United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1991
White Clay Creek Study Act - Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate the White Clay Creek in Delaware and Pennsylvania for potential addition to the Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to complete and report on the study within three years after enactment of this Act. Requires the Secretary to: (1) prepare a map of the White Clay Creek Watershed in Delaware and Pennsylvania; and (2) to develop a protection and management plan for the Creek. Directs the Secretary to prepare the study and such plan in cooperation with appropriate State and local governments and affected landowners.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1991
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a program for furnishing marriage and family counseling services to veterans who were awarded a campaign medal for active-duty service during the Persian Gulf War, reservists who were called or ordered to active duty during such War, and their spouses, dependents, and parents. Authorizes the Secretary to provide marriage and family counseling services that the Secretary determines, based on an assessment by a mental-health professional, is necessary for the amelioration of psychological, marital, or familial difficulties resulting from such active-duty service. Outlines provisions concerning the manner in which such services will be furnished, as well as qualifications required of the marriage and family counselors performing such services. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1991 through 1994. Terminates the program at the end of FY 1994. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on such program, with recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1991
Fruit and Vegetable Producers Emergency Assistance Act of 1991 - Title I: Emergency Crop Loss Assistance - Subtitle A: Fruits and Vegetables - Provides disaster payments for and prevented planting credit for fruit and vegetable producers who suffered 1991 crop reductions due to 1990 or 1991 adverse weather conditions. Bases payment rates on crop loss percentages. Makes payments on a crop-by-crop basis. Prohibits 1991 payments unless a producer agrees to obtain 1992 and 1993 crop insurance, with specified exceptions. Authorizes 1991 crop quality reduction payments for producers incurring specified crop production deficiencies. Limits the Federal share of such assistance to 50 percent. Reduces disaster payments for producers receiving Federal crop insurance payments. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) program fund transfers; (2) de minimis yields; and (3) producer eligibility. Prohibits double payments on replanted acreage. Subtitle B: Administrative Provisions - Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) timing and manner of assistance; (2) use of the Commodity Credit Corporation; (3) duplicative payments; and (4) authorization of emergency designation of outlays. Title II: Other Emergency Provisions - Provides disaster assistance loan guarantees (through the Rural Development Insurance Fund) for rural businesses adversely affected by 1990 or 1991 weather conditions. Limits: (1) individual guarantees to $500,000; and (2) aggregate program guarantees to $300,000,000. Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to authorize disaster assistance for rehabilitation or restoration of damaged trees. Increases assistance limits. Amends the emergency grants for low-income migrant and seasonal worker program to: (1) increase assistance limits; (2) include packing house workers; and (3) provide housing cost assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1991
Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 1991 - Establishes an emergency unemployment compensation program. Allows any State to enter into and participate in an agreement with the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) under which the State agency which administers the State unemployment compensation law will make payments of emergency unemployment compensation: (1) to individuals who have exhausted all rights to regular compensation under State law, have no rights to such regular compensation or any additional State or Federal compensation, and are not receving Canadian compensation; and (2) for any week of unemployment beginning in the individual's eligibility period. Sets forth provisions relating to exhaustion of regular benefits and weekly amount of emergency benefits equal to regular benefits. Requires a State, under such an agreement, to establish an emergency unemployment compensation account with respect to the benefit year of each eligible individual who files an application. Limits benefit payments to not more than the amount in the individual's account. Sets forth formulas for determining the amount in such account. Provides that such amount shall be equal to the lesser of: (1) 100 percent of the total amount of regular compensation (including dependents' allowances) payable to the individual with respect to the most recent regular benefit year; or (2) the applicable limit times the average weekly benefit amount for the benefit year. Sets the applicable limit at: (1) 20 for an eight-percent period, i.e. one triggered by a total unemployment rate (TUR) of eight percent or more in the State, seasonally adjusted, for the most recent six calendar months with available data; (2) 13 for a seven-percent period; (3) seven for a six-percent period; and (4) four for any other period. Sets forth special rules relating to such applicable limits. Requires reduction in such account by the amount of extended benefits received by the individual relating to the same benefit year under the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970. Sets the weekly benefit amount at the amount of regular compensation (including dependents' allowances) payable under the State law to the individual for such week for total unemployment. Provides for determination of periods and applicable triggers. Sets forth transition and reachback provisions for the eligibility of certain individuals for such benefits. Provides for payments to States having such agreements for emergency unemployment compensation. Sets forth financing provisions. Requires that funds in the extended unemployment compensation account of the Unemployment Trust Fund be used to make payments to States having agreements under this Act. Sets forth provisions relating to fraud and overpayments. Amends specified Federal law to repeal certain limitations on payment of unemployment compensation to former members of the armed forces. Reduces the length of required active duty by reserves for purposes of such payment. Sets forth reachback provisions. Amends the Social Security Act to establish an Advisory Council on Unemployment Compensation. Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish such a council by February 1, 1992, and every fourth year thereafter. Requires each such council to evaluate the unemployment compensation program. Sets forth membership and staff provisions. Requires each council to report to the President and the Congress by January 1 of the second year following the year in which it is required to be established. Designates as emergency requirements, pursuant to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, all direct spending amounts provided, and all appropriations authorized, by this Act (for all fiscal years). Provides that this Act shall not take effect unless, by its enactment date, the President submits to the Congress a written designation of all such direct spending amounts and authorized appropriations as such emergency requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1991
High Speed Surface Transportation Development Corporation Act of 1991 - Authorizes the establishment of a High Speed Surface Transportation Development Corporation to provide financial and other assistance to States to encourage the development and use of high speed surface transportation technologies, particularly in regions with dense population centers or high population growth rates. Declares that such corporation shall not be a Federal agency or establishment. Sets forth provisions with respect to the administration of the Corporation. Authorizes the Corporation, with the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury, to guarantee, for no more than 75 percent of total project costs, loans used in connection with the research, development, and construction of high speed surface transportation facilities (not including rolling stock). Sets forth certain requirements with respect to such guaranteed loans. Authorizes appropriations. Establishes in the Treasury the High Speed Surface Transportation Fund. Authorizes the Corporation to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to invest excess amounts of Fund money in U.S. obligations, or obligations guaranteed by the United States, or other governmental or agency obligations or U.S. securities. Authorizes the use of Fund moneys to pay for expenses of the Corporation and to back up its loan guarantees. Sets forth provisions with respect to the application for and agreements on the use of such guaranteed loans. Authorizes the Comptroller General to audit and report to the Congress on the operations of the Fund. Requires the Corporation to transmit an annual report to the President and to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1991
Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow grants and contracts relating to health care for rural areas to be used for model programs to: (1) conduct interdisciplinary research; and (2) deliver health care promotion and disease prevention services to individuals residing in rural areas. Adds to the list of eligible applicants nonprofit public organizations and schools of, or programs in, physical therapy. Declares that the Pacific Basin is included in the definition of "rural area." Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1991
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the 1981 Israeli preemptive strike against the Iraqi nuclear reactor at Osirak was a legitimate and justifiable exercise of self-defense which also reduced the threat of Iraqi nuclear aggression against countries bordering Iraq; and (2) the United States should seek the repeal of United Nations Security Council Resolution 487 which condemned the strike.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1991
Deposit Insurance Protection Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to require a State whose State-chartered financial institutions cause disproportionate Federal insurance losses due to inadequate State regulation to pay high-risk insurance premiums.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1991
World Cup USA 1994 Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue a specified number of five-dollar gold coins, one-dollar silver coins, and half-dollar clad coins in commemoration of the 1994 World Cup and the unique appeal of soccer. Sets forth certain features of such coins and provides for their design, issuance, and sale. Requires that all sales include a surcharge of $35 per coin for the five-dollar coins, $7 per coin for the one-dollar coins, and $1 per coin for the half-dollar coins. Requires that all surcharges be paid to the Organizing Committee to organize and stage the 1994 World Cup. Requires that ten percent of such funds shall be made available through the U.S. Soccer Federation Foundation, Inc., for distribution to institutions for scholastic scholarships to qualified students.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1991
Benjamin Franklin Memorial Fire Service Bill of Rights Act - Title I: Minting of Benjamin Franklin National Memorial Commemorative Coin - Benjamin Franklin National Memorial Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue: (1) five dollar gold coins emblematic of Benjamin Franklin's contributions to the advancement of science; (2) one dollar silver coins emblematic of Benjamin Franklin's contributions to the American Fire Service. Sets forth sale and issuance guidelines, including a general waiver of procurement regulations and surcharge distributions. Title II: Fire Service Bill of Rights - Fire Service Bill of Rights Act - Amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to set forth a fire service bill of rights, including the right of responding fire services to: (1) know the kind of danger presented by hazardous materials they face in emergency responses; and (2) be fully informed of infectious diseases their members face during the course of life safety activities. Declares that the bill of rights does not create any private right of action.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1991
Agriculture Disaster Assistance Act of 1991 - Title I: Emergency Livestock Assistance - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to prohibit a person from receiving emergency feed assistance under this title and disaster assistance for the same 1991 weather damaged crops. Subjects eligible recipients to specified combined payments and benefits limitations. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to implement an emergency forage program to reseed 1991 weather damaged forage crops. Limits: (1) Federal cost-sharing to 50 percent; and (2) individual payments to $3,500. Funds such program through the Commodity Credit Corporation (with a $50,000,000 limit). Directs the Secretary to implement an emergency freshwater aquaculture assistance program to restore 1991 weather damaged structures. Limits: (1) Federal cost sharing to 50 percent; and (2) program costs to $5,000,000. Title II: Emergency Crop Loss Assistance - Subtitle A: Annual Crops - Directs the Secretary to make 1991 disaster payments to producers of wheat, feed grains, upland cotton, extra long staple cotton, rice, peanuts, sugar, tobacco, oilseeds, and other nonprogram crops. Extends crop quality reduction disaster assistance through the 1991 crop year. Reduces disaster assistance payments in relation to Federal crop insurance payments. Requires producers to obtain Federal crop insurance for 1992 in order to be eligible for disaster payments and other specified assistance for 1991 crop losses. Sets forth exempted circumstances. Requires the Secretary to announce within a specified time the conditions for establishing a 1991 farm yield for forage-use-crops. Limits assistance under this subtitle to $100,000. Prohibits double payments on replanted acreage. Authorizes: (1) the substitution of crop insurance program yields for 1991 disaster assistance eligibility purposes; and (2) the Secretary to determine a de minimis yield for each crop eligible for reduced yield disaster payments. Subtitle B: Administrative Provisions - Directs the Secretary to make full disaster assistance available as soon as possible. Subtitle C: Sense of Congress - Expresses the sense of the Congress regarding disaster payments' purposes of preserving farm livelihoods and the financial health of rural communities. Title III: Other Emergency Provisions - Directs the Secretary to provide loan guarantees through the Rural Development Insurance Fund to rural businesses (including Indian tribes) who have suffered 1991 disaster damage. Limits: (1) individual guarantees to 90 percent of $500,000; and (2) aggregate guarantees to $200,000,000. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to authorize temporary crop acreage base shifting.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1991
Directs the President to consult with foreign nations to seek to achieve an agreement on proportionate defense cost-sharing with each foreign nation with which the United States has a bilateral or multilateral defense agreement. Requires such agreement to include the equitable sharing of the costs to the United States of maintaining military personnel or equipment in that nation or otherwise providing for the defense of that nation. Requires the Secretary of Defense to maintain an accounting for defense cost-sharing under each agreement entered into, showing cost-sharing contributions agreed to, paid, or contributed to commonly-funded multilateral programs, as well as contributions made by the United States and other nations. Requires the President to report semiannually concerning efforts and progress in carrying out the provisions of this Act. Requires the Secretary to make semiannual reports containing the accounting of defense cost-sharing contributions.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1991
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, during the five-year period beginning on October 1, 1991, to conduct a rural mobile health care clinic program in States in which significant numbers of veterans reside in rural areas. Makes eligible for such mobile health care veterans otherwise eligible for veterans' health care who reside at least 100 miles from the nearest Department of Veterans Affairs health-care facility. Requires the Secretary to begin operation of at least three mobile health care clinics in each fiscal year of the program. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress an evaluation of the program. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 through 1996.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1991
Limited Partnership Rollup Reform Act of 1991 - Amends the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 to revise proxy solicitation rules with respect to partnership rollup transactions (in which general partners combine several limited partnerships into one unit that trades on a stock exchange). Requires any proxy rules prescribed by the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) to: (1) permit dissenting shareholders in a proposed rollup to contact other limited partners before the transaction date without first having to file a written proxy statement with the SEC; (2) prohibit any general partner from paying directly or indirectly any person providing solicitation services (a broker-dealer) on the basis of whether the solicitations either approve or disapprove the proposed transaction, or the compensation is contingent on the transaction's approval or completion; (3) require the issuer to provide to a shareholder (limited partner) a list of all limited and general partners involved in the proposed rollup; (4) require the rollup prospectus to be clear, concise, and understandable and summarize all effects of the proposed transaction, conflicts of interest, changes in voting rights and ownership interests, dissenters' rights, and other pertinent information; (5) provide that the soliciting material describe in reasonable detail any opinion, appraisal, or report that is prepared by a person, unaffiliated with the general partner or sponsor and received by the entity subject to the transaction or its affiliates and that is related to the proposed transition; (6) require that each prospectus be accompanied by an independent opinion on the rollup's fairness; and (7) give each shareholder at least 60 days to review the prospectus; and (8) contain such other provisions as the SEC determines necessary. Requires the rules of a national securities association to prevent association members from participating in any rollup transaction unless it protects the rights of dissenting limited partners, including: (1) the right to an appraisal and compensation, or to retain a security under the same terms as the original issue; (2) the right not to have dissenters' voting power unfairly reduced or abridged; (3) the right not to bear the costs of a rejected rollup; and (4) restrictions on the conversion of management profit-sharing interests and incentive fees into asset-based management fees. Requires a national securities exchange to prohibit the listing of any security resulting from a rollup transaction unless it provided for such dissenters' rights. Requires SEC rules to prohibit any national market system from trading any security resulting from a rollup transaction unless it provided for such dissenters' rights.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1991
Small Business Economic Opportunity Enhancement Act of 1991 - Amends the Small Business Act to establish a five-year microloan demonstration program to: (1) make direct loans to intermediaries (such as community development corporations) for short-term loans to eligible small businesses; and (2) make grants to intermediaries for marketing, management, and technical assistance to small business borrowers.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1991
Expresses the sense of the Senate encouraging international participation in new technologies for high speed rail and magnetic levitation transportation systems and in the development of facilities in the United States for research and manufacturing of such systems. Encourages continuing positive commercial relations between the United States and Japan. Requests the President to work with the Japanese Government to secure international investment in this area.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1991
Shipbuilding and Repair Industry Free Trade Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to annually determine and publish the net shipbuilding and repair subsidy provided, directly and indirectly, to each major shipbuilding and repair company in foreign countries meeting certain requirements. Requires the information submitted to the Secretary in connection with the determinations to be treated as proprietary if it meets certain requirements of the Tariff Act of 1930. Requires each company to repay to its government the total value of the aggregate subsidy provided, plus interest. Directs the Secretary to: (1) require certification from both the company and the foreign government that the payments have occurred; and (2) if requested, verify the repayment. Directs the Secretary, if a company has not complied, to direct the Commandant of the Coast Guard to collect an annual assessment on each vessel constructed or repaired by the company. Sets the amount of the assessment at the amount of the net subsidy, adjusted by partial repayments and increased by any previous unpaid assessment. Prohibits a vessel from entering a U.S. port until the assessment is paid in full. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to provide for the judicial review of subsidy assessment determinations by the U.S. Court of International Trade.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1991
Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act of 1991 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from diminishing existing allocations of spectrum (available radio frequencies) to the amateur radio service after January 1, 1991. Requires the FCC to provide replacement spectrum to the service for any frequency reallocation after such date.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the provisions permitting small issues of tax-exempt bonds to finance manufacturing facilities and farm property.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1991
El Salvador Peace, Security, and Justice Act of 1991 - Limits the amount of military assistance for El Salvador for FY 1992. Prohibits the provision of such assistance if the President reports to the appropriate congressional committees that: (1) the Salvadoran Government has declined to participate in negotiations for a permanent settlement and cease-fire to the armed conflict; (2) the Salvadoran Government has failed to support an active role for the United Nations Secretary General in mediating such settlement; (3) the Salvadoran Government is not conducting an investigation into, and prosecution of those responsible for, the murders at the University of Central America; or (4) the Salvadoran military and security forces are engaging in violent acts against civilians or are failing to control such activities by elements subject to their control. Provides for the resumption of such assistance pursuant to a law enacted by the Congress. Withholds 50 percent of military assistance allocated for FY 1992 and of unobligated assistance for prior fiscal years. Releases such assistance only if: (1) the Farabundo Marti Liberation Front (FMLN) has declined to participate in negotiations for a settlement or have failed to accept the Secretary General's role in such settlement; (2) the survival of the Salvadoran Government is being jeopardized by FMLN actions; (3) proof exists that the FMLN is continuing to acquire significant shipments of lethal military assistance from outside El Salvador; or (4) the FMLN is engaging in violent acts against civilians or is failing to control such activities by elements subject to its control. Conditions the provision of military assistance to El Salvador on the prior notification of the appropriate congressional committees. Prohibits U.S. assistance to El Salvador if the elected head of the government is deposed by military coup or decree. Provides for the resumption of such assistance pursuant to a law enacted by the Congress. Establishes the Demobilization and Transition Fund to assist in monitoring a settlement of the conflict and in demobilizing combatants in such conflict and aiding their transition to peaceful pursuits. Makes amounts in the Fund available only if the President notifies the appropriate congressional committees that a permanent settlement of the conflict has been reached. Transfers withheld military assistance to the Fund on the date of such notification or on September 30, 1992, if no notification has occurred. Authorizes the delivery of U.S. military assistance to the Salvadoran armed forces only with the prior approval of the elected president of El Salvador. Directs the Secretary of State, through agreement with the National Endowment for Democracy or other qualified organizations, to continue programs to strengthen democratic, political, and legal institutions in El Salvador. Makes available economic support fund (ESF) assistance for such program. Authorizes the Secretary to cooperate with the United Nations to implement the Human Rights Accord agreed to by the Salvadoran Government and the FMLN and to provide assistance in support of the United Nations Observer Force in El Salvador. Makes ESF assistance available for such purposes. Withholds a specified amount of military assistance for El Salvador until the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that the Salvadoran Government has pursued all legal avenues to investigate, bring to trial, and obtain verdicts against those responsible for the murders of certain land reformers, peasants, priests, and unionists. Repeals provisions of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1991 concerning military assistance for El Salvador.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1991
Manufacturing Strategy Act of 1991 - Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act to direct the Department of Commerce to be the lead civilian agency for working with U.S. industry to: (1) develop new generic advanced manufacturing technologies; and (2) encourage and assist the deployment and use of advanced manufacturing equipment and techniques throughout the United States. Requires the Secretary of Commerce (the Secretary) to establish an Advanced Manufacturing Systems and Networking Project to create a collaborative multi-year technology development program in the Institute, U.S. industry, and, as appropriate, the States, to develop, refine, test, and transfer advanced computer-integrated electronically-networked manufacturing technologies and associated applications. Authorizes appropriations for such Project. States that it shall be a mission of all Federal research and development agencies to support the national technology base. Sets forth specifics of the required support. Provides for the establishment of programs to provide fellowships to: (1) graduate students at institutions of higher education who choose to pursue masters or doctoral degrees in manufacturing engineering; and (2) industrial executives to serve as instructors in manufacturing at two-year community and technical colleges. Authorizes appropriations for such fellowships. Establishes a National Quality Laboratory to disseminate information and materials and promote education and research activities regarding ways in which companies and organizations can improve their quality management programs and productivity. Authorizes appropriations for such Laboratory. Amends provisions of Federal law to require the Secretary, under provisions which require the Secretary to provide assistance for the creation and support of Regional Centers (Centers) for the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology, to provide assistance for the creation and support of National Centers for Manufacturing and Process Technology (National Centers). Provides that if a Center receives a positive evaluation after its third year of operation the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (the Institute) may contract with the Center to provide additional technology extension or transfer services above and beyond the baseline activities of the Center. Specifies what such additional services may include. States that the objective of the National Centers program is to enhance manufacturing productivity and quality. Authorizes appropriations. Establishes within the Institute a State Technology Extension Program and sets forth its authorities. Establishes a National Commission on Industrial Modernization for the purpose of examining what steps must be taken by industry and government to ensure that within a decade the U.S. has a modern industrial infrastructure second to no other nation. Authorizes appropriations for the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1991
Federal Technology Strategy Act of 1991 - Amends the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 to direct the President to develop Federal technology development plans for specified areas of technology and identify national needs in those areas. Requires that the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy serve as the lead Federal official for preparation of the plans. Designates the Department of Commerce as the lead civilian agency and the Department of Defense as the lead defense agency. Requires that the Director review the budget of each department and agency, in the context of the plans, before submission. Requires that the Director summarize Federal funding proposed for each of the critical technologies or groups of technologies identified in the most recent biennial critical technologies report. Requires Federal agencies, as appropriate, to support: (1) industry-led projects to develop new generic enabling technologies; and (2) collaboration with State and industry to accelerate commercialization and use of new advanced technologies. Requires each Federal research and development agency to provide funds to support activities under the Advanced Technology Program. Prohibits Federal departments and agencies and any organization in the United States which receives Federal research and development funding from participating in or assisting any technology development project that is operated by or receives funds from a foreign government with which the U.S. Government has a science and technology agreement unless the participation is approved in advance by the Director or the Secretary of Commerce. Authorizes banning violators from receiving Federal research assistance for two years. Requires, when such approval has been obtained, that any Federal department or agency channel funding through U.S.-based joint research and development ventures. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to report to the Congress on actions that can be taken by private industry, the States, and the Federal Government to increase private investment in: (1) the development and production of new commercial technologies; and (2) the use and application of advanced manufacturing and process technologies.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1991
Advanced Manufacturing Technology Act of 1991 - Title I: Advanced Manufacturing Technology Management - Amends the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 to direct the President, through the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology, to develop and submit to the Congress, at least once every two years, a strategic road map, covering at least four years after the year in which it is issued, for advanced manufacturing technology (AMT). Establishes the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Advisory Committee. Requires that the Council serve as the lead Federal entity for the development of the map and interagency coordination of Federal AMT activities. Title II: Advanced Manufacturing Technology Development - Part A: Department of Defense - Directs the Secretary of Defense to: (1) refine and implement the National Defense Manufacturing Technology Plan; and (2) encourage AMT research and development of the U.S. public and private sectors. Directs the Secretary to establish one or more Advanced Manufacturing Technology Partnerships to encourage the development and use of generic, precompetitive AMT. Requires each Partnership to be composed of at least two eligible firms. Allows other participants. Authorizes appropriations. Part B: Department of Commerce - Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to establish, in the Advanced Technology Program, the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Component to provide financial support for activities to identify and solve generic problems associated with research and development in AMT and with the establishment of technical standards in AMT. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish one or more such Partnerships. Authorizes appropriations. Part C: Other Departments and Agencies - Directs the Secretary of Energy, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the Director of the National Science Foundation each to establish such Partnerships. Authorizes appropriations. Part D: Administrative and Other Provisions for Partnerships - Requires the participants in each Partnership to designate a lead institution to direct the Partnership. Provides for submission and contents of Partnership proposals, cost-sharing requirements, competitive selection of Partnerships, and protection of information. Part E: Additional Definitions - Sets forth definitions for purposes of this title. Title III: Manufacturing Extension Programs - Amends Federal law to direct the Secretary of Defense to promote the improvement of defense foundation firms (currently, of the subtier defense industry) through the use of manufacturing extension programs (currently, the use of manufacturing extension programs and other organizations). Requires the extension programs to be carried out under existing provisions relating to regional centers for the transfer of manufacturing technology or provisions added by this Act relating to a National Manufacturing Extension Program. Revises the definition of "manufacturing extension programs" to mean public and private nonprofit programs (currently, publicly-chartered organizations and services) for certain purposes aimed at small and medium-sized (currently, small) manufacturing firms. Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to direct the Secretary of Commerce to conduct the National Manufacturing Extension Program to: (1) encourage efforts to improve manufacturing quality, productivity, and performance; (2) promote development of a broad range of AMT programs; and (3) increase the involvement of appropriate private sector segments. Authorizes: (1) assistance through contracts, cooperative agreements, or other financial arrangements; and (2) technical assistance. Authorizes one-time grants to States which, due to chronic economic disadvantages, lack the resources to establish and sustain AMT programs. Declares that there is an Interagency Council on Manufacturing Extension to take such actions as advising the Secretary of Commerce and providing for coordinated implementation regarding the Extension Program. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) the Department of Commerce to carry out provisions of this Act relating to the Extension Program and the Council; and (2) the Department of Defense to carry out provisions relating to the Program and the Council and for transfer to the Department of Commerce for the conduct of the Extension Program. Title IV: Manufacturing Education and Training - Part A: Defense Manufacturing Engineering Education - Establishes a program of grants to higher education institutions for enhancement of existing and establishment of new manufacturing engineering education programs. Requires that at least ten grants be awarded within one year after enactment of this Act. Requires that a supported program be: (1) conducted at the undergraduate or graduate levels, or both; (2) a consolidated and integrated multidisciplinary program including multidisciplinary instruction, work experience opportunities, faculty and student research, and significant private sector involvement. Authorizes appropriations. Part B: Manufacturing Managers in the Classroom - Directs the Secretary of Defense to conduct the Manufacturing Managers in the Classroom Program to support employment of experienced manufacturing managers and experts as teachers in higher education institutions. Authorizes appropriations to: (1) the Department of Defense to carry out the Program and for transfer to the Department of Commerce for the conduct of the Program; and (2) the Department of Commerce to carry out this part. Title V: International Activities in Advanced Manufacturing - Earmarks certain funds, authorized to be appropriated to the Departments of Defense and Energy under title II of this Act, for AMT activities under the authority of technology agreements entered into by the United States and other nations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1991
National Critical Technologies Act of 1991 - Title I: Federal Management of National Critical Technologies - Amends the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 to direct the President, through the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology, to develop and submit to the Congress, at least once every two years, a strategic road map, covering at least four years after the year in which it is issued, for each national critical technology. Specifies the required contents of each map, including: (1) assessing current U.S. strengths and weaknesses in developing and applying the covered technologies; (2) specifying goals and priorities in enhancing development or application; (3) increasing access to foreign technology; and (4) identifying feasible joint actions of Federal departments and agencies. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish one or more critical technologies advisory committees to advise the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology (Coordinating Council) and review each map. Requires that the Coordinating Council: (1) serve as the lead Federal agency for development of the maps and interagency coordination of map-related activities; (2) review the Federal budget prior to submission and submit review results to the Executive Office of the President. Title II: Federal Support for Development of Critical Technologies - Part A: Department of Defense - Directs the Secretary of Defense to enter into cooperative arrangements, each known as a Defense Dual-Use Technology Partnership, to encourage and provide for research and development of dual-use critical technologies identified in the annual defense critical technologies plan mandated by current law. Amends Federal law to authorize the Secretary of Defense, in carrying out advanced research projects through the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) or a military department (currently, through DARPA), to enter into cooperative agreements and other transactions with any entity. Allows the Secretary to authorize the Secretary of the military department concerned to enter into such transactions. Repeals provisions terminating, on a specified date, the Secretary's authority to enter into such agreements. Sets forth special rules for applying existing provisions (relating to payments by the Department of Defense of independent research development costs) to a specified portion of costs attributable to participation in critical technology research and development consortia meeting certain requirements. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the Partnership provisions. Part B: Other Departments and Agencies - Directs the Secretary of Commerce, through the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology acting under the Advanced Technology Program, to continue to support the activities of U.S. industry and joint ventures associated with applications of national critical technologies. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of Energy to enter into cooperative arrangements, each known as a Department of Energy Critical Technology Partnership, for research and development of critical technologies selected by the Secretary, with each Partnership required to be composed of at least two eligible firms and at least one Department of Energy (DOE) laboratory. Allows other participants. Mandates similar Critical Technology Partnerships within the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Authorizes appropriations separately for DOE, NASA, and HHS. Part C: Administrative Provisions Relating to Critical Technology Partnerships - Requires that the participants in each Partnership designate a lead institution to direct Partnership activities. Requires: (1) non-Federal participants to contribute at least half of the total Partnership cost; and (2) Partnership selection to be made through a competitive process using specified criteria. Allows an agreement establishing a Partnership to include a requirement that a participant make payments to the department or agency establishing the Partnership. Protects trade secrets and information that is privileged or confidential. Part D: Additional Definitions - Sets forth definitions applicable to this title. Title III: Critical Technology Application Centers - Amends Federal law to direct the Secretary of Defense to conduct the Critical Technology Application Centers Assistance Program, to assist regional critical technology application centers. Requires a center to: (1) include eligible firms conducting business in the region; and (2) be sponsored by an agency connected in one of specified ways to State or local governments. Declares the purpose of a center to be to facilitate the use of national critical technologies for commercial purposes to enhance the development and economic sustainability of the capability of an industry of the region to compete internationally and, in the case of military applications, thereby to maintain industrial capabilities vital to national security. Allows center activities to include: (1) joint research and development; (2) proprietary research and development (limited to a specified percentage of center costs); and (3) sharing of information, equipment, personnel, and expertise. Authorizes the Secretary to provide to a center financial assistance (limited to 30 percent of costs) and technical assistance for up to six years. Prohibits financial assistance for construction. Requires the sponsoring agency to pay at least 30 percent and participating firms to pay at least 40 percent of center costs. Requires that non-Federal participants pay the total costs for proprietary research and development. Requires assistance to be awarded under a competitive process according to specified criteria. Directs the Secretary of Defense to appoint a panel to evaluate the activities of each center receiving financial assistance. Prohibits further assistance to a center if the panel determines that the center's activities are not consistent with center purposes as specified in this Act. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Defense and Commerce to carry out the Program. Title IV: Foreign Technology Monitoring and Assessment - Requires the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology to: (1) coordinate Federal monitoring of foreign technology developments; (2) facilitate joint foreign science and technology monitoring and assessment efforts of Federal departments and agencies; and (3) establish strategic goals and priorities for the clearinghouses established by this title. Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to establish in the Office of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology the Clearinghouse of Foreign Commercial Technology Monitoring and Assessment (Commerce Clearinghouse) to serve as the lead Federal agency for the compilation and dissemination of unclassified information and assessments on foreign research, development, and application of commercial critical technologies. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a merit-based foreign critical technology monitoring and assessment grant program for the establishment of foreign critical technology monitoring and assessment offices in Europe and on the Pacific Rim Area. Limits support for an office to six years and 50 percent of operating and capital costs. Requires each office to disseminate its assessments to the Commerce Clearinghouse. Authorizes appropriations. Amends Federal law to declare that there is, in the Office of the Director of Defense Research and Engineering, the Clearinghouse of Foreign Defense Technology Monitoring and Assessment (Defense Clearinghouse). Includes among Defense Clearinghouse responsibilities: (1) creating unclassified and classified data bases; and (2) ensuring maximum public availability of information in those data bases through limiting restrictive classification and through disseminating information to the Commerce Clearinghouse. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes making available to the National Science Foundation, for support of the assessment of foreign capabilities in critical technologies, specified sums from the amounts authorized by this Act for the Commerce and Defense Clearinghouses.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1991
Prohibits the proposed sale to the United Arab Emirates of AH-64 APACHE attack helicopters and related defense articles and services, and design and construction services described in the certification submitted to the Congress pursuant to the Arms Export Control Act on June 11, 1991.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the treatment of rental and nonrental real estate activities under the limitations on losses from passive activities.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1991
Small Town Environmental Planning Act of 1991 - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a small community environmental compliance planning program for facilities that are owned or operated by, or under contract with, a small community, or with respect to which an environmental compliance activity is dependent. Provides for voluntary participation in such program. Requires the Administrator to publish a list of requirements under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Clean Air Act, and the Toxic Substances Control Act to be addressed in small community environmental compliance plans. Provides for the annual review of such list. Directs the Administrator to: (1) publish guidelines for small communities or States responsible for the development of such plans; and (2) promulgate regulations setting forth the requirements for submission of such plans. Sets forth plan format requirements. Requires regulations, at a minimum, to: (1) identify areas of environmental regulation where there are significant problems in achieving compliance or noncompliance with implementation schedules under such Acts; and (2) estimate the amount of user fees necessary for the financing of environmental compliance activities at treatment or disposal facilities owned, operated, or under contract with small communities and assess the ability of residents to pay such fees. Directs small communities participating in the program to prepare plans. Authorizes State agencies to prepare plans for small communities without sufficient resources to do so. Sets forth provisions concerning plan approvals and modifications. Requires the Administrator to provide for a mechanism under which a small community may apply for a waiver with respect to regulations issued under the Acts identified by this Act. Permits the Administrator to waive requirements where the small community demonstrates that compliance with regulations is not necessary to protect human health and the environment. Requires the Administrator, as part of the program, to: (1) notify small communities of the regulations through methods providing information to the greatest number of small communities; and (2) implement a technical assistance program to aid small communities in the preparation of plans. Provides for waivers to plan requirements, as necessary, and for the assessment of administrative penalties against facilities failing to meet requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1991
Corporate Pay Responsibility Act - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to declare that corporate officer compensation is a proper subject for action by the holder of securities. Mandates that a securities issuer include in its proxy statement clear and comprehensive information regarding corporate officer compensation. Itemizes disclosure contents. Authorizes security holders of specified market value or voting strength to nominate persons for election to the issuer's board of directors. Requires that such nominations be included in the issuer's proxy statement and form of proxy. Requires that, upon receipt of an entitled person's written request, an issuer promptly make available its list of security holders of record and any list of beneficial owners available to it. Establishes a monetary penalty for noncompliance. Sets forth confidentiality guidelines.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1991
Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize competitive grants to evaluate which preventive health screenings and health promotion activities achieve the highest cost-benefit and health improvement in order to monitor practices and trends in preventive medical care and technology. Establishes a clearinghouse to collect, store, analyze, and make available data provided through the evaluations. Requires the clearinghouse to: (1) rank health prevention and promotion activities; (2) establish practice guidelines for appropriate care; and (3) prepare model prevention insurance packages. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1991
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the American public should observe the 100th anniversary of filmmaking in 1993 and recognize the American Film Institute's leadership role in preserving the art of film.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
Tropical Forest Consumer Information and Protection Act of 1991 - Prohibits manufacturing or distributing any tropical wood or tropical wood product unless: (1) it bears a label or mark indicating the country in which the wood was grown and the name of the wood; or (2) that information is provided to the buyer at the point of sale. Requires sellers through a catalog or communications media to disclose the country of origin and the name of the wood. Mandates: (1) an annual report on tropical hardwood importation; (2) a program to assess the progress of tropical countries in managing and conserving their forests; and (3) an annual report on the status of forests in each tropical country. Declares that: (1) policies, incentives, and education encouraging the sustainable management of tropical forests and labeling of country of origin should be supported; and (2) it should be U.S. policy to pursue adoption of such measures pursuant to its activities within the International Tropical Timber Organization. Provides for civil monetary penalties for violation of the labeling requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1991
Comprehensive Services for Children and Youth Act of 1991 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award grants to eligible entities to pay 80 percent of the costs for activities relating to school-based or community-based coordinated educational and social services programs to strengthen the educational performance and future potential of at-risk youth (both in-school and out-of-school). Requires such grants to be awarded only to programs designed to: (1) co-locate a range of educational and social services; (2) provide multi-year services to at-risk children and youth and their families; (3) serve the specified target population; and (4) be coordinated by the eligible entity with activities under other Federal, State, and local grants received by partnership members for purposes and target populations described in this Act, into an integrated service delivery system co-located at a school or other community-based site accessible to and used by at-risk youth. Gives priority to eligible entities providing comprehensive services extending beyond traditional school or service hours, that may include year-round programs providing evening and weekend services. Allows such grants to be made for up to five years, if recipients make satisfactory progress toward program objectives. Requires an equitable geographic distribution to both urban and rural areas with a high proportion of at-risk youth. Authorizes bonus awards to recipients demonstrating increases in coordination and level of services above those anticipated in the application or interim report. Makes eligible to receive such grants, to serve in-school children and youth, a partnership between a local educational agency (LEA) that is eligible for certain funds for education of disadvantaged children under chapter 1 title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (chapter 1 program), and at least one nonprofit community-based organization with a history of providing social services to low-income at-risk youth and their families, and which: (1) must also include public health, child welfare, social services, job training, public housing agencies or other public agencies providing services to such youth and families; and (2) may include private industry councils, or other relevant planning and program implementation boards providing services to such youth and families. Makes eligible for such grants, to serve out-of-school youth, a partnership between at least one public entity of the types described above, or an LEA eligible for chapter 1 program funds, and at least one nonprofit comunity-based organization described above. Requires the eligible entity, to receive such a grant, to serve the following target population: (1) students enrolled in schools participating in school-wide projects assisted under the chapter 1 program, and their families; (2) students enrolled in schools that are the most economically disadvantaged within the LEA; (3) out-of-school youth at-risk of having limited future options as a result of teenage pregnancy and parenting, substance abuse, recent immigration, disability, limited English proficiency, family migration, illiteracy, being a child of a teen parent, living in a single parent household, or being a high school dropout; or (4) any combination of in-school and out-of-school youth. Allows the eligible entity to serve the families of such students or youth. Includes among authorized activities: (1) one-stop shopping programs in schools or nearby community-based service centers to provide comprehensive educational and social services to the target population and families, support necessary costs (such as rentals, leases, open and lock-up fees, maintenance, security, and operation), and encourage participation of service providers necessary for comprehensive services delivery; (2) unified eligibility procedures, integrated data bases or administrative structures, and secure confidentiality procedures for information-sharing and interagency communications, including various technological developments to improve coordination; (3) integrated needs assessment, case planning, and case management services, through staff support for interagency teams of service providers or hiring school-based social services coordinators or neighborhood youth corps; and (4) integrated social services for at-risk students, for smooth transitions of preschool children to elementary school and of secondary or alternative school students to job training, higher education, or full employment. Sets forth application requirements and limitations for planning grants. Requires grant funds under this Act to be used to supplement but not supplant non-Federal funds. Sets forth grant application requirements. Requires each eligible entity desiring such a grant to establish a coordinated services planning council to develop such application. Directs the Secretaries of Education and of Health and Human Services to jointly review such applications, and to consult with the Secretaries of Labor and of Housing and Urban Development, as appropriate. Requires grant recipients to submit annual interim reports to the Secretary of Education. Amends the Augustus F. Hawkins Human Resources Reauthorization Act of 1990 to direct the Federal Council on Children, Youth, and Families to: (1) identify and eliminate program regulations or practices that impede coordination and collaboration; (2) develop and implement plans for creating jointly funded programs, unified assessments, eligibility, application procedures, and confidentiality regulations that facilitate information-sharing; and (3) make recommendations to the Congress on legislative action needed to facilitate coordination of educational and social services. Directs the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) to study grants awarded under this Act to identify: (1) for elimination, regulatory and statutory obstacles encountered; and (2) for replication, appropriate innovative procedures and program designs. Directs the Secretary to evaluate the success of such grants in achieving outcome measures and coordinating services. Directs the Secretary to report, with recommendations, to specified congressional committees on such study. Sets forth requirements for grant payments, Federal and non-Federal shares, technical assistance, and dissemination of information on successful models through the National Diffusion Network. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 through 1996 to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1991
Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise the needs analysis. Revises the eligibility formula for Pell Grants (or basic educational opportunity grants) to refer to the Federal eligibility number under revised family contribution requirements. Repeals separate provisions, with respect to Pell Grants, for family contribution schedules and eligibility determinations (but specifies how general needs analysis provisions are to be applied to Pell Grants). Applies general student assistance needs analysis (need equals the cost of attendance minus the expected family contribution) to the program of grants to States for State student incentives (SSI grants). Applies general student assistance needs analysis cost of attendance requirements to Pell Grants. Includes as a cost of attendance an allowance based on expenses reasonably incurred for room and board costs for all types of student residences. Provides for institutional determination of certain types of costs incurred specifically when correspondence students fulfill a required period of residential training. Revises general student assistance needs analysis provisions for family contribution (and retitles such provisions "Federal eligibility") to include the following adjustments for Pell Grants: (1) exclusion from the family contribution of the standard income contribution and any veterans' educational benefits; and (2) notwithstanding that adjustment, use of any calculated contribution from student income in determining family contribution for Pell Grant purposes. Calls such modified expected family contribution the Federal eligibility number for Pell Grant eligibility purposes. Revises the data elements used in determining expected family contribution. Changes the designations "dependent student" and "independent student" to "student using the Parents First Model" and "student using a Students First model." Limits the number of family members who are at least half-time postsecondary students for whom the family may reasonably be expected to contribute to: (1) the dependent children only of the parents in the Parents First model; and (2) the student, spouse, and student's dependents only in the Students First model. Adds as data elements to be considered in determining expected family contribution: (1) the age of the older parent in the Parents First model and of the student in the Students First models; and (2) (except for Pell Grant determinations) the standard income contribution and the student's veterans' educational benefits. Eliminates as elements for such consideration: (1) unusual medical and dental expenses; and (2) number of dependent children enrolled in a private elementary or secondary institution and reimbursed tuition paid. Revises requirements governing family contribution for dependent students (renaming them "Federal eligibility for Parents First model"). Removes the student's spouse's income from calculation of the student contribution from income. Deems the following to have a zero family contribution: (1) a family receiving public assistance; or (2) a family with a parent's earned income below the earned income limitation for earned income credit purposes under the Internal Revenue Code. Includes only dependent children who will be at least half-time postsecondary students in the formula for determining the parents' contribution from adjusted available income. Eliminates deductions for a medical-dental expense allowance and an educational expense allowance from the determinations of parents' available income. Renames the standard maintenance allowance the income protection allowance. Increases the amount of such allowance in general and for various numbers of dependents in college. Revises, and provides separate tables for, the computation of the adjusted net worth of a business and of a farm. Increases the amount of the asset protection allowance for both two parent and one parent families, at various ages for the oldest parent. Sets the asset conversion rate at 12 percent. Sets the income supplemental amount from assets at zero for families who have a total income of $20,000 or less and have filed specified forms (or are not required to file) under the Internal Revenue Code. Sets the value of the principal place of residence at the lesser of the current market value or two times the total income. Determines the net value of such residence by subtracting from its value any outstanding liabilities or indebtedness against the assets. Revises the schedule for the parents' assessment from adjusted available income to change the rates for certain income levels. Revises the student contribution from available income in the Parents First model. Renames the mandatory self-help amount the standard income contribution. Increases the minimum contribution to $900 for a first-year undergraduate and $1,100 for any other student; but removes requirements for a greater contribution of 70 percent of the student's total income minus an adjustment to student (and spouse) income. Provides for updating of the standard income. Provides, in the Parents First model, for student (and spouse) contribution from assets (replacing provisions for determining their supplemental amount from assets). Sets forth provisions (similar to those for parents' contributions) for determining adjusted net worth of a business and value and net value of a principal place of residence. Provides for adjustment of the student's contribution, in the Parents First model, on the basis of individual circumstances for enrollment periods other than nine months. (Retains current provisions for adjustments of parents' contribution for enrollment periods other than nine months.) Revises requirements for family contribution for independent students without dependents (and renames them Federal eligibility for Students First model without dependent children). Revises the computation formula for such contribution. Requires the contribution from income to be not be less than the standard income contribution of $1,350. Considers a family receiving public assistance to have a zero family contribution. Adds veterans' benefits to such modified and combined income and assets contributions in determining the total expected family contribution. Revises the formula for the student's (and spouse's) contribution from income in the Students First model without dependents. Provides for deductions of specified allowances from total income. Renames the maintenance allowance for periods of nonenrollment the income protection allowance, and revises its amount (on the basis of student marital status and whether student and spouse are both in college). Sets the assessment of available income at 70 percent for all income levels. Revises the formula for the student's (and spouse's) contribution from assets in the Students First model without dependents. Revises the calculation of the student's net worth. Provides for adjustments of the student's contribution based on individual circumstances, for enrollment periods other than nine months, in the Students First model without dependents. Revises requirements for family contribution for independent students with dependents (and renames them Federal eligibility for Students First Model with dependent children). Revises the assessment schedule for adjusted available income. Provides that a family receiving public assistance shall be considered to have a zero family contribution. Renames the standard maintenance allowance the income protection allowance and increases its amount, which is based on family size and number in college. Eliminates a medical-dental allowance and an educational expense allowance, in determining the family's available income. Revises requirements for the family's income supplemental amount from assets, in the Students First model with dependents. Revises and increases the asset protection allowance for families and students, which is based on the student's age and marital status. Revises and provides separate formula tables for determination of adjusted net worth of a business and of a farm. Provides for determination of the value and net value of the principal place of residence by a revised method (similar to that described for the Parents First model). Sets the asset conversion rate at 12 percent for all income levels. Sets forth the revised assessment schedule for adjusted available income. Provides for adjustments of the student's contribution based on individual circumstances, for enrollment periods other than nine months, in the Students First model with dependents. Repeals certain provisions for a simplified needs analysis for low-income families. Allows granting discretionary authority to student financial aid administrators, in special circumstances, to use their discretionary authority to make case-by-case adjustments of the expected student or parent contribution (or both) and of the methodology used to calculate such contributions. Specifies that special circumstances mean conditions pertaining to an individual student. (Current law requires conditions that differentiate an individual student from a class of students.) Repeals certain conditions relating to discretionary adjustments to assets. Revises definitions of total income to include currently excluded: (1) proceeds of a sale of a farm or business assets resulting from foreclosure, forfeiture, bankruptcy, or involuntary liquidation; (2) unemployment compensation received by certain dislocated workers; and (3) college work-study income. Applies the Students First models (with or without dependent children, as applicable) to any student who is: (1) 24 years of age or older by July 1 of the award year; (2) an orphan or ward of the court; (3) a veteran of the U.S. armed forces; (4) a graduate or professional student; (5) one who has legal dependents other than a spouse; or (6) one for whom a financial aid administrator makes a documented determination that the student meets the Students First requirements by reason of other usual circumstances. Applies the Parents First model to any student who does not meet the Students First model requirements. Sets the student's standard income contribution to postsecondary educational expenses at: (1) $900 for first year undergraduates using the Parents First model; (2) $1,100 for all other students using the Parents First model; and (3) $1,350 for all students using one of the Students First models. Provides for updating of such standard income contribution. Revises provisions for forms and regulations to direct the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) to prescribe a simplified application form for use in determining need and eligibility for various student assistance programs. Directs the Secretary, to the extent funding is available, to ensure that no student or parent is charged a fee for processing the application form the Secretary prescribes. Allows States and institutions to charge a processing fee for forms not required by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to enter into at least two contracts with States, institutions of higher education, or private organizations to process the prescribed simplified application form and to issue eligibility reports.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1991
Urges the Government of Iran to extend to the Baha'i community the rights guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international agreements to which Iran is a party. Calls upon the President to continue to: (1) urge the Government of Iran to emancipate the Baha'i community by granting such rights; (2) emphasize that the United States regards the human rights practices of such Government, particularly its treatment of the Baha'is and other religious minorities, as a significant element in the development of U.S.-Iranian relations; and (3) cooperate with other governments and international organizations in efforts to protect the religious rights of the Baha'is and other minorities in Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1991
Condemns the murder of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and others in the bomb explosion on May 21, 1991. Expresses regret over the deaths of Gandhi and other victims of election violence in India. Offers condolences to Gandhi's widow and children and to the people of India. Stands in solidarity with the Indian people in their effort to sustain the most successful democratic tradition in the developing world.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1991
Mental Health Care Amendment Act of 1991 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide coverage of the services of marriage and family therapists, psychiatric nurses, and clinical mental health counselors and supplies furnished incident to such services.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1991
Support for Democracy, Human Rights, and Fair Trade in China Act of 1991 - Prohibits most-favored-nation treatment for Chinese products. Terminates such prohibition upon the President's certification to the Congress that China: (1) has ceased committing violations of internationally recognized human rights; (2) has ceased persecution of pro-democracy movement members; (3) permits unrestricted emigration; (4) has ceased religious persecution in China and Tibet; (5) has provided adequate protection of U.S. intellectual property rights, opened access to markets, increased purchases of U.S. goods and services, and has not attempted to hide the origin of goods manufactured in China; (6) has demonstrated its good faith participation in international efforts to control the proliferation of sophisticated military weapons and chemical, biological, and nuclear technologies; and (7) has ceased exporting products manufactured by forced or convict labor.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1991
Pledge of Allegiance Commemorative Coin Act - Establishes the Pledge of Allegiance Commemorative Coin Advisory Board to: (1) consult with the Secretary of the Treasury (the Secretary) regarding coin design; (2) oversee the expenditure of funds provided to the U.S. Capitol Historical Society for assisting its educational programs and providing non-operating improvements to the Capitol; and (3) establish rules and operating procedures to implement this Act. Directs the Secretary to issue five-dollar gold coins, one-dollar silver coins, and half dollar clad coins emblematic of the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Declares a general waiver of public contract procurement regulations governing coin mintage under this Act. Mandates that surcharges be distributed equally between the Treasury and the U.S. Capitol Historical Society. Provides for audits by the Comptroller General. Requires that: (1) all amounts received from the sale of coins be deposited in the coinage profit fund; and (2) the Secretary take actions to ensure that coin mintage and issuance under this Act will not result in any net cost to the Federal Government.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1991
Peace Corps Act Amendments of 1991 - Amends the Peace Corps Act to: (1) extend authorizations of appropriations for the Peace Corps through FY 1993; (2) establish the Foreign Currency Fluctuations, Peace Corps, Account to pay expenses for Peace Corps operations which exceed appropriations for such expenses as a result of currency exchange rate fluctuations. Authorizes appropriations for such Account. Permits former Peace Corps employees (who later become Federal employees) to contribute specified percentages of readjustment allowances received for Peace Corps service to their employing agencies in order to retain credit for such service in the computation of Federal retirement benefits. Reduces civil service retirement benefits for former Peace Corps volunteers who receive social security benefits and whose entitlement to an annuity is based on a separation from Federal service before this Act's enactment date. Requires the Director of the Peace Corps to contract with an eligible organization to conduct three evaluations of the health care needs of Peace Corps volunteers and the adequacy of the Peace Corps health care system. Provides for the submission of such evaluations to the Director, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Requires the Director and the Secretary of Labor to report to such committees on: (1) the information provided by the Peace Corps to its volunteers and applicants on the benefits and services to which volunteers or trainees may be entitled in the event they sustain injuries or become disabled during their Peace Corps service or training; (2) the efforts by the Peace Corps and the Department of Labor to coordinate the provision of such information to Peace Corps volunteers and applicants and the processing of claims by volunteers under the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA); (3) the number of Peace Corps volunteers and applicants who have filed claims under FECA and the percentage of claims that have been approved; and (4) the timeliness of approvals or denials of such claims. Encourages the Director to continue to develop, assist, and implement education-related programs which enable volunteers to share their volunteer experiences with primary and secondary school students and communities in the United States.
![Official portrait of Sen. Wofford, Harris [D-PA]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/w000665_200.jpg)