United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1995
Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to convey all right (except specified easements and related rights), title, and interest, without consideration, in certain lighthouses located in the State of Maine to the Island Institute, Rockland, Maine. Requires the Institute to subsequently convey all but two of the lighthouses, without consideration, to specified eligible Federal, State and local governments, as well as nonprofit corporations, educational agencies, and community development organizations. Establishes the Maine Lighthouse Selection Committee, which shall either approve or disapprove an entity for the conveyance of a lighthouse from the Institute. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer specified lighthouses to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1995
United States Silver Dollar Coin Act of 1995 - Amends Federal currency law to prescribe the color and content of one-dollar silver coins. Mandates that the obverse side of the one-dollar silver coin bear a likeness of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and the reverse side bear a rendering of the Iwo Jima Memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1995
D'Oench Duhme Reform Act - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Act to revise its D'Oench Duhme provisions which render unenforceable against the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) in its capacity as receiver of an insured depository institution any secret side agreements not recorded in the institution's records. Declares that an agreement against the interests of the FDIC in its capacity as receiver is not enforceable against it unless the agreement is in writing and was executed by the insured depository institution in the ordinary course of business. Declares that no court may prohibit the adjudication of specified types of claims and defenses against the FDIC in its capacity as receiver of an insured depository institution, including certain intentional tort claims and other claims that do not relate to specific assets acquired by the FDIC. Declares that, except as otherwise provided by Federal or State law, the FDIC may not defeat a claim related to an asset by demonstrating that it acquired the asset as a holder in due course without actual knowledge of the claim, unless it also demonstrates that the asset was not acquired upon its appointment as conservator or receiver or as part of a purchase and assumption transaction. Excepts from this provision vendor agreements for the sale or purchase of goods or services delivered to an insured depository institution before the appointment of a receiver for such institution.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1995
Ryan White CARE Reauthorization Act of 1995 - Amends title XXVI (HIV Health Care Services Program) of the Public Health Service Act regarding emergency relief for areas with a substantial need for services. Changes requirements for grants to metropolitan areas having large numbers of cases of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Modifies the composition, chairperson requirements, and duties of local human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) health services planning councils. Revises requirements for supplemental grants. Alters the method for determining the amount of each grant, the mandated uses of the grants, and application requirements. Allows a single application for initial and supplemental grants and authorizes both to be made as a single grant. Mandates (currently, allows) technical assistance. Authorizes planning grants. Amends provisions relating to the care grant program to change the uses of HIV care consortia grants and consortium application requirements. Mandates establishment of a recommended minimum formulary of pharmaceutical drug therapies approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Revises: (1) State duties in using grant funds to provide treatments; (2) State application requirements; and (3) planning, evaluation, and administration requirements. Mandates (currently, allows) technical assistance. Mandates grievance procedures to address allegations of egregious violations of title XXVI. Requires coordination of the planning and implementation of Federal HIV programs by the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Amends early intervention services provisions to: (1) require grant recipients to provide a continuum of primary care; and (2) modify other requirements regarding uses of grant funds. Authorizes planning grants to entities that are not direct primary care providers to enable them to provide HIV primary care services. Authorizes appropriations for early intervention grants. Replaces provisions mandating demonstration grants for research and services for pediatric AIDS patients with provisions mandating grants for primary care for out-patient care and support services to children, youth, women with HIV disease, and the families of those individuals and for facilitating the participation of such individuals in research. Requires procedures for the protection of human subjects. Prohibits conditioning services on research participation. Authorizes appropriations. Reserves a specified portion of the amounts appropriated under other parts of title XXVI to administer a special projects of national significance program to award direct grants for special programs for the care and treatment of individuals with HIV disease. Repeals current provisions relating to special projects of national significance. Replaces provisions of the Public Health Service Act authorizing grants and contracts to train the faculty of specified types of health professions schools regarding providing for the health care needs of individuals with HIV disease with provisions authorizing grants and contracts to train health personnel, including community providers, in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of HIV infection and disease. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 4) Amends title XXVI provisions relating to emergency relief for areas with a substantial need for services to modify the formula for determining the amount of grants. (Sec. 5) Amends provisions relating to the care grant program to change the formula regarding minimum grant allotments. (Sec. 6) Authorizes appropriations to make grants under title XXVI provisions relating to: (1) emergency relief for areas with a substantial need for services; and (2) the care grant program. Mandates development and implementation of a methodology for adjusting the percentages allocated to those parts. Repeals existing authorizations of appropriations for those parts.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Rechargeable Battery Recycling Act Title II: Mercury-Containing Battery Management Act Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a program to provide information on the proper handling and disposal of used regulated batteries and rechargeable consumer products with nonremovable batteries. Defines a "regulated battery" as a rechargeable battery that contains a cadmium or lead electrode or contains other electrode chemistries and is the subject of a specified determination by the Administrator. Establishes civil penalties for violations of this Act. Sets forth recordkeeping requirements and establishes access authorities for the Administrator. Authorizes appropriations. Title I: Rechargeable Battery Recycling Act - Rechargeable Battery Recycling Act - Prohibits any person from selling for use in the United States a regulated battery or a rechargeable consumer product ready for retail sale and manufactured on or after 12 months after this Act's enactment date unless: (1) the battery is easily removable from the product or is sold separately; and (2) the rechargeable consumer product and the battery are labeled in accordance with this Act. Sets forth labeling requirements, including that the label contain a statement that the battery must be recycled or disposed of properly. Authorizes the Administrator, upon determining that other rechargeable batteries having electrode chemistries different from regulated batteries are toxic and may cause substantial harm if discarded for land disposal or incineration, to promulgate requirements for: (1) labeling such batteries and related products; and (2) easy removability of regulated batteries from rechargeable consumer products designed to contain such batteries. Provides for exemptions from this Act's requirements under certain conditions. Title II: Mercury-Containing Battery Management Act - Mercury-Containing Battery Management Act - Prohibits the sale or offering for sale or promotional purposes of: (1) alkaline-manganese batteries manufactured on or after January 1, 1996, with a mercury content that was intentionally introduced (limits the content in alkaline-manganese button cells to 25 milligrams of mercury per button cell); (2) zinc carbon batteries manufactured on or after January 1, 1996, that contain mercury that was intentionally introduced; (3) button cell mercuric-oxide batteries for use in the United States on or after January 1, 1996; and (4) any mercuric-oxide battery on or after January 1, 1996, unless the manufacturer identifies a collection site that has all required Federal, State, and local government approvals, to which persons may send such batteries for recycling or disposal and informs its purchasers of such site and of a telephone number to get information about sending such batteries for recycling or disposal. Authorizes the Administrator, upon the petition of a person that proposes a new use for a battery technology or the use of a battery described in this title in a new product, to exempt such new use or product from this title if there exist safeguards to ensure that the battery or product will not be disposed of in an incinerator, composting facility, or landfill (other than a facility regulated under subtitle C of the Solid Waste Disposal Act).
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1995
Calls upon the President to express strong U.S. opposition to Turkey's invasion of northern Iraq and urges the United States, at the United Nations Security Council, to condemn Turkey's illegal act of aggression and bring about an immediate and unconditional withdrawal. Denounces Turkey's consistent pattern of human rights violations against ethnic Kurds and condemns acts of terror by PKK forces against Turkish civilian and military targets. Supports the maintenance of Operation Provide Comfort and the continuation of other non-governmental humanitarian assistance for the Kurds of northern Iraq.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1995
Amends the Uniform Code of Military Justice to deny a member of the armed forces sentenced by a court-martial to confinement and a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge or dismissal entitlement to military pay and allowances for any period after such sentence. Restores such entitlement if the sentence is disapproved or set aside. Authorizes the Secretary of the executive department concerned to pay transitional compensation to any spouse, dependent child, or former spouse of a member during any period in which the member's entitlement to pay and allowances is terminated under this Act. Allows such Secretary to pay emergency transitional assistance to a person for up to 45 days while the person's application for transitional compensation is pending approval.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to restore and make permanent the deduction for health insurance costs of self-employed individuals. Removes the 25 percent limitation on such deduction. Requires the United States Trade Representative to establish a new position of Assistant United States Trade Representative for Small Business to promote exports by small businesses and to remove foreign impediments to the success of such undertakings. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require the Congressional Budget Office to prepare a cost analysis for small businesses of each bill or resolution of a public character reported by congressional committees (except the Committee on Appropriations of each House).
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1995
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) obstetrician-gynecologists should be included as primary care providers for women in Federal laws relating to the provision of health care; and (2) legislative proposals that define primary care should include primary care services performed by obstetrician-gynecologists in such definition.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1995
Reforestation Tax Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide taxpayers a partial inflation adjustment for the deduction from gross income for qualified timber gain. Allows such deduction in computing adjusted gross income. Excludes from conditions of the material participation rules, for purposes of the passive loss limitations, closely held timber activity if the aggregate hours devoted to management of the activity for any year is generally fewer than 100 hours. Increases the amount allowable as a deduction for amortization of reforestation expenditures and provides an inflation adjustment after calendar year 1995. Applies such inflation adjustment to the reforestation credit. Shortens the amortization period from 84 to 60 months.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1995
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should promptly indicate that the United States will welcome a private visit by Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui to his alma mater, Cornell University, and will welcome a transit stop by President Lee in Anchorage, Alaska, to attend the USA-ROC Economic Council Conference.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1995
Student Loan Evaluation and Stabilization Act of 1995 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 with respect to student loan programs. (Sec. 3) Revises the Federal Direct Student Loan program to limit the proportion of loans made under such program: (1) for academic year 1994-1995, to five percent of the new student loan volume for such year; and (2) for academic year 1995-1996 and any succeeding fiscal year, to 40 percent of new student loan volume for such year, except that the Secretary of Education may not enter into agreements with any additional eligible institutions that have not applied and been accepted for participation in such program on or before December 31, 1994. Eliminates provisions for selecting additional institutions to participate in such pilot program. Makes available, for each fiscal year to the Secretary from funds not otherwise appropriated, funds for all direct and indirect expenses associated with such Federal Direct Student Loan program. Revises provisions for congressional oversight of program administration, by providing for funding triggers which allow administrative funds to be obligated only in such amounts and according to such schedule as specified in the appropriations Act for the Department of Education after submission by the Department of a detailed proposal for such expenditures. Directs the Secretary of Education to provide a detailed quarterly report of all such expenditures to specified congressional committee chairs. Requires such report to specifically identify all contracts entered into by the Department for services supporting the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program and the Federal Perkins Loan Program, as well as the current and projected costs of such contracts. Requires a guaranty agency to elect an administrative cost allowance payment rate on the basis of one of two specified formulas. Eliminates the transition to the Federal Direct Loan Program. (Sec. 4) Provides that direct loans have the same terms and conditions as FFEL (guaranteed) loans. (Sec. 5) Sets forth conditions under which: (1) Federal Perkins Loan borrowers can obtain FFEL consolidation loans; and (2) FFEL borrowers can obtain Federal direct consolidation loans. (Sec. 6) Allows income contingent repayment in the FFEL (guaranteed) loan program. (Sec. 7) Revises provisions relating to reserve fund programs. (Sec. 8) Sets institutional default rate limitations on direct lending. Conditions the Secretary's authority to make new direct loans on the issuance of certain final standards and procedures for calculation of institutional default rates and for termination proceedings. (Sec. 9) Permits development, production, distribution, or use of the common application form in an electronic format through software produced or distributed by guaranty agencies or eligible lenders, or consortia. Allows the applicant to certify the outcome of the application in a subsequent document. Prohibits charging a fee in connection with the use of such electronic form. Directs the Secretary to approve the use of such a form which is not inconsistent with certain HEA provisions, or to specifically identify the changes necessary to secure approval. (Sec. 10) Provides for applications for FFEL loans using the free Federal application form, which is already in use for other types of student aid. Allows such form to be in an electronic or any other format, subject to certain conditions, in order to facilitate use by borrowers and institutions. Provides for authorized guaranty agencies to receive such form. (Sec. 11) Amends the Congressional Budget Act to prescribe a formula for determining the cost of a direct loan on the basis of the net present value, at the time the direct loan is disbursed, of specified types of cash flows for the estimated life of the loan.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1995
Interstate Compact - Grants congressional consent to the Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact entered into among the States of Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts to assure the viability of dairy farming in the northeast and to assure consumers of an adequate, local milk supply. Limits Compact regulatory authority to Class I milk. Authorizes Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia to join under specified conditions. Requires the Compact Commission to remove overproduction incentives. Sets forth Compact provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1995
Northern Border States Council Act - Establishes the Northern Border States-Canada Trade Council. Sets forth the duties of the Council, including: (1) advising the President, the Congress, the United States Trade Representative, the Secretary of Commerce, and other appropriate Federal and State officials with respect to the administration of U.S.-Canada trade policies, taxation of trade in goods and services, and customs and immigration matters; (2) monitoring trade issues and disputes that involve one of the Council-member States and either the Canadian Government or one of Canada's provinces; and (3) making recommendations with respect to such disputes. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Improvements to the Child Support Collection System Title II: Effect of Enactment Interstate Child Support Responsibility Act of 1995 - Title I: Improvements to the Child Support Collection System - Subtitle A: Eligibility and Other Matters Concerning Title IV-D Program Clients - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require States to have statutorily prescribed procedures to: (1) record child support orders in a central case registry; and (2) collect child support payments through a centralized collections unit. (Sec. 101) Revises the guidelines for: (1) State plans for child and spousal support; and (2) payments distribution. (Sec. 103) Requires State plans to establish procedural guidelines for: (1) notification of all proceedings and orders affecting child support obligations; and (2) privacy safeguards regarding paternity and child support actions. Subtitle B: Program Administration and Funding - Revises the formula for: (1) Federal matching payments to the States; and (2) incentive adjustments to the Federal matching rate. (Sec. 113) Requires a State plan for child and spousal support to include prescribed procedures for State reviews and audits. Revises the guidelines for Federal evaluation and audit of State programs governing paternity, child and spousal support, and parent location. (Sec. 115) Revises the automated data processing requirements for State plans to mandate a single statewide automated data processing and information retrieval system which can perform specified tasks. (Sec. 116) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to conduct staffing studies of each State child support enforcement program and to report the results to the Congress. (Sec. 117) Makes funds available to the Secretary for: (1) training of Federal and State staff, research and demonstration programs, and special projects of regional and national significance; and (2) operation of the Federal Parent Locator Service. Subtitle C: Locate and Case Tracking - Mandates that the single statewide automated data system function as a single central case registry of State-provided services and support orders. Delineates contents of case records and data matching activities, including data exchange with sister States. (Sec. 122) Requires State plans to include a centralized, automated unit for the collection and disbursement of support payments. (Sec. 123) Requires the States to have statutorily prescribed procedures: (1) for mandatory income withholding for support payments subject to enforcement; and (2) under which child support orders issued before October 1, 1996, shall become subject to withholding from wages if arrearages occur, without the need for a judicial or administrative hearing. Revises the procedural guidelines for income withholding for child support enforcement. (Sec. 125) Revises the Federal Parent Locator Service to add kinds of information which may be transmitted to locate individuals and assets for purposes of establishing parentage and executing child support obligations. Requires the Secretary to establish in the Service a Data Bank of Child Support Orders and an automated directory of New Hires. (Sec. 126) Requires State plans to include procedures for recording social security numbers on certain family legal documents and records, including all applications for motor vehicle licenses and professional licenses. Subtitle D: Streamlining and Uniformity of Procedures - Requires each State to have the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act in effect as of January 1, 1997. (Sec. 132) Amends the Federal judicial code to revise the procedures for a court to apply when determining which State order to recognize for purposes of continuing, exclusive jurisdiction and enforcement for child support orders. (Sec. 133) Amends SSA title IV part D to revise State plan guidelines for mandatory expedited administrative and judicial procedures to include: (1) authorized genetic testing to establish paternity; and (2) the securing of assets and increasing of monthly payments to satisfy a support arrearage. Subtitle E: Paternity Establishment - Revises the guidelines for statutorily prescribed procedures governing genetic testing and outreach for voluntary paternity acknowledgment. Subtitle F: Establishment and Modification of Support Orders - Establishes the National Child Support Guidelines Commission to determine: (1) whether it is appropriate to develop a national child support guideline; or (2) based on a study of various guideline models, the benefits and deficiencies of such models and any needed improvements. (Sec. 152) Revises the requirements for State plan procedures for the review and adjustment of support orders. Subtitle G: Enforcement of Support Orders - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the priority of refund distribution with respect to past-due support owed to individuals. (Sec. 163) Amends SSA title IV part D to revise procedural guidelines for: (1) consent by the United States to income withholding, garnishment, and similar proceedings for enforcement of child support and alimony obligations of current and retired Federal employees; and (2) enforcement of child support obligations of current and retired members of the armed forces. (Sec. 165) Requires States to have statutorily prescribed procedures for: (1) placing liens for child support arrearages on motor vehicle titles of the debtor; (2) voiding fraudulent transfers by a child support debtor; (3) suspending any driver's, business, or occupational license issued to any person who owes past-due child support; (4) reporting to credit bureaus the name of the parent in arrears for child support; (5) extending the statute of limitations for collection on child support arrearages; and (6) calculating interest or penalties on such arrearage. (Sec. 171) Prescribes procedural guidelines for passport denial (including revocation) upon certification of nonpayment of child support. (Sec. 172) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should ratify the United Nations Convention of 1956. Requires State plans to provide that the State must treat international child support cases as interstate cases. Subtitle H: Medical Support - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to include within the definition of medical child support order an order issued through a State administrative process. Subtitle I: Access and Visitation Programs - Authorizes State grants to States to establish and administer programs to facilitate absent parents' access and visitation programs. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Effect of Enactment - Sets forth effective dates for this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1995
Regulatory Reform Commissions Act of 1995 - Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to establish three commissions to review and report on the regulations issued by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Labor, and the Department of the Interior. Includes among review standards determinations as to: (1) whether the regulations are within the scope of authority of the underlying statutes, in accordance with original congressional intent, and subject to judicial review; and (2) economic costs and benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1995
Amends the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act to authorize the Secretary of Commerce, under specified procedures for negotiated rulemaking, to prepare a fishery management plan or amendment with respect to any fishery and issue proposed regulations to carry out such plan or amendment. Requires that any such plan or amendment be prepared: (1) in accordance with national standards and applicable law; and (2) in consultation with the Secretary of State with respect to foreign fishing and with the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating regarding enforcement at sea.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1995
Women's Health Office Act of 1995 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish an Office of Women's Health within the: (1) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health; (2) Office of the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and (3) Office of the Director of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. Amends the: (1) Social Security Act to establish such an Office within the Office of the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration; and (2) Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish such an Office within the Office of the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. Requires all such offices to: (1) establish goals and objectives and coordinate activities within their respective departments or agencies that relate to disease prevention, health promotion, service delivery, and research concerning women; (2) undertake appropriate advisory duties with respect to such issues; and (3) monitor and coordinate Federal and regional activities regarding women's health. Requires reports. Authorizes appropriations for such Office within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health. Requires in most cases the establishment of a Coordinating Committee on Research on Women's Health to undertake appropriate duties with respect to women's health research.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1995
Directs the Secretary of Commerce, in order to establish conservation and management measures for the New England ground fish fishery, to commence, in accordance with this Act and the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act: (1) the preparation of a fishery management plan or an amendment to an existing fishery management plan; and (2) the issuance of proposed regulations to implement the plan or amendment. Requires the Secretary, in preparing a fishery management plan or amendment and in issuing proposed regulations, to comply with procedural requirements for negotiated rulemaking, with exceptions. Directs the Secretary to establish a negotiated rulemaking committee and publish a notice. Lists provisions that are inapplicable. Permits the Secretary to submit a fishery management plan or amendment and proposed regulations on which a negotiated rulemaking committee reaches a consensus to the New England Fishery Management Council for consideration and comment.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Improvements to the Child Support Collection System Subtitle A Eligibility and Other Matters Concerning Title IV-D Program Clients Subtitle B: Program Administration and Funding Subtitle C: Locate and Case Tracking Subtitle D: Streamlining and Uniformity of Procedures Subtitle E: Paternity Establishment Subtitle F: Establishment and Modification of Support Orders Subtitle G: Enforcement of Support Orders Subtitle H: Medical Support Title II: Increased Access to Financial Information of Noncustodial Parents and Additional Improvements in Enforcement Title III: Effective Dates Child Support Responsibility Act of 1995 - Title I: Improvements to the Child Support Collection System - Subtitle A: Eligibility and Other Matters Concerning Title IV-D Program Clients - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require States to have statutorily prescribed procedures to: (1) record child support orders in a central case registry; and (2) collect child support payments through a centralized collections unit. (Sec. 101) Revises the guidelines for: (1) State plans for child and spousal support; and (2) payments distribution. (Sec. 103) Requires State plans to establish procedural guidelines for: (1) notification of all proceedings and orders affecting child support obligations; and (2) privacy safeguards regarding paternity and child support actions. Subtitle B: Program Administration and Funding - Revises the formula for: (1) Federal matching payments to the States; and (2) incentive adjustments to the Federal matching rate. (Sec. 113) Requires a State plan for child and spousal support to include prescribed procedures for State reviews and audits. Revises the guidelines for Federal evaluation and audit of State programs governing paternity, child and spousal support, and parent location. (Sec. 115) Revises the automated data processing requirements for State plans to mandate a single statewide automated data processing and information retrieval system which can perform specified tasks. (Sec. 116) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to conduct staffing studies of each State child support enforcement program and to report the results to the Congress. (Sec. 117) Makes funds available to the Secretary for: (1) training of Federal and State staff, research and demonstration programs, and special projects of regional and national significance; and (2) operation of the Federal Parent Locator Service. Subtitle C: Locate and Case Tracking - Mandates that the single statewide automated data system function as a single central case registry of State-provided services and support orders. Delineates contents of case records and data matching activities, including data exchange with sister States. (Sec. 122) Requires State plans to include a centralized, automated unit for the collection and disbursement of support payments. (Sec. 123) Requires the States to have statutorily prescribed procedures: (1) for mandatory income withholding for support payments subject to enforcement; and (2) under which child support orders issued before October 1, 1996, shall become subject to withholding from wages if arrearages occur, without the need for a judicial or administrative hearing. Revises the procedural guidelines for income withholding for child support enforcement. (Sec. 125) Revises the Federal Parent Locator Service to add kinds of information which may be transmitted to locate individuals and assets for purposes of establishing parentage and executing child support obligations. Requires the Secretary to establish in the Service a Data Bank of Child Support Orders and an automated directory of New Hires. (Sec. 126) Requires State plans to include procedures for recording social security numbers on certain family legal documents and records. Subtitle D: Streamlining and Uniformity of Procedures - Requires each State to have the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act in effect as of January 1, 1997. (Sec. 132) Amends the Federal judicial code to revise the procedures for a court to apply when determining which State order to recognize for purposes of continuing, exclusive jurisdiction and enforcement for child support orders. (Sec. 133) Amends SSA title IV part D to revise State plan guidelines for mandatory expedited administrative and judicial procedures to include: (1) authorized genetic testing to establish paternity; and (2) the securing of assets and increasing of monthly payments to satisfy a support arrearage. Subtitle E: Paternity Establishment - Revises the guidelines for statutorily prescribed procedures governing genetic testing and outreach for voluntary paternity acknowledgment. Subtitle F: Establishment and Modification of Support Orders - Establishes the National Child Support Guidelines Commission to determine the need for consideration by the Congress of national child support guidelines. (Sec. 152) Revises the requirements for State plan procedures for the review and adjustment of support orders. Subtitle G: Enforcement of Support Orders - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the priority of refund distribution with respect to past-due support owed to individuals. (Sec. 163) Amends SSA title IV part D to revise procedural guidelines for: (1) consent by the United States to income withholding, garnishment, and similar proceedings for enforcement of child support and alimony obligations of current and retired Federal employees; and (2) enforcement of child support obligations of current and retired members of the armed forces. (Sec. 165) Requires States to have statutorily prescribed procedures for: (1) placing liens for child support arrearages on motor vehicle titles of the debtor; (2) voiding fraudulent transfers by a child support debtor; (3) suspending any driver's, business, or occupational license issued to any person who owes past-due child support; (4) reporting to credit bureaus the name of the parent in arrears for child support; (5) extending the statute of limitations for collection on child support arrearages; and (6) calculating interest or penalties on such arrearage. (Sec. 171) Prescribes procedural guidelines for passport denial (including revocation) upon certification of nonpayment of child support. (Sec. 172) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should ratify the United Nations Convention of 1956. Requires State plans to provide that the State must treat international child support cases as interstate cases. Subtitle H: Medical Support - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to include within the definition of medical child support order an order issued through a State administrative process. Title II: Increased Access to Financial Information of Noncustodial Parents and Additional Improvements in Enforcement - Shields a depository institution from Federal or State liability for disclosing any financial record of an individual to a State child support enforcement agency. Prohibits such State agency from disclosing such a financial record except for the purpose of, and to the extent necessary in, establishing, modifying, or enforcing a child support obligation. Sets forth civil penalties for knowingly or negligently violating such prohibition. (Sec. 202) Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to prescribe circumstances under which a consumer reporting agency may furnish a consumer report to a State child support enforcement agency. (Sec. 203) Amends SSA title IV part D to prescribes guidelines under which the States are required to have statutorily prescribed procedures which mandate: (1) any child support order to provide for coverage of the health care costs of the child; and (2) employers to pay within ten days any amounts withheld from wages to pay child support obligations. Establishes a late payment penalty for failure of employers to make timely payments. (Sec. 206) Directs the Secretary to expand the Federal Parent Locator Service to establish a national network based on the comprehensive statewide child support enforcement systems developed by the States. Title III: Effective Dates - Sets forth effective dates for this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1995
Crime Control Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal criminal code to set mandatory minimum penalties for first, second, and subsequent convictions for knowingly possessing or discharging a firearm that has been moved at any time in interstate or foreign commerce during and in relation to a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime for which the person may be prosecuted in a court of any State. Prohibits: (1) a court from placing on probation or suspending the sentence of any person convicted of a violation of such provision or from imposing a term of imprisonment to run concurrently with any other term of imprisonment; and (2) the release of any person sentenced under such provision for any reason during the term imposed. Specifies that a person shall be considered to be in possession of a firearm if, in the case of: (1) a crime of violence, the person touches a firearm at the scene of the crime at any time during the commission of the crime; and (2) a drug trafficking crime, the person has a firearm readily available at the scene of the crime. Specifies an exception for persons who may be found to have committed a criminal act while acting in defense of person or property during the course of a crime being committed by another person. Specifies that such provisions shall supplement, but not supplant, State and local efforts in prosecuting crimes. Directs the Attorney General to give due deference to the interest that a State or local prosecutor has in prosecuting a person under State law. (Sec. 4) Requires the Attorney General to certify that a State, to be eligible for prison funds authorized under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, has adopted: (1) truth in sentencing laws with respect to any felony crime of violence involving the use or attempted use of force or use of a firearm against a person for which a minimum sentence of five years or more is authorized, that provide that defendants will serve at least 85 percent of the sentence ordered and that provide for a binding sentencing guideline system that limits the discretion of sentencing judges; (2) a pretrial detention system similar to that provided under the Federal criminal code; (3) sentences for murderers, sex offenders, firearm offenders where death or serious bodily injury results, and child abuse offenders that are at least as long as sentences imposed under Federal law; and (4) suitable recognition for the rights of victims, including consideration of the victim's perspective at all appropriate stages of criminal proceedings. Directs the Attorney General to disqualify or withdraw certification of a State that does not comply with such provision or has ceased making substantial progress toward compliance. Authorizes the Attorney General to waive, for up to one year, any requirements of this section with respect to a State if there are compelling law enforcement reasons. (Sec. 5) Amends the Federal criminal code to require (current law authorizes) the court to order restitution of the victim when a convicted defendant is being sentenced for specified offenses and lists expenses to be reimbursed. Authorizes a court to order restitution of any person who was harmed physically, emotionally, or pecuniarily by unlawful conduct of the defendant during the offense or during the course of a related scheme, conspiracy, or pattern of unlawful activity. Directs the court: (1) to order restitution in the full amount of the victim's losses and without consideration of the economic circumstances of the offender or the fact that a victim has received or is entitled to compensation with respect to a loss from insurance or any other source; and (2) to specify in the restitution order the manner of, and schedule for, restitution in consideration of the financial resources and obligations of the offender. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the form of payments; (2) situations where there is more than one offender or more than one victim; (3) compensation with respect to losses from insurance or other sources; (4) set-offs against amounts later recovered as compensatory damages by the victim in Federal and State civil proceedings; and (5) payment by the offender to an entity designated by the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts. Makes compliance with a restitution order a condition of any form of release of an offender. Provides for the enforcement of restitution orders. Authorizes: (1) a victim or offender to petition the court to modify a restitution order in view of a change in the economic circumstances of the offender; and (2) the court to refer any issue arising in connection with a proposed restitution order to a magistrate or special master for proposed findings of fact and recommendations as to disposition, subject to a de novo determination of the issue by the court. (Sec. 6) Requires the Attorney General to implement and enforce regulations mandating prison work for all able-bodied inmates in Federal penal and correctional institutions and prohibiting the provision by the Government in inmates' cells of television, radio, telephone, stereo, or other similar amenities.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1995
Guardianship Rights and Responsibilities Act of 1995 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to reduce the Federal share of Medicaid payments available to States which fail to adopt the rights, standards, and duties in this Act concerning guardianship. Requires that an individual subject to a guardianship petition: (1) be provided with notice of all pending guardianship proceedings, rights afforded during a proceeding, and the possible consequences of a determination of incapacity; and (2) have the right to counsel, to have the question of incapacity heard by a jury, and to file an appeal against a determination of incapacity and a guardianship order. Requires that determinations of incapacity be made only under certain circumstances. Sets forth requirements of training for court personnel in guardianship hearings. Requires that: (1) personal preferences of wards in the selection of guardians be taken into account; and (2) a guardianship be imposed on a ward in the least restrictive manner commensurate with the ward's functional limitations. Sets forth requirements for the appointment of a person as a guardian. Requires a guardian to keep the court which issued the guardianship order informed of the ward's affairs and whereabouts and use of the ward's funds only for the administration of the guardianship and the ward's benefit. Provides that a court in a State into which a ward moves shall be notified of the existence of a guardianship, and receive information on and assume jurisdiction over, such guardianship. Requires annual court reviews of guardianship orders. Requires private professional guardians to meet certain certification requirements. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award demonstration grants to eligible States for guardianship advocate programs. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1995
Expresses the sense of the Congress concerning: (1) the need for adequate studies on breast cancer screenings for women between the ages of 40 and 49; and (2) the National Cancer Institute's statement and guidelines regarding such screenings.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1995
Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Consent Act - Grants the consent of the Congress to the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact entered into by the States of Maine, Texas, and Vermont.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1995
International Peacekeeping Policy Act of 1995 - Prohibits funds made available to the Department of State under the Contributions for International Peacekeeping Activities Account or under any law to pay for contributions for United Nations peacekeeping activities from being available to the United Nations for the establishment, expansion, or modification in mission of a United Nations peacekeeping operation unless the President: (1) makes the certification required by this Act; and (2) notifies the Congress, at least 15 days before the approval of the operation by the United Nations Security Council, of the intent to support the operation. Directs the President to certify that the peacekeeping operation meets the following requirements: (1) the operation involves an international conflict in which hostilities have ceased and all significant parties to the conflict agree to the imposition of United Nations forces to seek a solution to the conflict; (2) the percentage of the U.S.-assessed share of the operation is no greater than the percentage of the share for the regular United Nations budget; (3) no U.S. intelligence information involving sensitive sources and methods of intelligence gathering will be provided to support the operation; and (4) with respect to units of the armed forces trained to carry out direct combat missions, the operation advances U.S. national security interests, the units are critical to the success of the operation and will be under the command of the United States, and any armed forces member would be protected by the Geneva Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1995
Urges the President to reconsider and withdraw diplomatic recognition from the Skopje regime until it: (1) renounces its use of the name Macedonia; (2) removes language from its constitution calling for unification of neighboring territories with the Macedonian Republic; (3) removes symbols which imply territorial expansion such as the Star of Vergina in its flag; (4) ceases propaganda against Greece; and (5) adheres fully to Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe norms and principles.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a general business tax credit, in the case of defense contractors, for defense conversion employee retraining expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 1995
Amends the Defense Economic Adjustment, Diversification, Conversion, and Stabilization Act of 1990 to require the Economic Development Administration, in making economic adjustment assistance available under such Act, to give priority to communities substantially and seriously affected by the closure or realignment of a military installation or the curtailment, completion, elimination, or realignment of a major defense contract or subcontract.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Tax Treatment of Long-Term Care Insurance Title II: Establishment of Federal Standards for Long-Term Care Insurance Title III: Deduction for Certain Expenses for Dependents with Alzheimer's Disease or Related Organic Brain Disorders Title IV: Dependent Care Credit Expanded and Made Refundable Title I: Tax Treatment of Long-Term Care Insurance - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the treatment of qualified long-term care insurance or plans as accident and health insurance or plans for purposes of insurance company taxation. (Sec. 102) Excludes from gross income benefits provided under a long-term care insurance contract. Includes in gross income employer-provided coverage for long-term care services. (Sec. 103) Allows a tax credit for a percentage of eligible long-term care premiums. (Sec. 104) Includes amounts paid for qualified long-term care services as medical expenses for individual itemized deductions. Includes any parent or grandparent as a dependent for purposes of such expenses. (Sec. 105) Requires long-term care insurance contracts to use a one-year full preliminary term tax reserve method. (Sec. 106) Excludes from gross income certain amounts withdrawn from individual retirement accounts and certain employer cash or deferred arrangements to pay long-term care premiums. (Sec. 107) Provides for the exclusion as a death benefit of any amount paid or advanced to an individual under a life insurance contract because such individual is terminally ill, chronically ill, or has been permanently confined to a qualified facility. (Sec. 108) Allows insurance companies to issue accelerated death benefit riders on life insurance contracts. (Sec. 109) Permits long-term care insurance contracts to be offered in cafeteria plans. Title II: Establishment of Federal Standards for Long-Term Care Insurance - Amends the Public Health Service Act to mandate the establishment of model Federal standards for long-term care insurance. Prohibits the offering of a long-term care insurance policy in a State unless the State has a regulatory program meeting the requirements of this Act or the policy has been certified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Authorizes grants to States for demonstration programs to improve enforcement of the standards. Authorizes appropriations. Imposes on agents selling long-term policies a duty of good faith and fair dealing. Prohibits twisting, high pressure tactics, and cold lead advertising. Mandates minimum financial standards, including income and asset criteria, for advising individuals considering the purchase of a long-term policy. Prohibits sales: (1) to an individual eligible for assistance under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act; (2) of duplicate service policies; and (3) of policies that reduce, limit, or coordinate benefits on the basis of eligibility for other coverage or benefits. Provides for: (1) criminal and civil penalties; and (2) agent training and certification. Sets forth additional carrier responsibilities relating to refunding of premiums, mailing of policies, providing information on denials of claims, and reporting of information. Prohibits cancellation or nonrenewal of a long-term care policy except for nonpayment of premium or material misrepresentation. Sets forth continuation and conversion rights for group policies, regulating premiums for converted policies. Requires guaranteed issuance to an individual if the individual meets the minimum medical requirements of the policy. Mandates standards regarding upgraded benefits. Limits cancellation for nonpayment by an incapacitated individual. Requires: (1) subject to exceptions, uniform language and definitions, a uniform format, and at least one standard benefit package; and (2) disclosure of certain matters, including an outline of coverage. Mandates recommendations by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) regarding informing consumers on the long-term economic viability of long-term care insurance carriers. Limits certain conditions on benefits. Requires, if benefits are provided for home health care or community-based services, that certain minimum benefits be provided. Prohibits treating cognitive or mental impairments (including Alzheimer's disease and mental illness) differently from other medical conditions. Limits preexisting condition requirements. Requires: (1) each claimant to have a functional assessment by an individual or entity meeting NAIC qualifications and unconnected to the policy issuer; (2) inflation protection, unless rejected in writing by a policyholder; (3) disclosure of certain premium increases; and (4) nonforfeiture benefits. Prohibits a carrier from contesting a policy or claim based on fraud or misrepresentation unless notice is provided within a time period set by NAIC. Establishes the right of a purchaser to return a policy within a specified period. Defines "long-term care insurance policy," excluding: (1) any basic Medicare supplemental policies; (2) other insurance offered primarily to provide specified types of coverage; and (3) certain life insurance policies. Authorizes grants for programs to provide information, counseling, and assistance regarding the procurement of long-term insurance. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Deduction for Certain Expenses for Dependents with Alzheimer's Disease or Related Organic Brain Disorders - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual an income tax deduction for qualified home health care and adult day and respite care expenses with respect to a dependent who: (1) resides with the taxpayer; (2) suffers from Alzheimer's disease or a related organic brain disorder; and (3) is physically or mentally incapable of self-care. Title IV: Dependent Care Credit Expanded and Made Refundable - Repeals the Internal Revenue Code's nonrefundable income tax credit for employment-related dependent care expenses, replacing it with a corresponding refundable 50 percent credit, reduced (but not below 20 percent) as the taxpayer's adjusted gross income exceeds $15,000 (adjusted for inflation). Includes within the scope of the new credit up to $1,200 ($2,400 in the case of more than one qualifying individual) of respite care expenses incurred in the care of: (1) a dependent of the taxpayer who is at least 13 years old; or (2) a spouse or other dependent who is physically or mentally incapable of self-care.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual an income tax deduction for qualified home health care and adult day and respite care expenses with respect to a dependent who: (1) resides with the taxpayer; (2) is a dependent of the taxpayer; and (3) suffers from Alzheimer's disease (or a related organic brain disorder) and is physically or mentally incapable of self-care.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 1995
Bottled Water Standards Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, after the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency promulgates a national primary drinking water regulation for a contaminant under the Safe Drinking Water Act, to issue a regulation for that contaminant in bottled water or make a finding that a regulation is not necessary to protect the public health because the contaminant is not present in bottled water. Requires the relevant maximum contaminant level or treatment technique for the contaminant in bottled water to be as stringent or protective as that for the contaminant in drinking water systems. Makes the drinking water regulation the standard for bottled water if the Secretary fails to establish a regulation.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make dislocated employees eligible for the targeted jobs credit. Defines a dislocated employee as an individual: (1) who was employed on a military installation; and (2) whose job was terminated as a result of the closing or realignment of such installation under a defense base closure law or a reduction in force at such installation.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 1995
Directs the President to consolidate within, and coordinate through, the Executive Office of the President all defense conversion, reinvestment, and transition assistance programs of the Department of Defense. Establishes in the Executive Office a Special Assistant to the President for Economic and Defense Conversion. Directs the Secretary of Defense to transfer the Office of Economic Adjustment and the Advanced Research Projects Agency to the jurisdiction of the National Economic Council in the Executive Office of the President. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to transfer the Economic Conversion Information Exchange to the same jurisdiction.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 1995
Repeals the Internal Revenue Code's nonrefundable income tax credit for employment-related dependent care expenses, replacing it with a corresponding refundable 50 percent credit, reduced (but not below 20 percent) as the taxpayer's adjusted gross income exceeds $15,000 (adjusted for inflation). Includes within the scope of the new credit up to $1,200 ($2,400 in the case of more than one qualifying individual) of respite care expenses incurred in the care of: (1) a dependent of the taxpayer who is at least 13 years old; or (2) a spouse or other dependent who is physically or mentally incapable of self-care.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 1995
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that a monthly benefit shall be paid to the recipient's surviving spouse for the month in which the recipient dies, subject to a reduction of 50 percent in the last monthly payment if the recipient dies during the first 15 days of such month.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1995
Flow Control Act of 1995 - Authorizes a State or qualified political subdivision to exercise flow control authority for municipal solid waste, incinerator ash, and construction or demolition debris generated within its boundaries if, before May 15, 1994, such entity: (1) adopted a law, regulation, or legally binding provision that contains such authority and directs the waste, ash, or debris to a waste management facility designated before such date or identifies the use of waste management methods; and (2) committed to the designation of a facility for such methods. Authorizes such an entity to exercise such authority for voluntarily relinquished recyclable materials generated within its boundaries. Establishes similar authority for States and subdivisions that meet such requirements after this Act's enactment. Provides that laws, regulations, or legally binding provisions that implement flow control authority shall be considered to be a reasonable regulation of commerce. Permits such authority with respect to recyclable materials only if: (1) the generator or owner of the materials voluntarily made the materials available to the State or subdivision and relinquished any rights to, or ownership of, such materials; and (2) the State or subdivision assumes such rights or ownership. Allows such authority with respect to solid waste or recyclable materials only if the State or subdivision establishes a program to separate or divert recyclable materials for purposes of recycling, reclamation, or reuse. Makes such condition inapplicable in certain cases. Establishes additional conditions on the exercise of flow control authority, including requirements that: (1) such authority is necessary to meet current or anticipated waste management needs; (2) revenues derived from the exercise of such authority are devoted primarily to solid waste management services; and (3) States and subdivisions implement a competitive designation process with respect to waste management facilities or facilities for recyclable materials. Retains the applicability of certain existing laws and contracts and considers such laws and contracts to be a reasonable regulation of commerce.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Strengthening International Sanctions Against the Castro Government Title II: Support for a Free and Independent Cuba Title III: Protection of American Property Rights Abroad Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1995 - Title I: Strengthening International Sanctions Against the Castro Government - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the President should instruct the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations to seek within the Security Council a mandatory international embargo against the Cuban Government; and (2) efforts by any independent state of the former Soviet Union to make the nuclear facility at Cienfuegos operational will have a detrimental impact on U.S. assistance to such state. (Sec. 102) Reaffirms a provision of the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992 which states that the President should encourage foreign countries to restrict trade and credit relations with Cuba. Urges the President to take steps to apply sanctions described by such Act against countries assisting Cuba. Directs the President to instruct the Secretary of the Treasury and the Attorney General to enforce the Cuban Assets Control Regulations. (Sec. 103) Makes it unlawful for any U.S. person to extend knowingly any loan or other financing to a foreign person that traffics in property confiscated by the Cuban Government the claim to which is owned by a U.S. person. Terminates such prohibition upon termination of the economic embargo of Cuba. (Sec. 104) Directs the Secretary to instruct the U.S. executive directors of the international financial institutions to vote against the admission of Cuba as a member of such institutions until Cuba holds free and fair democratic elections. Requires the President to support Cuba's membership in such institutions during the period that a transition government is in power, subject to the membership taking effect after a democratically-elected government is in power. Reduces U.S. payments to institutions that approve assistance to Cuba over the opposition of the United States. (Sec. 105) States that the President should instruct the U.S. Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States to vote against the readmission of Cuba to membership until a democratically-elected government is in power. (Sec. 106) Directs the President to report to the appropriate congressional committees on progress towards the withdrawal of personnel of any independent state of the former Soviet Union from the Cienfuegos nuclear facility. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to make ineligible for assistance any independent state that is providing assistance for, or engaging in nonmarket based trade with, Cuba. Withholds from assistance allocated for an independent state an amount equal to the assistance and credits provided by such state in support of military and intelligence facilities in Cuba. (Sec. 107) Requires the Director of the U.S. Information Agency to implement a conversion of television broadcasting to Cuba under the Television Marti Service to ultra high frequency broadcasting. (Sec. 108) Directs the President to report annually to the appropriate congressional committees on other countries' commerce with, and assistance to, Cuba. (Sec. 109) Prohibits the importation into U.S. customs territory of any sugars, syrups, and molasses that are the product of a country that has imported Cuban sugar, syrups, or molasses. Makes such prohibition inapplicable if such country certifies to the President that it will not import Cuban sugar, syrups, or molasses until free and fair elections are held in Cuba. Authorizes the President to reallocate to other countries the quota of sugars, syrups, and molasses allocated to such a country during the period in which a prohibition is in effect. Title II: Support for a Free and Independent Cuba - Authorizes the President to provide assistance for the Cuban people after a transition or a democratically-elected government is in power. Limits assistance to a transition government to humanitarian assistance. Expands assistance to a democratically-elected government to include assistance to promote free market development, private enterprise, and a mutually beneficial trade relationship between the United States and Cuba. (Sec. 202) Directs the President to determine whether to designate Cuba as a beneficiary country pursuant to the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act. Permits such designation to be made only after a democratically-elected government is in power. Amends such Act to make Cuba eligible for such designation. Declares that the President, upon transmittal to the Congress of a determination that a democratically-elected government is in power in Cuba, should take steps to extend nondiscriminatory trade treatment (most-favored-nation status) to Cuban products and to encourage investment in Cuba. (Sec. 204) Terminates the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba upon the President's transmittal to the Congress of a determination that a democratically-elected government is in power in Cuba. (Sec. 205) Sets forth conditions under which a government in Cuba will be considered transitional or democratic. Title III: Protection of American Property Rights Abroad - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exclude from the United States aliens involved in the confiscation of property owned by U.S. persons. (Sec. 302) Sets forth provisions regarding liability for damages owed to U.S. persons by persons or governments trafficking in confiscated property. Grants U.S. district courts exclusive jurisdiction over such actions. (Sec. 303) Amends the International Claims Settlement Act of 1949 to authorize a U.S. national to bring a claim resulting from expropriation actions of the Cuban Government to the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission for certification of the amount and validity whether or not the U.S. national qualified as a U.S. national at the time of the action. Requires claimants to be U.S. nationals at the time of confiscation in the case of property confiscated after the date of the enactment of the LIBERTAD Act of 1995. Repeals a time limitation on completion of the Commission's settlement of claims against China and Cuba.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1995
Terrorist Exclusion Act of 1995 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make membership in a terrorist organization a basis for exclusion from the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1995
Commercial Aviation Fuel Tax Repeal Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the increase in tax on fuel used in commercial aviation scheduled to take effect after September 30, 1995.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1995
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1995
Missing Service Personnel Act of 1995 - Requires the military commander of the unit, facility, or area to which the following persons are assigned to conduct an investigation as to their whereabouts after receiving factual information that their status is uncertain: (1) military personnel who disappear during a period of war, national emergency, or hostilities; and (2) any civilian Federal employee (including an employee of a Federal contractor) who serves with or accompanies an armed force in the field during such a period. Requires such persons to be placed in a missing status and requires notification of such status to either the officer having general court-martial authority over the person (for military personnel) or the Secretary of the military department employing such person (for civilian and contractor employees). Requires such officials to be kept informed (specifies deadlines) as to all information and inquiries concerning efforts to locate such missing personnel. Requires such officials to appoint a board to conduct an inquiry into the whereabouts and status of such persons. Provides for: (1) board composition, activities, and access to information; (2) inquiry proceedings (requiring the appointment of counsel, with specified duties, to represent the missing person); (3) a board recommendation as to the official status of a person following such an inquiry; (4) board reports to the officials involved as to board conclusions (prohibiting public availability of such reports for a one-year period); (5) report review by the official; (6) a report from such official to interested persons; and (7) an additional investigation and inquiry by an additional board upon receipt of new information within one year after the date of the first official notice of a person's disappearance. Allows interested persons (family members, dependents, next of kin) to participate at the proceedings of the board during such additional inquiry. Provides for the availability of appropriate information to board personnel conducting investigations and inquiries. Provides similar procedures for the second board with respect to meetings (open to the public, with exceptions), recommendations, reports, review by the Secretary of the military department concerned, and reports to interested persons. Requires a board to be reconvened when information becomes available that would directly lead to a determination of a person's status. Requires the Secretary concerned to appoint a board to conduct an inquiry as to the status of a missing person: (1) on or about three years after the first official notice of the disappearance of such person; and (2) not later than every three years thereafter until a total of 12 years after the first official notice. Provides for: (1) the release to a board by the Secretary concerned of all personnel file information concerning missing persons; (2) the treatment of classified information; (3) penalties for the wrongful withholding of information; (4) limited circumstances under which a board may recommend that a missing person be declared officially dead; (5) the submission by the board of appropriate information if such recommendation occurs; and (6) judicial review for interested persons of a board decision to declare a person officially dead. Provides for the appointment of a board to review the status of a person previously declared dead, with board procedures similar to those described above. Requires a person previously declared dead or in a missing status who is subsequently found alive to be paid for the full time of their absence. Directs the Secretary concerned, upon the enlistment or commission of a person in an armed force, to require such person to specify in writing his or her dependents, immediate family, primary next of kin, and any other individual that the person shall designate for purposes of this Act. Allows for revision of such designation at any time.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1995
Older Americans' Freedom to Work Act of 1995 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to remove the limitation on the amount of outside income (earnings test) which beneficiaries who have attained retirement age may earn without incurring a reduction in benefits.
![Official portrait of Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000663_200.jpg)