secretary to: (1) take steps to ensure that taxpayers are aware of provisions of the Internal Revenue Code permitting payment of tax in installments, extensions, and compromises of tax liability; (2) provide improved procedures for taxpayers to notify the Secretary of changes in names and addresses; and (3) include in the IRS publication entitled "Your Rights As a Taxpayer" a section on the rights and responsibilities of divorced individuals. Subtitle B: Studies - Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a one-year pilot program for appeals of enforcement actions to the Appeals Division of the IRS; (2) study ways to assist the elderly, physically impaired, foreign-language speaking, and other taxpayers with special needs to comply with the internal revenue laws; and (3) report to the tax-writing committees on the IRS's taxpayer-rights education program and on all cases involving complaints about misconduct of IRS employees. Requires the Comptroller General to conduct: (1) a study on IRS efforts to notify taxpayers of tax deficiencies; and (2) annual studies of the accuracy of 25 of the most commonly used IRS forms, notices, and publications.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1993
Designates the week of October 3 through 9, 1993, as Mental Illness Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1993
Designates the month of May in 1993 and 1994 as National Trauma Awareness Month.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1993
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) should refrain from further processing of restructuring proceedings pursuant to a specified FERC order until 60 days after submission to the Congress of a study of the economic impact of the order on residential, commercial, and other end-users of natural gas.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1993
Designates the weeks of May 2 through 8, 1993, and May 1 through 7, 1994, as National Correctional Officers Week.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make the low-income housing credit permanent. Modifies provisions concerning unused housing credit carryovers by States to allow States to carry over more unused credits from year to year. Provides that a unit shall not fail to be treated as low-income because it is occupied by students or persons enrolled in job training programs under the Job Training Partnership Act. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to waive: (1) any recapture of credit (required to be included in tax) in the case of any de minimis error in complying with tests for qualified low-income housing projects; or (2) any annual recertification of tenant income if the entire building is occupied by low-income tenants. Determines the adjusted basis of any building (for purposes of the low-income housing credit) by taking into account the adjusted basis of the property used in community activity facilities if: (1) such facilities are designed to serve individuals meeting income requirements for the housing project; and (2) not more than 20 percent of the aggregate eligible basis of all buildings in the project is attributable to the aggregate basis of such facilities. Applies at-risk rules to low-income housing credit property that also qualifies for the historic site rehabilitation credit and to qualified lenders. Adds conditions prohibiting discrimination against Section 8 tenants for purposes of meeting extended low-income housing commitments required to receive credits.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1993
Designates November 28 through December 4, 1993, and November 27 through December 3, 1994, as National Home Care Week.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1993
Vietnam Women's Memorial Coin Act of 1994 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue silver coins emblematic of the Vietnam Women's Memorial sculpture. Requires all surcharges received from the sale of such coins to be used for: (1) an endowment for the Memorial; (2) education and research concerning veterans and their families; and (3) the identification and documentation of women who served in the armed forces during the Vietnam era. Expresses the sense of the Congress that this coin program shall be self-sustaining and administered to result in no net cost to the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1993
Live Performing Artists Labor Relations Act - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to permit employers to: (1) agree with a labor organization to make membership in it a condition of performing arts employment; and (2) make agreements with a labor organization covering performing artists even if its majority status has not yet been established (pre-hire agreements). Defines "employer" to include purchasers of live musical performance services. Defines "employee" to include independent contractors engaged to perform live musical services. Provides that nothing in the amendments made by this Act shall be construed as affecting the treatment of individuals (as employees or independent contractors) covered by such labor law amendments for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code or any other laws.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1993
Designates the month of November in 1993 and 1994 as National Hospice Month.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1993
Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit (until the Attorney General certifies that a national instant criminal background check system (System) is established pursuant to this Act) any licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer from selling, delivering, or transferring a handgun to an unlicensed individual unless: (1) after the most recent proposal of such transfer by the individual, the transferor has received a statement of eligibility from the individual, verified the identity of such individual, provided notice of the contents, and transmitted a copy of the statement to the chief law enforcement officer (chief) of the place of residence of the individual within one day after the individual furnishes the statement; and five business days have elapsed from the date the transferor furnished notice of the contents of the statement to the chief, during which period the transferor has not received information from the chief that receipt or possession of the handgun by the individual would be in violation of Federal, State, or local law or has received notice from the chief that the chief has no information indicating that such receipt or possession would violate such law; (2) the individual has presented to the transferor a statement from the chief, issued in the past ten days, stating that the individual requires a handgun because of a threat to such individual or such individual's family; (3) the individual has presented to the transferor a permit to possess a handgun that has been issued in the past five years by the State in which the transfer is to take place under a State law which requires law enforcement verification of the individual's legal qualification to possess a handgun; (4) State law requires that an authorized government official verifies that the information available to such official does not indicate that possession of a handgun by the purchaser would be unlawful, with exceptions; (5) the Secretary of the Treasury has approved the transfer under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code; or (6) the Secretary has certified, on application of the transferor, that compliance with the notice requirement is impracticable for specified reasons. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) establish the System; (2) expedite the upgrading and indexing of State criminal history records in the Federal criminal records system maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the development of hardware and software systems to link State criminal history check systems into the System, and the current revitalization initiatives by the FBI for technologically advanced fingerprint and criminal records identification; and (3) ensure the privacy and security of System information. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the use of justice system improvement formula grants for the improvement of State record systems and the sharing with the Attorney General of specified records for the purpose of implementing this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1993
Limited Partnership Rollup Reform Act of 1993 - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to revise proxy solicitation rules with respect to limited partnership rollup transactions (in which general partners combine several limited partnerships into one unit that trades on a stock exchange, or a single limited partnership is reorganized so that some or all of the investors receive new securities or securities in another entity). Requires the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to prescribe proxy rules to: (1) permit dissenting shareholders in a proposed rollup to contact, without filing soliciting material with the SEC, other limited partners before the transaction date in order to determine whether to solicit proxies, consents, or authorizations in opposition to the proposed transaction; (2) require the issuer to provide a shareholder (limited partner) with a list of all limited and general partners involved in the proposed rollup; (3) prohibit the direct or indirect payment of any person providing solicitation services (a broker-dealer) on the basis of whether the solicited proxies, consents, or authorizations either approve or disapprove the proposed transaction, or the transaction is approved or completed; (4) require the rollup soliciting material to be clear, concise, and understandable and summarize all effects of the proposed transaction, its risks, conflicts of interest, changes in voting rights and ownership interests, dissenters' rights, and any report received by the general partner that is prepared by an outside party and is materially related to the rollup transaction; and (5) give each shareholder at least 60 days to review the soliciting material. Authorizes the SEC to grant exemptions from these requirements. Excludes transactions involving certain kinds of limited partnerships from the meaning of limited partnership rollup transaction. Requires the rules of a national securities association to prevent association members from participating in any rollup transaction unless it protects specified rights of dissenting limited partners. Requires a national securities exchange to prohibit the listing of any security resulting from a rollup transaction, and the rules of a national securities association to prohibit the authorization for quotation on an association-sponsored automated interdealer quotation system of any security the SEC designates as a national market system security resulting from a rollup transaction, unless such dissenters' rights were provided for.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1993
Emergency Unemployment Compensation Amendments of 1993 - Amends the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 1991 (Public Law 102-164, as amended) to extend the authorization for new claims for benefits under the emergency unemployment compensation (EUC program) to October 2, 1993 (currently March 6, 1993). Modifies the final phase-out period for continuation of claims to end on January 15, 1994 (currently June 19, 1993). Provides for a similar extension of the program of temporary extended railroad unemployment insurance benefits (and modification of the phase-out period). Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish a program to encourage all States to adopt and implement a system (including automated data processing) for profiling all new claimants for regular unemployment compensation, to determine which claimants may be likely to exhaust such compensation and need reemployment assistance services. Requires provision of such technical assistance, advice, and funding to States for model profiling systems as the Secretary deems appropriate and necessary. Requires the Secretary to report, with recommendations, to the Congress on such systems within 30 months after enactment of this Act. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act's extension of the EUC program. Designates all direct spending amounts provided and all appropriations authorized by this Act as emergency requirements for purposes of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act).
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1993
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue gold and silver coins emblematic of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Establishes the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Maintenance Fund to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior for Memorial-related purposes and to provide educational scholarships to the immediate family members of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty whose names appear on the Memorial.