United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1997 - Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to revise and rename it the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1997. Instructs the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to: (1) develop and operate an integrated management system for the storage and permanent disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste; (2) store spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste beginning no later than November 30, 1999, at designated facilities pursuant to certain interim storage facility contracts; (3) provide for the transportation of such wastes (using systems and components procured and manufactured in the United States); and (4) engage private sector participation to the greatest extent possible in the implementation of this Act. Shields the United States from any financial liability for the Secretary's failure to meet acceptance or emplacement deadlines under this Act. Establishes an integrated management system for spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste, including its storage, transportation, and disposal. Sets a deadline for development of the capability to commence rail to truck intermodal transfer from the mainline rail line at Caliente, Nevada, to the interim storage facility site. Directs the Secretary to offer to enter into a prescribed benefits agreement with Lincoln County, Nevada, including a payment schedule. Requires conveyance to such County of specified Federal lands. Prescribes procedural guidelines for the availability beginning by November 30, 1999, of safe transportation for spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste from sites designated by the contract holders to mainline transportation facilities using routes that minimize transportation through populated areas. Requires development by such date of a comprehensive management plan that ensures safe transportation from sites designated by the contract holders to the interim storage facility site. Prescribes general transportation requirements, including public education programs for States, local governments, and Indian tribes through whose jurisdiction the Secretary plans to transport substantial amounts of spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste. Requires a transporter of nuclear waste under contract with the Secretary to comply with all governmental and Indian tribal transportation regulations. Instructs the Secretary of Transportation to promulgate employee protection training standards for workers directly involved in nuclear waste transportation, storage, and disposal. Sets forth a phased schedule for the Secretary to begin operating an interim nuclear waste storage facility; but prohibits construction activities before December 31, 1998. Instructs the Secretary to: (1) cease all but termination activities at the Yucca Mountain site if the President determines it is unsuitable for repository development; (2) present a viability assessment of the site to the President and the Congress by a specified deadline; and (3) proceed with all activities necessary to begin acceptance of nuclear waste at another interim storage facility site designated by the President. Precludes construction activities, however, until the site has been approved by law. Prescribes two-tiered design and licensing phases for the site. Instructs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to issue generally applicable standards for the protection of the public from releases of radioactive materials or radioactivity from the repository. Mandates that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) repository licensing determinations for the protection of the public be based solely upon a finding that the repository can be operated in conformance with an overall system performance standard that incorporates the Administrator's radiation protection standards. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants (including financial and technical assistance) to enable affected Indian tribes or local governmental units to monitor and review the impact of the integrated management system upon residents at the Yucca Mountain site. Directs the Secretary to offer an affected local government unit the opportunity to designate an on-site representative to conduct oversight activities at an interim storage facility or repository site. Provides that acceptance of benefits under this Act by any affected Indian tribe or local government shall not be deemed an expression of consent to the siting of an interim storage facility or repository in Nevada. Instructs the Secretary of the Interior to convey all Federal interest in specified property to Nye County, Nevada. Prescribes contract guidelines for the Secretary to accept title to, and transport, store, and dispose of spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste. Prescribes a schedule of annual fees payable to the Secretary of Energy for electricity generated by civilian nuclear power reactors, and of a one-time fee for spent nuclear fuel used in such generation. States that payment of the latter one-time fee relieves the payer of further financial obligation to the Federal Government for its long-term storage or permanent disposal of spent fuel or waste derived from spent nuclear fuel used to generate electricity in a civilian power reactor before January 7, 1983. Mandates annual fee reviews, and adjustment proposals to the Congress if appropriate. Continues the Nuclear Waste Fund. Establishes the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management within the Department of Energy, whose Director shall be directly responsible to the Secretary for executing the Secretary's functions under this Act. Directs the Secretary to issue a final rule establishing the appropriate portion of the costs of managing high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel allocable to the interim storage or permanent disposal of high-level radioactive waste from atomic energy defense activities and spent nuclear fuel from foreign research reactors. Authorizes appropriations. Preempts State and local law in favor of this Act and the Atomic Energy Act. Grants U.S. courts of appeals original and exclusive jurisdiction over civil actions under this Act. Prescribes guidelines for NRC licensing hearings about facility expansions and transshipments. Prohibits the Secretary from conducting site-specific activities for a second repository unless the Congress has specifically authorized and appropriated funds for them. Requires the NRC to promulgate regulatory guidelines for: (1) financial arrangements for low-level radioactive waste site closures; and (2) training and qualification of civilian nuclear powerplant personnel. Delineates an emplacement schedule for contract holders' spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste. States that the Secretary's acceptance of spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste constitutes a transfer of title to the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) accept all spent nuclear fuel withdrawn from Dairyland Power Cooperative's La Crosse Reactor; and (2) pay for the on-site storage of such fuel until DOE removes it from the site. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a Decommissioning Pilot Program to decommission and decontaminate the sodium-cooled fast breeder experimental test-site reactor located in northwest Arkansas. Prohibits the use of the Nuclear Waste Fund for such Pilot Program. Declares that nothing in this or any other Federal law shall be construed as a reservation of Federal water or water rights for any purpose arising under this Act. Authorizes the United States to acquire and exercise such rights, subject to certain restrictions. Continues the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to take necessary action to improve the management of the civilian radioactive waste management program to ensure to the maximum extent its operation like a private business. Directs the Secretary to: (1) create a value engineering function within the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management; and (2) employ, on an on-going basis, integrated performance modeling regarding site characterization. Declares that this Act shall become effective one day after enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
Provider-Sponsored Organization Act of 1997 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to give Medicare beneficiaries the option of receiving Medicare coverage through enrollment with provider-sponsored organizations (PSOs) organized and licensed under State law, and certified as meeting certain Federal standards. Requires a PSO to be a qualified health maintenance organization (HMO) and meet other specified criteria. (Sec. 3) Authorizes the Secretary to pay all Medicare health plans on a partial risk basis. (Sec. 4) Requires a PSO to: (1) deliver a spectrum of health care services (including basic hospital and physicians services) to enrolled purchasers; and (2) provide a substantial proportion of the health care items and services under its Medicare contract through the provider or affiliated group of providers composing the organization. Provides for direct Federal Medicare certification as a qualified PSO through calendar 2001. Authorizes State licensure of PSOs after January 1, 2002, only if: (1) State financial solvency and capital adequacy standards are identical with Federal standards; and (2) State licensure standards are substantially equivalent to Federal standards. Allows a PSO seeking to operate under a full-risk contract or a partial risk contract to apply to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for waiver of State licensure if: (1) the State has failed to act on the PSO's State application within a certain period of time; or (2) the State has denied the PSO's application, but the State's licensing standards or review process impose unreasonable barriers to market entry. Declares that a fiscally sound PSO meets Medicare financial solvency requirements. Prescribes general requirements for a PSO's ongoing quality assurance program (including case-by-case utilization review). Treats such requirements as met if the PSO is accredited by a private organization under a process approved by the Secretary. (Sec. 5) Treats Medicare-eligible organizations, including PSOs, as meeting the "50-50" enrollment composition rule (which requires that a health plan's Medicare and Medicaid enrollees cannot exceed 50 percent of its total enrollment) if they demonstrate: (1) their capability of providing coordinated care in accordance with the quality assurance standards established by this Act; and (2) their experience providing coordinated care to enrollees of a health plan or State Medicaid plan. Reduces enrollment size requirements for eligible organizations under Medicare. (Sec. 6) Permits computation of the adjusted community rate of payment for services for a qualified PSO using data in the general commercial marketplace or (during a transition period) based on costs incurred by the PSO in providing a product. (Sec. 7) Sets forth physician-participation procedure requirements. (Sec. 8) Directs the Secretary to: (1) issue regulations regarding qualified PSO standards; and (2) establish a process for certification of qualified PSOs (including a discretionary application fee). (Sec. 9) Directs the Secretary to provide for demonstration projects in at least ten States that permit Medicaid programs to be treated as Medicare-eligible organizations for individuals eligible to enroll with a Medicare organization and also eligible for Medicaid, for the purpose of demonstrating the delivery of primary, acute, and long-term care through an integrated delivery network that emphasizes noninstitutional care. (Sec. 10) Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on Medicare partial-risk contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
Extends veterans' benefits to an individual who served as a member of the U.S. merchant marine between August 16, 1945, and December 31, 1946, who, during that period, was licensed or otherwise documented by an officer or employee of the United States authorized to license or document such an individual as a crewmember of a vessel that at the time of service was: (1) operated by the War Shipping Administration or the Office of Defense Transportation, or an agent thereof; (2) operated in waters other than inland waters, the Great Lakes, other lakes, bays, and harbors of the United States; (3) under contract, charter to, or property of, the U.S. Government; and (4) serving the armed forces. Establishes application procedures. Requires the issuance of a certificate of honorable discharge to an individual who performed qualified service. Deems qualified service to be active duty in the armed forces during a period of war for purposes of eligibility for benefits. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) reimbursement of the Secretary for benefits provided under this Act; and (2) an application processing fee.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
Constitutional Amendment - Grants authority to: (1) the Congress to set reasonable limits on contributions and expenditures made by, in support of, or in opposition to, a candidate for nomination or election to Federal office; (2) a State to set reasonable limits on contributions and expenditures made by, in support of, or in opposition to, a candidate for nomination or election to State or local office; and (3) the Congress to implement and enforce this amendment by legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits outlays for a fiscal year (except those for repayment of debt principal) from exceeding total receipts (except those derived from borrowing) for that fiscal year unless the Congress, by a three-fifths roll call vote of each House, authorizes a specific excess of outlays over receipts. Requires a three-fifths roll call vote of each House to increase the public debt. Directs the President to submit a balanced budget to the Congress. Requires the approval of a majority of each House by roll call vote before any bill to increase revenue may become law. Authorizes the Congress to waive these provisions when: (1) a declaration of war is in effect; or (2) the United States is engaged in a military conflict which poses a threat to national security as declared by a joint resolution adopted by a majority of each House. Makes this article effective beginning with FY 2002 or with the second fiscal year beginning after its ratification, whichever is later.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Federal Commitment to Urban Economic Development Title II: Tax Incentives to Stimulate Urban Economic Development Title III: Community-Based Housing Development Title IV: Response to Urban Environmental Challenges New Urban Agenda Act of 1997 - Title I: Federal Commitment to Urban Economic Development - Amends the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to require executive agencies to expend not less than 15 percent in each fiscal year for the purchase of goods from businesses located in empowerment zones, enterprise communities, or enterprise zones. Requires agencies, to the maximum extent practicable, to purchase recycled products from businesses located in such zones. (Sec. 102) Requires not less than 15 percent of foreign assistance provided in a fiscal year to be in the form of credits for the purchase of U.S. goods produced, manufactured, or assembled in such zones. (Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary of Commerce, in designating and providing financial assistance to Manufacturing Technology Outreach Centers, to give preference to centers located in such zones. (Sec. 104) Establishes a preference for the construction, improvement, or relocation of Federal facilities in distressed urban areas. Title II: Tax Incentives to Stimulate Urban Economic Development - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the offset for rental real estate activities under passive activity rules to increase the rehabilitation credit under such rules. (Sec. 202) Allows the rehabilitation investment credit to offset a portion of tentative minimum tax. (Sec. 203) Allows the issuance of tax-exempt facility bonds for sports facilities, convention or trade show facilities, freestanding parking facilities, air or water pollution control facilities, or industrial parks. Makes termination dates on such tax-exempt bonds inapplicable to bonds issued to finance manufacturing facilities. (Sec. 204) Increases the permitted amount of qualified small issue bonds for facilities to be used by related persons. (Sec. 205) Provides an exception to arbitrage interest rebate provisions if 100 percent of available construction proceeds are spent for governmental purposes within three years of the issuance of the tax-exempt bonds. (Sec. 206) Makes 75 percent of a qualified residential project bond exempt from State agency volume caps for the issuance of tax-exempt private activity bonds. (Sec. 207) Increases the amount and duration of the targeted jobs tax credit to 50 (currently 40) percent of the qualifying wages earned for the first three years (currently, only for the first year) of the employment. (Sec. 208) Excludes from gross income any qualified capital gain recognized on the sale or exchange of a qualified zone asset (stock, property, or partnership interest that was part of an enterprise zone business) held more than three years. Provides for the tax treatment of pass-thru entities and sales and exchanges of interests in partnerships and S corporations which are qualified zone businesses. Title III: Community-Based Housing Development - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to study and report to the Comptroller General on the feasibility of consolidating existing public and low-income housing programs into a comprehensive block grant system of Federal aid and on the possibility of administering future programs through such a system. Requires the Comptroller General to report to the Congress with an analysis of such report and recommendations. (Sec. 302) Provides, subject to the approval of both the unit of general local government and the local public housing agency, for the reconstruction of public housing dwelling units on the same property on which such units were demolished or disposed, and for the relocation of displaced tenants to such new units. Title IV: Response to Urban Environmental Challenges -Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to prohibit the President or any other person from bringing an enforcement action under such Act, with respect to a facility located in an urban area that is not listed on the National Priorities List, against a person that has fulfilled all requirements under State and local law to conduct environmental response actions at such facility. (Sec. 402) Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to maintain the brownfield program (a program for the expansion or redevelopment of abandoned or underused commercial or industrial property at which a hazardous substance may be present) established by the Administrator before the enactment of this section. Limits to $200,000 the maximum grant to any single brownfield facility. Authorizes appropriations for such program for FY 1998 through 2000 out of the Hazardous Substance Superfund.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
Biomedical Research Commitment Resolution of 1997 - Expresses the sense of the Senate that appropriations for the National Institutes of Health should be increased by 100 percent over the next five fiscal years.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1996
Fair Trade Practices Act of 1996 - Directs the President to report annually to the Congress the identities of: (1) foreign persons and concerns that engage in certain foreign corrupt trade practices; and (2) foreign countries that do not have in effect or do not enforce laws similar to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977. Authorizes the President to impose specified sanctions upon countries that are not making a good faith effort to enact or enforce such laws.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1996
Pharmaceutical Equity Act of 1996 - Extends for a two-year period the term of any patent in force on September 24, 1984, and on this Act's effective date, that claims a drug product or a method of using or manufacturing it from the product's expiration date if: (1) an exemption became effective for the drug product before September 24, 1984; (2) the regulatory review period for such product exceeded 120 months or 60 months, as appropriate. Provides that during such extensions, the rights in the extended patents shall be the same as those that existed before their expirations, thereby guarding against patent infringements during the extensions. Requires: (1) the patentee to notify the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks of such patent extended number; and (2) the Commissioner to confirm the patent extension by placing a notice thereof in the official file of the patent and to publish an appropriate notice in the Official Gazette of the Patent and Trademark Office.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1996
Federal Law Enforcement Dependents Assistance Act of 1996 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide educational assistance to the dependents of civilian Federal law enforcement officers who are killed or are permanently and totally disabled in the line of duty. Authorizes the Attorney General to discontinue such assistance upon finding that the recipient fails to maintain satisfactory progress. Authorizes retroactive assistance to each eligible dependent of a Federal law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty on or after May 1, 1992. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1996
Declares that the Congress: (1) condemns human rights abuses and denials of religious liberty to Christians around the world and calls upon the responsible regimes to cease such abuses; (2) recommends that the President expand and invigorate U.S. international advocacy on behalf of persecuted Christians and initiate a thorough examination of all U.S. policies that affect persecuted Christians; (3) encourages the President to proceed expeditiously in appointing a White House special advisor on religious persecution; and (4) recognizes and applauds the day of prayer recognizing the plight of persecuted Christians worldwide.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1996
Mental Health Parity Act of 1996 - Requires a group health plan that applies an aggregate lifetime (or annual) limit for medical or surgical services, if the plan also provides a mental health benefit, to include mental health payments in that limit or establish a separate aggregate lifetime (or annual) limit for mental health services, with the mental health limit not less than the medical or surgical limit. Prohibits a group health plan that does not apply a medical or surgical limit from applying a mental health limit. Exempts employers with fewer than 26 employees.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1996
Drug-Induced Rape Prevention Act of 1996 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to prescribe penalties of 20 years' imprisonment and a fine for distributing a controlled substance to an individual without that person's knowledge with intent to rape such individual. Enhances penalties for certain activities involving flunitrazepam under: (1) the CSA, including manufacturing, distributing, or possessing with intent to distribute specified quantities of flunitrazepam; and (2) the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act, including possessing, manufacturing, and distributing flunitrazepam for purposes of unlawful importation. Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to amend the Sentencing Guidelines so that one dosage unit of flunitrazepam shall be equivalent to one gram of marihuana for determining the offense level under the Drug Quantity Table.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1996
Commends Operation Sail and encourages its continuation into the next millennium. Encourages all individuals to join in the celebration of the 224th birthday of the United States of America and the international camaraderie that Operation Sail and the International Naval Review will foster.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1996
Expresses condolences to the loved ones of the victims of the crash of TWA flight 800 and hope that the cause of this tragedy will be determined as soon as possible.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Importation of Methamphetamine and Precursor Chemicals Title II: Provisions to Control the Manufacture of Methamphetamine Title III: Increased Penalties for Trafficking and Manufacture of Methamphetamine and Precursors Title IV: Legal Manufacture, Distribution, and Sale of Precursor Chemicals Title V: Education and Research Comprehensive Methamphetamine Control Act of 1996 - Title I: Importation of Methamphetamine and Precursor Chemicals - Directs the Attorney General to coordinate international drug enforcement efforts to decrease the movement of methamphetamine and methamphetamine precursors into the United States. (Sec. 102) Amends the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (CSIEA) to: (1) make specified prohibitions against the possession, manufacture, or distribution for purposes of unlawful importation of a schedule I or II controlled substance applicable to a listed chemical; and (2) set penalties of a fine and ten years' imprisonment for manufacturing, possessing with intent to distribute, or distributing a listed chemical in violation of such prohibitions. Title II: Provisions to Control the Manufacture of Methamphetamine - Amends the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to: (1) include chemicals within the scope of provisions regarding penalties for simple possession; and (2) prohibit knowingly or intentionally possessing a list I chemical obtained pursuant to or under authority of a registration that has expired or that has been revoked or suspended or if the registrant has ceased to do business in the manner contemplated by his registration. Amends the CSA and the Tariff Act of 1930 to permit the seizure and forfeiture of list I chemicals involved in illegal trafficking. (Sec. 202) Directs: (1) the Attorney General to study and report to the Congress on measures to prevent the diversion of agents used in methamphetamine production; and (2) the United States Sentencing Commission (the Commission) to amend the sentencing guidelines to ensure that the manufacture of methamphetamine in violation of the CSA is treated as a significant violation. (Sec. 203) Amends the CSA to increase penalties for the manufacture and possession of equipment used to make controlled substances. (Sec. 204) Adds iodine and hydrochloric gas to list II chemicals, but excludes iodine from specified requirements for listed chemicals under the CSIEA. (Sec. 205) Prohibits distributing a laboratory supply to a person who uses it to manufacture a controlled substance or a listed chemical in violation of the CSA with reckless disregard for the illegal uses to which such supply will be put. Imposes civil penalties upon businesses that violate such provision. (Sec. 206) Amends the CSA to enjoin anyone convicted of specified felony violations relating to the manufacture and exportation of a listed chemical from engaging in a transaction involving a listed chemical for up to ten years. (Current law covers only "receipt, distribution, or importation" of a listed chemical and bars violators from engaging in such a "regulated" transaction for that period.) Authorizes the Attorney General to commence a civil action for appropriate declaratory or injunctive relief, subject to specified requirements. (Sec. 207) Authorizes the court, when sentencing a defendant convicted of specified CSA offenses involving the manufacture of methamphetamine, to order restitution and reimbursement by the defendant for costs incurred by the United States for the associated cleanup. (Sec. 208) Modifies the CSA to require each regulated person to keep a record of each regulated transaction involving a listed chemical, a tableting machine, or an encapsulating machine for two years. Title III: Increased Penalties for Trafficking and Manufacture of Methamphetamine and Precursors - Amends the CSA and the CSIEA to increase penalties for trafficking in methamphetamine and list I chemicals. (Sec. 303) Directs the Commission to determine whether the sentencing guidelines adequately punish specified offenses relating to the handling of hazardous waste and related issues under the Solid Waste Disposal Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and Federal transportation provisions, and, if not, to promulgate or amend existing guidelines to enhance the punishment for a defendant convicted of such offense. Title IV: Legal Manufacture, Distribution, and Sale of Precursor Chemicals - Amends the CSA to provide for the regulation of pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine, subject to specified limitations. Specifies that any sale of: (1) ordinary over-the-counter pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine products by retailed distributors shall not be a regulated transaction, with exceptions; and (2) other products containing pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine by retail distributors shall not be a regulated transaction if the distributor's sales are limited to less than the threshold quantity of 24 grams of pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine in each single transaction. Directs the Attorney General to reinstate an exemption with respect to a particular ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine drug product upon determining that such product is manufactured and distributed in a manner that prevents diversion. Authorizes the Attorney General to establish single-transaction limits of 24 grams of pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine base for retail distributors, subject to specified conditions. Sets penalties for violations. (Sec. 402) Requires each regulated person who engages in a transaction with a non-regulated person which involves ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine (including drug products containing these chemicals) and which uses or attempts to use the Postal Service or any private or commercial carrier, to submit monthly reports of such transactions to the Attorney General. Title V: Education and Research - Establishes a Methamphetamine Interagency Task Force. (Sec. 502) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a public health monitoring program to monitor methamphetamine abuse in the United States. (Sec. 503) Requires the Attorney General to: (1) establish an advisory panel consisting of an appropriate number of representatives from Federal, State, and local law enforcement and regulatory agencies with experience in investigating and prosecuting illegal transactions of precursor chemicals; (2) continue specified current efforts; and (3) establish a Suspicious Orders Task Force.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Medicare Savings Subtitle A: Provisions Relating to Part A Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Part B Subtitle C: Provisions Relating to Parts A and B Subtitle D: Medicare Part B Premium Title II: Expanded Medicare Choice Title III: National Commission on Medicare Reform Emergency Medicare Protection Act of 1996 - Title I: Medicare Savings - Subtitle A: Provisions Relating to Part A - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) part A of the Social Security Act (SSA) to revise requirements for the Hospital Insurance program under it in order to achieve Medicare savings through measures involving, among other things: (1) adjustments for estimated case mix increase when recalibrating diagnosis-related group (DRG) prospective payment system (PPS) rates for inpatient hospital services; (2) temporary additional reduction in PPS capital and hospital-specific rates; (3) reduction in adjustment for indirect medical education (IME); (4) revisions in determination of amount of payment for medical education; (5) elimination of disproportionate share (DSH) adjustments and IME payments attributable to outlier payments; (6) changes in the treatment of certain transfer cases; (7) incentive payments for PPS-exempt hospitals; (8) reductions to capital payments for PPS-exempt hospitals; (9) updates to per diem cost limits effective for FY 1996 for skilled nursing facilities based on limits for FY 1993, with payment for such facilities made on an interim prospective basis until FY 1998 when a full prospective payment system is to be implemented; (10) salary equivalency guidelines for various specified therapy services; (11) additional payments to hospitals for graduate medical education programs and managed care enrollees; (12) expanding the choice of base years and eliminating the volume adjustment with regard to sole community hospitals; (13) expanding the essential access community hospital (EACH) program (renamed the rural primary care hospital program) to all States with an end to new EACH designations, a limitation on length of inpatient stays, and certain payment-related changes, among other modifications; (14) permanent grandfathering of rural referral center status; and (15) Medicare-dependent, small, rural hospital payment extension. (Sec. 11104) Establishes within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) the National Commission on Medical Education and Workforce Priorities to develop and recommend to the HHS Secretary specific policies concerning health centers and the health care workforce. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 11118) Amends title XVII (Health Information and Health Promotion) of the Public Health Service Act to direct the HHS Secretary to establish a grant program for promoting the development of rural telemedicine networks under a newly added part B (Telemedicine Development). Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 11119) Amends title III (General Powers and Duties of Public Health Service) of the Public Health Service Act to provide for a Rural Health Outreach Grant Program under a newly added part O (Rural Health Outreach Grants). Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Part B - Revises requirements for Medicare's Supplementary Medical Insurance program under SSA title XVIII part B to achieve Medicare savings and provide for coverage of additional benefits through such measures involving, among other things: (1) new updates for physician services; (2) incentives to control high volume for in-hospital physicians' services; (3) reduced payment increases for ambulatory surgical center services for FY 1997 through 2002; (4) reductions in monthly payment amounts for oxygen and oxygen equipment; (5) freezes in the updates for durable medical equipment and orthotics and prosthetics for 1997 through 2002; (6) elimination of formula-driven overpayments for certain outpatient hospital services; (7) reduction in payments for capital-related costs, and for certain other costs, with regard to hospital outpatient services; (8) provision for a prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services; and (9) program coverage of colorectal screening and of annual screening mammography for women over age 49. (Sec. 11130) Waives cost-sharing for mammography. (Sec. 11133) Establishes set payment amounts for certain vaccines and ties annual increases in them to increases in the yearly update for physicians' services for the particular year involved. Eliminates coinsurance and deductible for hepatitis B vaccine. (Sec. 11134) Provides program coverage of diabetes outpatient self-management training services. Includes as covered durable medical equipment blood glucose monitors for individuals with diabetes. (Sec. 11135) Provides limited program coverage of respite services (the temporary care provided to individuals for the purpose of ensuring periodic time-off for co-resident primary informal caregivers). (Sec. 11136) Revises payments to physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists. Subtitle C: Provisions Relating to Parts A and B - Directs the HHS Secretary to use a competitive process to contract with centers of excellence for coronary artery bypass surgery or other heart procedures, knee surgery, hip surgery, and other appropriate services, with payment for such services on the basis of specified negotiated or all-inclusive rates. Requires the amount of payment made by the HHS Secretary to the center for covered services to be less than the aggregate amount of payments that would have otherwise been made to it had not such process been in effect. (Sec. 11142) Restructures payment policy for home health services, among other things: (1) temporarily basing updates to per visit cost limits on pre-July 1, 1994 levels; (2) providing interim reduced cost limits for FY 1997 through 1999; (3) directing the HHS Secretary, for cost reporting periods beginning on or after FY 2000, to provide for payments for home health services in accordance with a PPS which pays home health agencies on a per episode basis; (4) basing payment on the location where the home health service is furnished; and (5) elimination of periodic interim payments for home health agencies. (Sec. 11147) Provides for permanent extension of certain secondary payer provisions under Medicare, including those for the working disabled. Subtitle D: Medicare Part B Premium - Modifies Medicare part B premium provisions, directing the HHS Secretary, during each September, to determine and promulgate a monthly premium rate for the succeeding calendar year equal to 50 percent of the monthly actuarial rate for enrollees age 65 and over for that succeeding calendar year. Title II: Expanded Medicare Choice - Gives Medicare a managed care component under a new part C (Managed Care Organizations) under which every individual entitled to benefits under Medicare part A and enrolled under Medicare part B (or enrolled under part B only) shall be eligible to enroll with any eligible organization contracting with the HHS Secretary to serve the geographic area in which the individual resides. Extends to such individuals a broader choice of managed care coverage through qualified health maintenance organizations, competitive medical plans, preferred provider organizations, or provider sponsored organizations. Delineates the types of benefits offered by each managed care organization or plan, requiring certain minimum services, with supplemental benefits subject to the Secretary's approval and provided at the enrollees' option. Outlines other program particulars regarding internal quality assurance, payment for services, and sanctions for noncompliance with program requirements. (Sec. 11203) Directs the HHS Secretary to develop and promulgate interim final regulations for: (1) certification standards for eligible organizations; (2) standards for fiscal soundness and requirements against the risk of insolvency for provider sponsored organizations seeking certification as an eligible organization; (3) standards for monitoring eligible organizations under a risk or partial risk contract under this new part; and (4) any other standards or procedures required to implement provisions of part C. (Sec. 11204) Provides for the applicability of Medicare rates to enrollees who use an out-of-plan service provider. (Sec. 11205) Directs the HHS Secretary to provide for regulations requiring the collection, analysis, and reporting of data that will permit measurement of outcomes and other indices of the quality of managed care plans under contract with the Secretary. (Sec. 11206) Allows the HHS Secretary to waive certain HMO- and competitive medical plan (CMP)-related requirements under Medicare with regard to certain described experiments and demonstration projects under provisions for economy while maintaining or improving quality in health services (competitive pricing demonstrations). (Sec. 11207) Eliminates the health care prepayment plan option for entities eligible to participate under Medicare part C. (Sec. 11208) Provides various specified changes under the Medicare supplemental policy program, including uniform enrollment periods and community-rated premiums. (Sec. 11209) Directs the HHS Secretary to develop a standard package of benefits (in addition to those already covered under Medicare) that may be offered by eligible organizations under Medicare part C. Requires the HHS Secretary to request the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to examine the standard benefit packages for Medicare supplemental health insurance policies and recommend any restructuring needed in order to facilitate to the maximum extent feasible comparison across such policies and benefits offered by eligible organizations. Requires the HHS Secretary, after taking into account any such recommendations, to restructure such packages as needed. (Sec. 11210) Provides that in any action under the antitrust laws the conduct of an organization that provides health care services in negotiating, making, or performing a contract under Medicare part C, and the conduct of any member of such an organization in carrying out such a contract, shall not be deemed illegal per se if each member of the organization shares, directly or indirectly, substantial financial risk in connection with the organization's operations. (Sec. 11211) Revises the Public Health Service Act with regard to certain requirements for certificates and laboratory inspections. (Sec. 11212) Modifies the exceptions under Medicare's limitation on certain physician referrals to both ownership and compensation arrangement prohibitions, among other changes repealing the exception for physicians' services and adding a new exception for shared facility services. Title III: National Commission on Medicare Reform - Establishes the National Commission on Medicare Reform to: (1) review relevant analyses of the current and long-term financial condition of the Medicare trust funds; (2) identify problems that may threaten the long-term solvency of such funds; (3) analyze potential solutions to such problems that will both assure the financial integrity of the Medicare program and the provision of appropriate benefits under it; (4) provide appropriate recommendations to the HHS Secretary, the President, and the Congress; and (5) develop a legislative proposal to carry them out for submission to the Congress. Outlines the procedures for the Congress to consider such recommendations. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1996
Finds that the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia merits continued and increased U.S. support for its efforts to investigate and bring to justice the perpetrators of gross violations of international law in the former Yugoslavia. Declares that: (1) the President should support the request of the President of the Tribunal for the High Representative to reimpose full economic sanctions on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) and the so-called Republika Srpska until the Republic and Bosnian Serb authorities have complied with their obligations under the Peace Agreement and UN Security Council Resolutions to cooperate fully with the Tribunal; (2) the NATO-led Implementation Force (IFOR) should make it an urgent priority to detain and bring to justice persons indicted by the Tribunal; and (3) states in the former Yugoslavia should not be admitted to international organizations and fora until they have complied with their obligations under the Peace Agreement and UN Security Council Resolutions to cooperate fully with the Tribunal.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Block Grants for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Title II: Supplemental Security Income Subtitle A: Eligibility Restrictions Subtitle B: Benefits for Disabled Children Subtitle C: State Supplementation Programs Subtitle D: Studies Regarding Supplemental Security Income Program Subtitle E: National Commission on the Future of Disability Title III: Child Support Subtitle A: Eligibility for Services; Distribution of Payments Subtitle B: Locate and Case Tracking Subtitle C: Streamlining and Uniformity of Procedures Subtitle D: Paternity Establishment Subtitle E: Program Administration and Funding Subtitle F: Establishment and Modification of Support Orders Subtitle G: Enforcement of Support Orders Subtitle H: Medical Support Subtitle I: Enhancing Responsibility and Opportunity for Non-Residential Parents Subtitle J: Effect of Enactment Title IV: Restricting Welfare and Public Benefits for Aliens Subtitle A: Eligibility for Federal Benefits Subtitle B: Eligibility for State and Local Public Benefits Programs Subtitle C: Attribution of Income and Affidavits of Support Subtitle D: General Provisions Subtitle E: Conforming Amendments Title V: Reductions in Federal Government Positions Title VI: Reform of Public Housing Title VII: Child Care Title VIII: Child Nutrition Programs Subtitle A: National School Lunch Act Subtitle B: Child Nutrition Act of 1966 Title IX: Food Stamp and Related Programs Title X: Miscellaneous Subtitle A: General Provisions Bipartisan Welfare Reform Act of 1996 - Title I: Block Grants for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families - Expresses the sense of the Congress that prevention of out-of-wedlock pregnancy and reduction in out-of-wedlock births are very important Government interests. (Sec. 103) Replaces the current Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program and Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training Program (JOBS) under, respectively, parts A and F of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) with a program of block grants to the States for temporary assistance for needy families already with or expecting children (TEA program). Gives such program the stated purpose of increasing the flexibility of States in operating approved statewide programs, with: (1) certain mandatory work and education requirements (as well as penalties against adult family members on TEA who refuse to engage in various specified work activities); and (2) adult- supervised living arrangements for unmarried teenage parents to enable such families to leave the program and become self-sufficient. Includes participation in community service programs and subsidized public sector employment as TEA program work activities. Requires TEA programs to provide certain time-limited cash assistance (and thereafter vouchers) to eligible families entering into an individual responsibility plan with the State (with certain exceptions involving minor children and hardship situations), outlining their obligations in receiving TEA assistance (such as immunizing their children or finishing high school), as well as the specific services the State will provide (such as job preparation and family planning services and, at the State's option, substance abuse treatment services) to enable them to move into private sector employment. Requires State TEA programs also to: (1) establish annual numerical goals for preventing and reducing the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies, with special emphasis on teenage pregnancies, over a specified ten-year period; and (2) encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families. Denies TEA for fugitive felons and probation and parole violators and minor children absent from the home for a significant period. Suspends it for ten years for persons who have fraudulently misrepresented residence to obtain assistance in two or more States. Denies additional cash assistance, as a general rule, for additional children born to families already on TEA (except in cases of rape and incest), unless State law specifically exempts the State TEA program from such denial. Reduces or denies TEA for noncooperation in child support. Outlines State TEA plan contents. Provides for the State's choice of treatment of aliens and families moving interstate, and for the exchange of certain plan information about TEA applicants or recipients with law enforcement officers under prescribed conditions. Sets forth requirements for State plan approval by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), which include certifications that the State will operate a child protection and child support enforcement program under SSA title IV parts B and D (Child-Welfare Services Program and Child Support and Establishment of Paternity Program), respectively. Details TEA program grant administrative provisions: (1) determining the amounts of State grants for family assistance for FY 1996 through 2001; (2) outlining grant uses, including assistance to families in meeting home heating and cooling costs, and a State program under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990; (3) rewarding States with additional grant amounts for reductions in illegitimate births, as well as for population increases and TEA program work activities; and (4) establishing in the Treasury (and providing deposits for) a Contingency Fund for State Welfare Programs for payments to certain eligible participating States. Makes necessary appropriations. Sets up a Federal loan program for certain State TEA programs for anti-fraud and other specified activities. Makes necessary appropriations. Establishes penalties for States and individual families for specified grant and program violations, respectively, through reduced grants and assistance payments. Allows States to terminate assistance payments, but prohibits assistance reduction or termination based on a refusal of an adult to work if the adult is a single custodial parent caring for a child under age six and unable to obtain needed child care for one or more specified reasons. Provides for State appeal of Federal adverse decisions with respect to State plans or imposition of penalties. Outlines specific program data collection and reporting requirements, as well as certain research, evaluation, and study requirements. Makes necessary appropriations. Provides for TEA grants to Indian tribes (with a special rule for Alaskan Native tribes). Makes necessary appropriations. Directs the Bureau of the Census to expand the Survey of Income and Program Participation to obtain information enabling interested persons to evaluate the impact of this title on a random national sample of State TEA recipients and other appropriate low-income families. Makes necessary appropriations. Provides for the treatment of current and previously granted State AFDC (welfare reform) waiver projects. Retains the HHS Assistant Secretary for Family Support as the official responsible for administering SSA title IV part A and D programs. Expresses the sense of the Congress encouraging each State operating a TEA program to: (1) assign the highest priority to requiring adults in two-parent families and in single-parent families with older preschool or school-age children to engage in work activities; and (2) require non-custodial, nonsupporting parents under age 18 to fulfill community work obligations and attend appropriate parenting or money management classes after school. (Sec. 104) Allows States to contract with charitable, religious, or private organizations to provide services and administer programs established or modified by this Act, or to provide program beneficiaries with certificates, vouchers, or other forms of disbursement redeemable with such organizations. Prohibits the expenditure of financial assistance under such programs for sectarian worship, instruction, or proselytization. (Sec. 105) Directs the Secretary of Commerce to expand the data collection efforts of the Bureau of the Census to enable it to collect certain data on grandparent caregivers. (Sec. 106) Directs the HHS Secretary to report to the Congress on the status of State automated data processing systems used in administering State programs under SSA title IV part A. (Sec. 107) Requires the HHS Secretary to report to the Congress on outcomes measures for evaluating the success of the States in moving individuals out of the welfare system through employment as an alternative to the minimum participation rates under mandatory TEA work requirements. (Sec. 108) Makes conforming amendments to SSA, the Food Stamp Act of 1977, and related provisions of other specified Federal laws. (Sec. 111) Directs the Commissioner of Social Security (Commissioner) to develop a prototype of a counterfeit-resistant social security card and study and report to the Congress on different methods of improving the social security card application process. (Sec. 112) Requires any organization accepting Federal funds under this Act to disclose that fact in any communication it makes that intends to promote public support or opposition to any Federal, State, or local government policy through any broadcasting station, periodical, or other specified type of general public advertising. Makes any organization failing to make such a disclosure ineligible to receive Federal funds under this Act. (Sec. 113) Amends the Family Support Act of 1988 to remove the "demonstration" status of the Job Opportunities for Certain Low-Income Individuals (JOLI) program and give it an increased annual authorization for any fiscal year. Title II: Supplemental Security Income - Subtitle A: Eligibility Restrictions - Amends SSA title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) to: (1) deny SSI by reason of disability to drug addicts and alcoholics for whom addiction or alcoholism would be a contributing factor material to the disability determination; (2) revise representative payee and treatment requirements; (3) deny SSI benefits for ten years to individuals found to have fraudulently misrepresented residence in order to obtain benefits simultaneously in two or more States; (4) deny SSI benefits for fugitive felons and probation and parole violators; and (5) outline the process for periodic review with respect to the continuing eligibility of an individual 18 years of age or older to receive certain SSI disability benefits. Provides certain supplemental funding for alcohol and substance abuse treatment programs. Subtitle B: Benefits for Disabled Children - Revises the rules with respect to childhood eligibility, with corresponding changes to childhood SSI regulations modifying the medical criteria for evaluation of mental and emotional disorders, and discontinuing the use of individualized functional assessments for children. Requires the Commissioner to redetermine the eligibility of any individual under age 18 receiving SSI benefits based on a disability as of the enactment of this Act, and whose eligibility for such benefits may terminate by reason of this Act. (Sec. 212) Provides that at least once every three years the Commissioner shall review the continued SSI eligibility of each individual who has not attained age 18 and is eligible for such benefits by reason of an impairment (or combination of impairments) which may improve (or, which is unlikely to improve, at the option of the Commissioner). Requires a parent or guardian of a recipient whose case is so reviewed to present evidence that the recipient is and has been receiving treatment of the condition which was the basis for the SSI benefits. Provides that if an individual is eligible for SSI disability benefits for the month preceding the month in which the individual attains age 18, the Commissioner shall redetermine such eligibility: (1) during the one year period beginning on the individual's 18th birthday; and (2) by applying the criteria used in determining the initial eligibility for applicants who have attained age 18. Outlines specific requirements governing: (1) continuing disability reviews for low birth weight babies; and (2) benefit payments through representative payees to eligible individuals and their spouses. (Sec. 214) Provides for a reduction in cash SSI benefits payable to institutionalized individuals whose medical costs are covered by private insurance. (Sec. 215) Reduces by specified basic needs and earned income disregard allocations the amount of parental income attributed to disabled children. Subtitle C: State Supplementation Programs - Repeals maintenance of effort requirements applicable to optional State programs for supplementation of SSI benefits. Subtitle D: Studies Regarding Supplemental Security Income Program - Requires the Commissioner of Social Security to report annually to the President and the Congress regarding the SSI program and to make arrangements with the National Academy of Sciences, or other independent entity, to study the disability determination process under SSA titles II and XVI for similar reports. (Sec. 233) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report on the: (1) impact of this title on the SSI program; and (2) extra expenses incurred by families of children receiving SSI benefits that are not covered by other Federal, State, or local programs. Subtitle E: National Commission on the Future of Disability - Establishes the National Commission on the Future of Disability to develop and report to the President and the Congress: (1) a comprehensive study of all matters related to the nature, purpose, and adequacy of all Federal programs serving individuals with disabilities, including the programs under SSA titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) and XVI; and (2) recommendations for appropriate action. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Child Support - Subtitle A: Eligibility for Services; Distribution of Payments - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of SSA title IV to require State plans for child and spousal support to provide: (1) certain services relating to paternity establishment or enforcement of child support obligations; and (2) continuation of services for families ceasing to receive assistance under Aid to Families with Dependent Children. (Sec. 302) Revises payment distribution guidelines for support obligations collected by the State on behalf of a family. (Sec. 303) Requires State plans to establish procedural guidelines for: (1) privacy safeguards regarding paternity and child support actions; and (2) notification of State plan services applicants or recipients about all proceedings and orders affecting child support obligations. Subtitle B: Locate and Case Tracking - Mandates that single statewide automated data systems include a State case registry containing records of: (1) each case in which services are provided by the State agency; and (2) each support order established on or after a specified date. Permits the linking of local registries. (Sec. 312) Requires State plans to include a centralized, automated unit for the collection and disbursement of support payments. Permits the unit to be established by linking local disbursement units through an automated information network if the Secretary agrees that it will not cost more or take more time to establish or operate than a centralized system. (Sec. 313) Requires State plans to: (1) provide for a State-operated and automated State Directory of New Hires containing prescribed information furnished by employers on new personnel; and (2) transmit such information to the National Directory of New Hires. (Sec. 314) Requires States to have statutorily prescribed procedures: (1) for mandatory income withholding for support payments subject to enforcement; and (2) under which wages of a person with a support obligation imposed by a child support order issued before October 1, 1996, shall become subject to withholding if arrearages occur, without the need for a judicial or administrative hearing. Revises the procedural guidelines for income withholding for child support enforcement. (Sec. 315) Requires the States to have statutorily prescribed procedures to ensure that Federal and State agencies conducting income-withholding activities have access to State locator systems for motor vehicle or law enforcement purposes. (Sec. 316) Revises the Federal Parent Locator Service to provide for additional information which may be transmitted to locate individuals and assets for purposes of: (1) establishing parentage; (2) establishing, setting the amount of, modifying, or enforcing child support obligations; and (3) enforcing child custody or visitation orders. Directs the HHS Secretary to establish in the Federal Parent Locator Service an automated Federal Case Registry of Child Support Orders and an automated National Directory of New Hires. (Sec. 317) Requires States to have statutorily prescribed procedures requiring recordation on such documents of the Social Security number of: (1) specified driver's, marriage, and occupational, and professional license applicants; (2) individuals subject to certain domestic relations orders; and (3) deceased individuals (on death records). Subtitle C: Streamlining and Uniformity of Procedures - Requires each State to have the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act in effect as of January 1, 1998. Amends the Federal judicial code to revise the procedures for the court to apply when determining which State order to recognize for purposes of continuing, exclusive jurisdiction and enforcement for child support orders. (Sec. 323) Requires the States to have statutorily prescribed procedures requiring: (1) expedited administrative enforcement in interstate cases and support orders; and (2) expedited administrative and judicial procedures for establishing paternity and enforcing support obligations. Subtitle D: Paternity Establishment - Revises the guidelines for State laws governing paternity establishment. Requires State procedures under which the name of the father shall be included on the birth certificate only: (1) if the mother and father have signed a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity; or (2) pursuant to a judicial or administrative order. (Sec. 333) Requires State plans for child and spousal support to provide that the State agency administering the plan will make a determination as to whether a program recipient is cooperating in good faith with State efforts to establish paternity and secure support. Subtitle E: Program Administration and Funding - Directs the Secretary to develop a new incentive system to replace the current one. Revises the guidelines for Federal performance-based incentive payments to the States for effective child support enforcement programs. (Sec. 342) 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. 344) 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. 345) 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 F: Establishment and Modification of Support Orders - Revises the requirements for State plan procedures for the review and adjustment of support orders. (Sec. 352) Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to authorize a consumer agency to furnish a consumer report: (1) in response to a request by a governmental child support enforcement agency; or (2) to the State administrative agency which sets child support awards. (Sec. 353) 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 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 any person knowingly or negligently violating such prohibition. Subtitle G: Enforcement of Support Orders - Amends Internal Revenue Code procedural guidelines for the collection of arrearages to provide that no additional fee may be assessed for adjustments to a previously certified amount. (Sec. 362) Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of SSA title IV 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 members of the Armed Forces. (Sec. 364) Requires a State plan for child and spousal support to have in effect the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act of 1981, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act of 1984, or a similar law, as well as certain procedures governing the voiding of fraudulent transfers by a child support debtor. (Sec. 365) Requires a State plan for child and spousal support to include specified procedures: (1) to ensure that persons owing past-due support work or participate in work activities the court deems appropriate; (2) to report to credit bureaus the name of the parent in arrears for child support; (3) to provide for liens against real and personal property for the support arrearages of an absent parent; and (4) to implement the restriction of driver's, professional, occupational, and recreational licenses of individuals owing support arrearages. (Sec. 370) Instructs the Secretary of State to deny a passport to any individual certified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to be in arrears of more than $5,000 for child support payments. Authorizes revocation, restriction or limitation of a previously issued passport in connection with such individuals. (Sec. 371) Authorizes the Secretary of State, with the concurrence of the HHS Secretary, to declare any foreign country a reciprocating country if it has established, or undertakes to establish, procedures for the establishment and enforcement of child support obligations whose obligees are U.S. citizens. Provides for revocation of such declaration in certain circumstances. Designates the HHS Secretary as the central authority for such enforcement. (Sec. 372) Requires States to have statutorily prescribed procedures under which a State agency shall enter agreements with financial institutions doing business within the State to develop and operate a data match system to provide identifying information for each noncustodial parent targeted by the State who maintains an account at the institution, and to encumber or surrender such parent's assets at the institution pursuant to a lien or levy. (Sec. 373) Requires States to have statutorily prescribed procedures under which child support orders relating to the child of minor parents, where the custodial parents are receiving assistance, are enforceable against the child's paternal or maternal grandparents. (Sec. 374) Amends Federal bankruptcy law to make nondischargeable in bankruptcy any debts owed to a State or municipality for child support. Subtitle H: Medical Support - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to include within the definition of medical child support order an order issued through a State administrative process. (Sec. 377) Amends part D of SSA title IV to mandate statutorily prescribed procedures under which all enforced child support orders shall include a provision for the health care coverage of the child. Subtitle I: Enhancing Responsibility and Opportunity for Non- Residential Parents - Amends part D of SSA title IV to prescribe guidelines under which the Administration for Children and Families shall make grants to enable States to establish and administer access and visitation programs to facilitate noncustodial parents' access to their children. Subtitle J: Effect of Enactment - Sets forth effective dates for this title. Title IV: Restricting Welfare and Public Benefits for Aliens - Subtitle A: Eligibility for Federal Benefits - Denies Federal public benefits (except certain emergency disaster relief, public health, housing, and child nutrition benefits) to non-qualified aliens. (Sec. 402) Denies SSI and food stamp eligibility to all but certain qualified aliens, who may receive only limited benefits. (Sec. 403) Makes qualified aliens ineligible (with limited exceptions) for Federal means-tested public benefits for the first five years after U.S. entry. Amends SSA and the United States Housing Act of 1937 to provide for reporting of certain illegal alien information to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Subtitle B: Eligibility for State and Local Public Benefits Programs - Makes an alien who is not a qualified alien, a nonimmigrant, or a parolee for less than one year ineligible for State or local benefits (except certain emergency disaster relief, public health, housing, and child nutrition benefits). (Sec. 412) Authorizes States, with certain exceptions, to determine eligibility for State means-tested public benefits for qualified aliens, nonimmigrants, or certain parolees. Subtitle C: Attribution of Income and Affidavits of Support - Deems the income and resources of any alien over age 18 (who is not pregnant) applying for Medicaid and SSA title XXI benefits to include: (1) the income and resources of any person who executed an affidavit of support on the alien's behalf; and (2) the income and resources of the person's spouse (if any). (Sec. 422) Authorizes States to make similar attributions with respect to State programs (except certain emergency disaster relief, public health, housing, and child nutrition benefits). Subtitle D: General Provisions - Sets forth definitions and requires appropriate regulations by the Attorney General for State use. Subtitle E: Conforming Amendments - Makes conforming amendments to the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980 and the Housing Act of 1949. Title V: Reductions in Federal Government Positions - Outlines the mechanism for various specified Federal executive agency workforce reductions, requiring submission to specified congressional committees of determinations about the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) positions of their respective departments by the Secretaries of Agriculture, of Education, of Labor, of Housing and Urban Development, and of HHS. Requires the Secretaries to make FTE reductions, including reductions-in-force, over the ensuing 14 months. Requires the Comptroller General to analyze and report to such committees on such determinations, with recommendations for further FTE reductions, if appropriate. (Sec. 502) Requires the HHS Secretary to reduce the Federal workforce within HHS: (1) by 75 percent of the FTE positions relating to any direct or indirect discretionary spending program converted into a block grant program by this Act (including 245 FTE positions related to the program converted into TEA block grants); and (2) by 75 percent of a proportionate number of the total FTE departmental management positions (including 60 FTE managerial positions related to the program converted into TEA block grants). (Sec. 503) Encourages the HHS Secretary to reduce personnel in the Washington, D.C., area office (agency headquarters) before reducing field personnel. Title VI: Reform of Public Housing - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to prohibit increased housing assistance (except instances of limited-time frame benefits) to a family whose benefits under other public assistance programs have been reduced because of noncompliance. (Sec. 602) States that a person whose benefits under a means-tested welfare or public assistance program have been reduced because of fraud shall not, during such reduction period, receive an income-based increase in any other means-tested assistance program. Title VII: Child Care - Child Care and Development Block Grant Amendments of 1995 - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to authorize appropriations for FY 1996 through 2002. (Sec. 703) Amends part A (TEA) of title IV of the Social Security Act to establish a general child care assistance entitlement program funded by Federal grants to the States. Authorizes appropriations. Prescribes program parameters. (Sec. 708) Repeals the program requirement for early childhood development and before- and after-school services. Revises enforcement guidelines to require a State to reimburse the Secretary for funds improperly expended on prohibited or non-authorized purposes. (Sec. 712) Revises the Secretary's congressional reporting requirements to mandate biannual reports to the House Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities. (Sec. 713) Authorizes an Indian tribe or tribal organization to use Federal funds for the construction or renovation of child care facilities. (Sec. 715) Repeals the Child Development Associate Scholarship Assistance Act of 1985 and the State Dependent Care Development Grants Act. Repeals funding authority for certain programs of national significance, involving: (1) child care for children of at-risk students; (2) alternative programs for bilingual and special education students; and (3) rural child care centers for student parents and their children. Repeals funding authority for Native Hawaiian Family-based Education Centers. Title VIII: Child Nutrition Programs - Subtitle A: National School Lunch Act - Amends the National School Lunch Act (NSLA) to repeal specified authorities and requirements for the school lunch and related programs, including: (1) State educational authority to use resources from the nutrition and education (NET) program; (2) prohibition of State imposition of teaching personnel and curriculum requirements at any school; (3) certain demonstration grants to private nonprofit organizations or educational institutions for elementary school curriculum food and nutrition projects; (4) aspects of summer food service programs, reducing payment rates and daily meals at camps, reducing the National Youth Sports Program, and revising nutritional standards compliance requirements; (5) certain commodity distribution program requirements, including State Advisory Councils; (6) expansion of the child care food program; (7) adult care food aid to adult day care centers and services for persons over 60; (8) certain pilot projects, including one for paperwork reduction; and (9) an information clearinghouse. (Sec. 807) Prohibits, in general, any waiver that will increase Federal costs. (Sec. 810) Provides for grants for State assistance to family or group day care homes. Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and of Health and Human Services to study and report to specified congressional committees on the impact of this title on adult food care program participation and family day care licensing. Subtitle B: Child Nutrition Act of 1966 - Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to revise the school breakfast program: (1) eliminating Federal assistance for food preparation training and program expansion and start-up costs; (2) repealing certain authorities and requirements relating to State administrative expenses; (3) repealing the prohibition against State imposition of teaching personnel and curriculum requirements at any school; (4) repealing the program of cash grants for nutrition education. (Sec. 830) Revises the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC), among other things repealing specified requirements and changing from mandatory to optional: (1) drug abuse education; and (2) provision of WIC information in languages other than English. (Sec. 832) Makes the Nutrition and Education program discretionary rather than mandatory. Authorizes appropriations. Title IX: Food Stamp Program and Related Programs - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to: (1) increase the standard deduction from income resources for eligibility purposes; (2) treat electronic benefit transfer cards and personal identification (PIN) numbers as coupons; (3) count vendor payments for transitional housing as income; (4) increase penalties for specified program violations; (5) revise disqualification penalties and periods, and their applications to entire households, for persons refusing to comply with work requirements; (6) revise general exemptions from employment and training requirements and funding for related programs; and (7) mandate disqualification of individuals for multiple receipt of food stamp benefits, of fleeing felons, and of individuals delinquent in child support payments. (Sec. 915) Authorizes State food stamp disqualification of a household member also disqualified from another means-tested public assistance program for failure to perform an action required for such program under Federal, State, or local law. (Sec. 918) Makes it an eligibility requirement for custodial parents to cooperate with child support agencies. (Sec. 920) Prescribes additional work requirements for able-bodied food stamp recipients. Requires State agencies to implement electronic benefit transfer systems. (Sec. 924) Provides for: (1) optional combined value allotments for expedited households; and (2) allotments to individuals residing in drug or alcohol abuse treatment centers. (Sec. 925) Authorizes reduction in State food stamp benefits of a household for whom benefits are also reduced in another means-tested public assistance program for a similar failure. (Sec. 927) Authorizes regulations to establish specific authorization periods, and specific periods for prohibiting participation of stores based on lack of business integrity. (Sec. 931) Revises requirements for State agency procedures for food stamp office operation. Augments the kinds of information (including retailer information) that may be exchanged among Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies. Authorizes the suspension of stores violating program requirements pending administrative and judicial review. (Sec. 939) Mandates regulations for: (1) food stamp program disqualification of retailers disqualified from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); and (2) the permanent debarment of retailers who intentionally submit falsified applications. Subjects food stamp benefits to civil and criminal forfeiture for benefit violations. (Sec. 948) Authorizes States to operate simplified food stamp programs according to specified requirements. Repeals the authority to conduct specified pilot projects and the Food Bank Demonstration Project. (Sec. 949) Revises State plan requirements for the emergency food assistance program. Title X: Miscellaneous - Provides, among other things, for: (1) the expenditure of Federal funds received by a State under TEA and certain other Federal programs only in accordance with laws and procedures applicable to expenditure of the State's own revenues; (2) elimination of housing assistance with respect to fugitive felons and probation and parole violators; (3) certain options for State consideration of the resources of an ineligible household member when determining the food stamp eligibility and allotment of such individual's household; and (4) an increase in funding for abstinence education under SSA title V (Maternal and Child Health Services). (Sec. 1003) Expresses the sense of the Senate that Congress should adopt enterprise zone legislation in the 104th Congress providing for various specified incentives, regulatory reforms, and pilot projects. (Sec. 1004) Expresses the sense of the Senate that States: (1) should diligently continue their efforts to enforce child support payments by the non-custodial parent; and (2) should pursue pilot programs in which the parents of a non-adult, non-custodial parent who refuses to or is unable to pay child support must pay or contribute to the child support owed by the non-custodial parent or otherwise fulfill all financial obligations and meet all conditions imposed on the non-custodial parent, such as participation in a work program or other related activity. (Sec. 1006) Directs the HHS Secretary to: (1) implement a certain strategy for preventing out-of-wedlock teenage pregnancies and assuring that at least 25 percent of U.S. communities have teenage pregnancy prevention programs; and (2) report to the Congress on the State programs so implemented to determine their progress. (Sec. 1007) Expresses the sense of the Senate that States and local jurisdictions should aggressively enforce statutory rape laws. (Sec. 1008) Declares that States shall not be prohibited by the Federal Government from sanctioning welfare recipients who test positive for use of controlled substances. (Sec. 1010) Amends the Electronic Fund Transfer Act to generally exempt from the required disclosures, protections, responsibilities, and authorized remedies of such Act, and any implementing regulation prescribed by the Federal Reserve Board, any electronic benefit transfer program established under State or local law or administered by a State or local government that distributes needs-tested benefits. (Sec. 1011) Amends SSA title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) to reduce the authorization of appropriations for social services block grants. (Sec. 1012) Encourages the HHS Secretary to work in coordination with State agencies to ensure the efficient use of Federal transportation funds by recipients of public assistance under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1996
Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate a segment of the Clarion River in Pennsylvania as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Specifies parts of such segment to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture as recreational rivers and parts to be administered as scenic rivers.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1996
NATO Enlargement Facilitation Act of 1996 - Declares that it should be the policy of the United States to: (1) assist the transition to full membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) of emerging democracies in Central and Eastern Europe; and (2) work to construct a political and security relationship between an enlarged NATO and the Russian Federation. Expresses the sense of the Congress that in order to promote security in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, Moldova, and Ukraine: (1) the United States should support the full and active participation of these countries in activities that will qualify them for NATO membership; (2) the U.S. Government should press the European Union to admit as soon as possible any country qualifying for membership; and (3) the United States and NATO should support military and peacekeeping initiatives between and among such countries, NATO countries, and Russia. Designates Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic as eligible to receive certain assistance for transition to full membership in NATO. Requires the President to designate as eligible for such assistance other emerging democracies in Central and Eastern Europe that meet specified criteria. Authorizes appropriations for NATO enlargement assistance. Declares that the transfer of excess defense articles to countries intending to participate in NATO (including countries of NATO's southern flank) shall be given priority, to the maximum extent feasible, over the delivery of such articles to other countries, except certain countries specified under the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1995. Amends the NATO Participation Act of 1994 to establish a presidential and congressional procedure for termination of eligibility for assistance for Partnership for Peace countries which: (1) no longer meet certain eligibility criteria; (2) are hostile to the NATO alliance; or (3) pose a national security threat to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1996
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should award a Medal of Honor to Wayne T. Alderson in recognition of acts performed while serving in the U.S. Army in Germany during World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1996
Minor Party Liability Relief Act of 1996 - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to except persons from liability under the Act for costs and damages at a facility if: (1) the liability is based solely on arrangement for disposal (or transport for disposal) of hazardous substances or acceptance of such substances for transport to facilities from which there is a release or threatened release; and (2) the material is in an amount not exceeding that specified in this Act or by regulation of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. States exceptions to this limitation.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1996
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce by 4.3 cents per gallon the tax on gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel, fuel used by commercial waterway transportation vessels, special motor fuels, and methanol or ethanol fuels. Makes the reduction effective from seven days after enactment of this Act until January 1, 1997. Provides for the treatment of floor stocks. Expresses the sense of the Congress that consumers immediately receive the benefits. Requires the Comptroller General to study and report to specified congressional committees on whether there has been a passthrough to consumers. Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to authorize appropriations to carry out the Act. Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to complete actions necessary to permit the competitive bidding of licenses for the use of described frequency bands. Prohibits the FCC from treating enactment of this Act as an expression of the intent of the Congress regarding the award of initial licenses of construction permits for Advanced Television Services.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1996
False Statements Penalty Restoration Act - Modifies Federal criminal code provisions regarding false or fraudulent statements or entries to and set penalties with respect to a person who, in any matter within the jurisdiction of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the Government, knowingly and willingly: (1) falsifies, conceals, or covers up a material fact by any trick, scheme, or device; (2) makes any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation; or (3) makes or uses any false writing or document, knowing that the document contains any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry. (Currently, such prohibition applies to any matter within the jurisdiction of any U.S. department or agency.) Makes this provision inapplicable to statements, representations, writings, or documents submitted to a court in connection with the performance of an adjudicative function. Defines "corruptly," for purposes of the prohibition on obstructing Congress, to mean acting with an improper purpose, personally or by influencing another, including but not limited to making a false or misleading statement, or withholding, concealing, altering, or destroying a document or other information. Amends the Federal judicial code to limit the exemption of Government officer or employee acting within an official capacity from U.S. district court jurisdiction to enforce a Senate subpoena or order to instances where the head of such person's department or agency has directed the officer not to comply with the subpoena or order and has identified the executive branch privilege or objection underlying such direction. Amends the Federal criminal code to authorize a U.S. district court to order an individual to provide information which he or she refuses to provide on the basis of the privilege against self- incrimination in proceedings ancillary to either House of Congress. (Currently, such authority applies only to proceedings before either House.)
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Intelligence Activities Title II: Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System Title III: General Provisions Title IV: Federal Bureau of Investigation Title V: Economic Espionage Title VI: Combatting Proliferation Subtitle A: Assessment of Organization and Structure of Government for Combatting Proliferation Subtitle B: Other Matters Title VII: Renewal and Reform of Intelligence Activities Title VIII: National Imagery and Mapping Agency Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 - Title I: Intelligence Activities - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997 for the conduct of the intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the: (1) Central Intelligence Agency (CIA); (2) Department of Defense (DOD); (3) Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA); (4) National Security Agency (NSA); (5) Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force; (6) Departments of State, the Treasury, and Energy; (7) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); (8) Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); (9) National Reconnaissance Office (NRO); and (10) Central Imagery Office. (Sec. 102) Specifies that the amounts authorized to be appropriated and the authorized personnel ceilings as of September 30, 1997, for such activities are those specified in the classified Schedule of Authorizations which shall be made available to the Senate and House Appropriations Committees and the President. (Sec. 103) Allows the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI), with the approval of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), to authorize employment of civilian personnel in excess of the number authorized for FY 1997 when necessary to the performance of important intelligence functions. Requires notification to the Senate and House Intelligence Committees (intelligence committees). (Sec. 104) Authorizes appropriations for the Community Management Account of the DCI for FY 1997. Title II: Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System - Authorizes appropriations for the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability Fund for FY 1997. Title III: General Provisions - Permits appropriations authorized by this Act for salary, pay, retirement, and other benefits for Federal employees to be increased by such additional amounts as may be necessary for increases in such compensation or benefits authorized by law. (Sec. 302) Specifies that the authorization of appropriations by this Act shall not be deemed to constitute authority for the conduct of any intelligence activity which is not otherwise authorized by the Constitution or laws of the United States. (Sec. 303) Amends the National Security Act of 1947 (the Act) to extend for an additional two years the authority of the President to stay the imposition of an economic, cultural, diplomatic, or other sanction or related action when the President determines and reports to the Congress that to proceed without delay would seriously risk the compromise of an intelligence source or method or an ongoing criminal investigation. (Sec. 304) Requires the DCI to prescribe regulations requiring each new and current CIA employee to sign a written agreement restricting the activities of that employee upon ceasing employment with the CIA. (Sec. 305) Directs the President to report to the congressional intelligence committees on actions that have been taken to ensure adequate oversight by the executive branch of the budgets of NRO and other elements of the intelligence community within DOD. Title IV: Federal Bureau of Investigation - Amends the Federal criminal code to authorize the FBI Director to request local and long distance toll billing records for counterintelligence purposes, subject to specified requirements. Revises provisions regarding civil actions for violations regarding stored wire and electronic communications and transactional records access to authorize any individual aggrieved by such a violation to bring suit. Authorizes the court to assess: (1) punitive damages if the violation is willful or intentional; and (2) costs of the action, together with reasonable attorney's fees, in the case of a successful action. Provides for disciplinary actions for violations. Title V: Economic Espionage - Economic Espionage Act of 1996 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit theft of proprietary economic information undertaken on behalf of, or with intent to benefit, a foreign government or its agent, with exceptions. Specifies a separate maximum punishment for an organization found guilty of such offense. Provides for criminal forfeiture of property constituting or derived from any proceeds of such violation and any property used to commit or facilitate such violation. Authorizes the President, consistent with international obligations, to prohibit for up to five years the importation or exportation of any merchandise produced, made, assembled, or manufactured by a person or organization convicted of an offense under this title. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to impose civil penalties of up to $100,000. Sets forth provisions regarding seizure and forfeiture and applicability of customs laws. Sets forth provisions regarding the scope of extraterritorial jurisdiction, the preservation of the confidentiality of proprietary economic information, and the non-impairment of lawful intelligence and law enforcement activities. Title VI: Combatting Proliferation - Combatting Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction Act of 1996 - Subtitle A: Assessment of Organization and Structure of Government for Combatting Proliferation - Establishes the Commission to Assess the Organization of the Federal Government to Combat the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction. Directs the Commission to study the organization of the Government, including the elements of the intelligence community, and to report to the Congress on recommendations for improving the effectiveness of the organization of Federal departments and agencies in meeting U.S. national security interests with respect to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Other Matters - Requires the DCI to report on: (1) the acquisition by foreign countries of dual-use and other technology useful for the development or production of weapons of mass destruction and advanced conventional munitions; and (2) trends in the acquisition of such technology by such countries. Title VII: Renewal and Reform of Intelligence Activities - Intelligence Activities Renewal and Reform Act of 1996 - Establishes within the National Security Council the Committee on Foreign Intelligence. Directs the Committee to: (1) conduct an annual review of U.S. national security interests; (2) identify on an annual basis the intelligence required to meet such interests and establish an order of priority for the collection and analysis of such intelligence; (3) conduct an annual review of the intelligence community to determine its success in collecting, analyzing, and disseminating such intelligence; and (4) submit each year to the Council and the DCI a comprehensive report on its activities. (Sec. 703) Amends the Act to: (1) direct the President to report to the appropriate congressional committees on U.S. intelligence requirements and the activities of the intelligence community; and (2) provide for the establishment within the National Security Council of a Committee on Transnational Threats. (Sec. 705) Revises provisions of the Act regarding the duties, composition, and staffing of the Office of the DCI. (Sec. 706) Revises provisions regarding the National Intelligence Council. Requires the DCI to prescribe appropriate security requirements for persons appointed from the private sector as contractors of the Council or employees of such contractors. Authorizes the Center (sic) to carry out its responsibilities by contract, including contracts for substantive experts necessary to assist with particular assessments. Directs that the Center be readily accessible to policy making officials and other appropriate individuals not otherwise associated with the intelligence community. (Sec. 707) Revises the Act to require the DCI to facilitate the development of an annual budget for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States by: (1) developing and presenting to the President an annual budget for the National Foreign Intelligence Program (NFIP); (2) concurring in the development by the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) of the annual budget for the Joint Military Intelligence Program; and (3) consulting with the Secretary in the development of the annual budget for the Tactical Intelligence and Related Activities Program. Requires the DCI to manage the national collection activities of the intelligence community to ensure that such activities, and the intelligence collected thereby, meet national security requirements. Modifies Act provisions to require: (1) the DCI's prior approval of any reprogramming of funds made available under the NFIP or Joint Military Intelligence Program; and (2) consultation of the Secretary or head of the department which contains the affected elements of the intelligence community by the DCI before any transfer of funds or personnel. Requires the DCI, with the approval of the OMB Director, to direct and oversee the allocation, allotment, obligation, and expenditure of funds for the national intelligence programs, projects, and activities that are managed by the Directors of the CIA, NSA, NRO, and National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA). Requires the DCI to rotate personnel among intelligence community elements and to consolidate personnel, administrative, training, and security programs and management activities after consultation (currently, coordination) with affected department and agency heads. (Sec. 708) Revises Act provisions to require the Secretary to consult, and share responsibility, with the DCI regarding general responsibilities and the performance of certain NFIP functions. (Sec. 709) Amends the Act to establish Assistant Directors of Central Intelligence for: (1) Collection; (2) Analysis and Production; and (3) Administration. Provides for the transfer from the Secretary to the DCI of responsibilities and authorities for the collection of clandestine intelligence from human sources currently conducted by DOD's Defense Human Intelligence Service. (Sec. 712) Sets the pay level of the three new Assistant Directors of Central Intelligence. (Sec. 713) Amends the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949 to establish a General Counsel of the CIA. (Sec. 714) Amends the Act to: (1) establish the Office of Congressional Affairs of the Intelligence Community; and (2) authorize intelligence agencies to collect information outside the United States about non-U.S. persons at the request of a law enforcement agency. (Sec. 716) Revises Act provisions to require the Secretary to obtain the concurrence of the DCI before appointing an individual to fill a vacancy for Director of NSA or Director of NRO. Directs the department head having jurisdiction over the position to consult with the DCI before appointing or recommending to the President an individual to fill a vacancy for: Director of DIA, Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research, Director of the Office of Non-proliferation and National Security of the Department of Energy, and Assistant Director, National Security Division of the FBI. Requires the DCI to provide annually to the Secretary an evaluation of the performance of the Directors of the NSA, NRO, and NIMA. (Sec. 717) Amends the Act to require the DCI to establish a personnel system to be known as the Intelligence Community Senior Executive Service. (Sec. 718) Requires the President to include in his annual budget submission in unclassified form the aggregate amounts appropriated during the current fiscal year and requested for the next fiscal year for all intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the U.S. Government. (Sec. 719) Repeals a provision that prohibits members of the Senate Intelligence Committee from serving continuously for more than eight years. Bars any Member from serving continuously as chairman or vice chairman of the select committee for more than six years. (Sec. 720) Requires the DCI to report to the Congress on the results of a review of the threats to the United States on protecting the national information infrastructure against information warfare and other non-traditional attacks and on the counterintelligence response of the DCI. Title VIII: National Imagery and Mapping Agency - Establishes the NIMA to: (1) provide timely, relevant, and accurate imagery, imagery intelligence, and imagery-related products and geospatial information in support of U.S. national security objectives; (2) support the imagery requirements of the Department of State and other non-DOD agencies; and (3) support the combat and other operational requirements of DOD. Provides for: (1) CIA support for NIMA; and (2) funds for foreign imagery intelligence and geospatial information support and for civil applications.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1996
Adoption Promotion Act of 1996 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual a tax credit of up to $5,000 for qualified adoption expenses paid or incurred during the taxable year. Provides a limitation based on modified adjusted gross income. Permits unused credit to be carried forward to the succeeding taxable year on a first-in first-out basis, but prohibits carrying forward credit to any taxable year following the fifth taxable year after the taxable year in which the credit arose. Allows distributions from an individual retirement plan to be used without penalty to pay for adoption expenses. Excludes from gross income aggregate amounts of up to $5,000 ($7,500 in the case of a child with special needs) paid or expenses incurred by the employee for qualified adoption expenses in connection with the adoption of a child if such amounts are received under an employer's adoption assistance program. Provides a limitation based on modified adjusted gross income.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1996
Adolescent Family Life and Abstinence Education Act of 1996 - Amends Public Health Service Act provisions relating to adolescent family life demonstration projects to include the provision of abstinence information in the definition of "necessary services." Mandates, in approving demonstration project grants, adequate representation of both urban and rural areas. Requires a simplified and expedited application process for applicants seeking less than $15,000. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the demonstration project provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1996
Provides for observation of a moment of silence at 9:02 a.m. central daylight time on April 19, 1996, in remembrance of the victims of the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Commends the people of Oklahoma and the aid provided by rescuers, Federal agencies, countless volunteers, and Federal employees. Reaffirms trust in our system of justice to ensure that the perpetrators are convicted and punished.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Assessment of Programs and Policies for Combatting Proliferation Title II: Other Matters Combatting Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction Act of 1996 - Title I: Assessment of Programs and Policies for Combatting Proliferation - Establishes the Commission on Programs and Policies for Combatting the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction to study and report recommendations to the Congress for improving U.S. organizations, policies, and programs relating to combatting the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Other Matters - Requires the Director of Central Intelligence to report to the Congress every six months on: (1) the acquisition by foreign countries of technology relating to weapons of mass destruction and advanced conventional munitions; and (2) trends in such acquisition by such countries.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1996
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the governments of Greece and Turkey should: (1) submit to the International Court of Justice in The Hague their dispute over sovereignty to the islet in the Aegean Sea called Imia by Greece and Kardak by Turkey; and (2) agree to be bound by the Court's decision with respect to the dispute.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1996
Pays tribute to the remarkable life and career of Ronald H. Brown (the late Secretary of Commerce) and to the contributions of all those who perished in the airplane accident on April 3, 1996, while in service to their country on a mission to Bosnia. Extends condolences to the victims' families.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1996
Professional Sports Franchise Relocation Act of 1996 - Exempts from antitrust laws a professional sports league's enforcement or application of a rule authorizing the membership of the league to decide whether or not a member team may be relocated. Requires persons seeking to change the home territory of a member team to furnish to the media and all interested parties notice of such proposed change within 210 days before the commencement of the season in which the team is to play in such other location. Requires a relocation decision by a professional sports league to be based on rules, procedures, and the consideration of criteria that include: (1) demonstrated fan loyalty and support for the team; (2) the extent the team received public financial support; and (3) whether the team has incurred net operating losses. Allows the decision by a professional sports league to approve or disapprove the relocation of a member team to be reviewed in a civil action brought by an interested party subject to specified limitations. Limits the relief granted by the reviewing court to enjoining or approving enforcement of the league's decision. Sets forth provisions concerning debt payments by teams that relocate from publicly owned facilities that remain subject to debt for construction or improvements. Provides that this Act shall not effect a stadium authority's rights to seek specific enforcement of its lease or a club's rights if any to seek a judicial determination that its lease has been breached. Requires any community from which such professional sports league franchise relocates to receive 180 days' prior notice of any league decision to expand. Gives the community an opportunity to compete for such an expansion franchise on grounds no less favorable that those afforded to other communities. Applies this Act to any league action addressing relocation of a member team on or after June 1, 1995.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1996
Revises Federal criminal code provisions regarding using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime to increase mandatory minimum sentences for criminals possessing firearms under such circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1996
Independent Contractor Tax Simplification Act of 1996 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that, for purposes of determining the employment status of individuals as employees, a service provider shall not be treated as an employee, a service recipient shall not be treated as an employer, a payor shall not be treated as an employer, and compensation paid or received for such service shall not be treated as paid or received with respect to employment if certain conditions are met.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Amendments to the National Security Act of 1947 Title II: Temporary Authority to Eliminate Certain Positions Title III: Intelligence Community Senior Executive Service Intelligence Organization Act of 1996 - Title I: Amendments to the National Security Act of 1947 - Amends the National Security Act of 1947 (the Act) to establish the positions of Deputy Director of Central Intelligence for the Intelligence Community and Deputy Director of Central Intelligence for the Central Intelligence Agency. Outlines appointment provisions with respect to each position. (Sec. 102) Requires the concurrence of the Director of Central Intelligence with respect to the appointment of the heads of the National Security Agency, the Central Imagery Office, and the National Reconnaissance Office by the Secretary of Defense (current law), or requires such concurrence to accompany the recommendation of the Secretary when such appointments are made by the President. Requires the Director to provide annually to the Secretary an evaluation of the performance of the heads of such agencies in fulfilling their responsibilities with respect to the National Foreign Intelligence Program. (Sec. 103) Redesignates the National Intelligence Council as the National Assessments Center and requires the Center to: (1) be accessible to policy making officials and persons who are not otherwise associated with the intelligence community; (2) produce classified and unclassified assessments of long-term issues of major importance to U.S. national security interests; and (3) obtain the services of substantive private-sector experts in the preparation of particular estimates or assessments. (Sec. 104) Redesignates the Central Imagery Office as the National Imagery and Mapping Agency. Title II: Temporary Authority to Eliminate Certain Positions - Authorizes the Director and the Secretary, for one year after enactment of this title, to eliminate positions under their authority in order to achieve more effectively and efficiently the missions of the agencies concerned, but allows such authority only when the Director or the Secretary determines that reductions in the workforce of particular agencies of ten percent or more above the personnel levels previously mandated by the Congress or the President are needed. Requires the Director or the Secretary, if such authority is exercised, to issue regulations governing such authority which contain specified employee retirement protections and alternative employment placement assistance. Requires the Director or Secretary, if such authority is exercised, to: (1) inform the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence; (2) provide a copy of the regulations issued; and (3) provide a detailed report to such committees of the results of the exercise of such authority within 30 days after such authority is terminated. Title III: Intelligence Community Senior Executive Service - Amends the Act to require the Director to establish a personnel system for senior civilian personnel within the Intelligence Community to be known as the Intelligence Community Senior Executive Service. Specifies the various intelligence agencies and offices that shall be included in the Service. Requires the Director to delegate to the heads of the various intelligence agencies and offices the authority to appoint, promote, and assign individuals to the Service. Provides transition provisions. Provides that once the Service has been established, no individual may be selected for membership unless he or she is a career employee of the Intelligence Community and has served at least one assignment outside his or her employing agency. Authorizes the President to award ranks to Service members. Authorizes the Director to detail or assign Service members to positions outside their parent organization, including elsewhere in the Intelligence Community, another Government agency, or outside the Federal Government. Protects Service entitlement and status of any reassigned members during such alternative service. Requires the Director to submit to the Congress an annual report concerning the Service.
United States · United States Congress · 29 February 1996
Condemns the terror attacks in Jerusalem and Ashkelon. Extends condolences to the victims' families and to the Government and people of Israel. Calls upon: (1) the Palestinian Authority, the elected Palestinian Council, and Chairman Arafat to apprehend the perpetrators of terror attacks, to do more to prevent such acts in the future, and to eschew all statements and gestures which signal tolerance for such acts and their perpetrators; and (2) the Authority and the Council to take all possible action to eliminate terrorist activities by Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and all other such terror groups. Urges: (1) all parties to the peace process to bring to justice the perpetrators of acts of terrorism and to cease harboring, financing, and arming terror groups; and (2) the Clinton Administration to act against those who continue to harbor, arm, or finance terror groups seeking to undermine the peace process.
![Official portrait of Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000709_200.jpg)