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Bill· SS. 961 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Defense and Security Assistance Chapter 1: Military and Related Assistance Chapter 2: International Military Education and Training Chapter 3: Antiterrorism Assistance Chapter 4: Narcotics Control Assistance Chapter 5: Peacekeeping Operations Chapter 6: Other Provisions Title II: Trade and Export Development Title III: Private Sector, Economic, and Development Assistance Chapter 1: Private Sector Enterprise Funds Chapter 2: Development Assistance Fund and Other Authorities Chapter 3: Peace Corps Chapter 4: International Disaster Assistance Programs Title IV: Peace and Security in the Middle East Title V: Other Regional Issues Title VI: International Organizations and Programs Title VII: Special Authorities and General Provisions Chapter 1: Reporting Requirements Chapter 2: General Provisions Chapter 3: Repeals Title VIII: Effective Date Foreign Aid Reduction Act of 1995 - Title I: Defense and Security Assistance - Chapter 1: Military and Related Assistance - Subchapter A: Foreign Military Financing Program - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1996 and 1997 for grant assistance and subsidy costs of direct loans for the procurement by friendly countries and international organizations of defense articles and services. (Sec. 102) Makes specified amounts of such funds available for subsidy costs of direct loans for: (1) Greece; (2) Turkey; (3) Czech Republic; (4) Hungary; (5) Poland; (6) Estonia; (7) Latvia; (8) Lithuania; and (9) Slovenia. (Sec. 103) Requires that loans available for defense article and service credit sales be provided at interest rates not less than the current average market yield on outstanding marketable U.S. obligations of comparable maturities. (Sec. 105) Amends the Arms Export Control Act to prohibit the President from requiring the repayment of any grant assistance provided to a foreign country or international organization. Subchapter B: Other Assistance - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to increase the amount of funds the President may use in emergency situations, or in the national interest, for the drawdown of articles and services, including military education and training, for: (1) international narcotics control, international disaster assistance, and refugee and migrant assistance; or (2) Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos for locating MIA's from the Vietnam War, and for the safety of U.S. personnel engaged in humanitarian projects. (Sec. 112) Provides that certain value limitations on new stockpiles of defense articles for allied or other foreign countries shall not apply to agreements with Israel. Sets forth dollar limits on the value of such stockpile additions for FY 1996 and 1997 for foreign countries, including the Republic of Korea and Thailand. Requires the President to notify specified congressional committees, in accordance with reprogramming notification procedures, at least 15 days before designating a country where such stockpiles may be located outside the boundaries of a U.S. military base or a base used primarily by the United States. (Sec. 113) Revises provisions regarding the transfer of excess defense articles to authorize the President to transfer such articles to countries for which its receipt was justified pursuant to the annual congressional presentation documents for military assistance programs, or for assistance programs for certain developing countries, or for which receipt of such articles was separately justified to the Congress. Allows transfer of such articles on a grant basis only if it is preferable to transfer on a sales basis. Requires the President to determine that a transfer: (1) will not have an adverse impact on the national technology and industrial base; and (2) will not reduce the opportunities of entities in that base to sell new or used equipment to the countries to which such articles are transferred. Prohibits the President from transferring significant military equipment or any articles valued at $7 million or more, until 15 days after notice of the proposed transfer has been provided to specified congressional committees. Limits the aggregate value of articles transferred to countries in any fiscal year to $350 million. Chapter 2: International Military Education and Training - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1996 and 1997 for military education and training for military and related civilian personnel of foreign countries. Includes individuals who are not members of the government for such training. Authorizes the President to provide for the attendance of foreign military and civilian defense personnel at U.S. test pilot flight schools without charge if certain conditions are met. Chapter 3: Antiterrorism Assistance - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1996 and 1997 for antiterrorism assistance to foreign countries. Prohibits such assistance from being used for the procurement of weapons and ammunition, except for certain small arms and ammunition directly related to antiterrorism training. Repeals specified reporting requirements. Chapter 4: Narcotics Control Assistance - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1996 and 1997 for international narcotics control assistance programs. Chapter 5: Peacekeeping Operations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1996 and 1997 for peacekeeping operations which are not mandated by the United Nations, are not funded by U.N. assessments or which are carried out by other multilateral organizations. Chapter 6: Other Provisions - Amends the Arms Export Control Act to revise congressional review procedures for certain transfers of defense articles and services to require the passage of a joint resolution (currently, enactment of a law) to prohibit such transfers by the President to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries, Japan, Australia, or New Zealand. Provides for waiver of such requirement in cases where the President certifies to the Congress that an emergency exists which requires that consent to such transfers become effective immediately in the national interests of the United States. Limits to 15 days (30 days for any other country) the notification requirement with respect to transfers to NATO countries, Japan, Australia, or New Zealand, and requires congressional action within such time period. (Sec. 162) Declares that Presidential consent shall not be required for the transfer by a foreign country of defense articles sold by the United States if specified requirements are met. (Sec. 164) Amends the Arms Export Control Act to repeal a price and availability reporting requirement relating to proposed sales of defense articles and services. (Sec. 166) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require the President to notify the Congress before: (1) designating a country as a major non-NATO ally for purposes of the provision of military assistance; or (2) terminating such designation. Declares that the President shall not be required to notify the Congress with respect to the designation of Australia, Egypt, Israel, Japan, Korea, and New Zealand as major non-NATO allies. (Sec. 167) Sets forth competitive pricing requirements with respect to procurement contracts for the sale of defense articles and services. (Sec. 168) Bars the use of funds for the sale of M-833 antitank shells, or any comparable antitank shells, containing a depleted uranium penetrating component to any country other than: (1)a NATO country; (2) a designated major non-NATO ally; or (3) Taiwan. Provides for waiver of such prohibition if the President believes it is in the national security interest of the United States. (Sec. 169) Authorizes the President to provide training, advice, financial support, and equipment for police, prisons, or other law enforcement forces of a foreign government, unless he or she determines that: (1) such government is not democratically elected; or (2) notwithstanding the above, such forces engage in a pattern of gross violations of internationally recognized human rights, or they do not maintain a policy against the trafficking or production of illegal drugs by members of the force. Repeals a prohibition on the use of funds for such activities. (Sec. 170) Authorizes the use of defense articles and services furnished to a foreign country for law enforcement purposes. (Sec. 171) Amends the Arms Export Control Act to require a certain presidential report and certification regarding letters of offer to sell, and applications for a license for the export of, certain major defense equipment and services to a foreign country to specify, among other things: (1) comparable kinds and amounts of similar equipment or services that are available from other countries; and (2) other countries, if any, to which the United States has already offered such equipment and services. (Sec. 172) Repeals the requirement of recoupment of certain nonrecurring cost charges with respect to letters of offer for the sale of defense articles and services. (Sec. 173) Authorizes the President to reduce the price to be paid for the sale of a defense article if such sale would: (1) facilitate the sale of a similar new defense article; (2) support the national defense industrial base; and (3) serve the national security interests of the United States. (Sec. 174) Repeals the requirement for a certain presidential report to the Congress on the acquisition of defense articles and services. Title II: Trade and Export Development - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require the Director of the Trade and Development Agency (instead of, as currently, the President) to report annually to specified congressional committees on the agency's activities. Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Trade and Development Agency through FY 1997. (Sec. 202) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should continue to grant treatment under the generalized system of preferences (GSP) for all countries of Central and Eastern Europe in transition to a free market economy, including but not limited to Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, the Baltic countries, Romania, and Bulgaria, if such countries are in compliance with applicable statutory requirements. Title III: Private Sector, Economic, and Development Assistance - Chapter 1: Private Sector Enterprise Funds - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to provide funds and support to private sector Enterprise Funds for countries eligible to receive development assistance on the same basis as such funds and support are provided to Enterprise Funds for Poland and Hungary under the Support for East European Democracy (SEED) Act of 1989. (Sec. 301) Directs the President to designate a private, nonprofit organization (to be known as the Trans-Caucasus Enterprise Fund) to provide development assistance to the Trans-Caucasus region of the former Soviet Union. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 302) Replaces the Private Sector Revolving Fund with a program providing credit and training to micro- and small enterprises. Chapter 2: Development Assistance Fund and Other Authorities - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1996 and 1997 for specified development assistance, including: (1) the Development Fund for Africa; (2) assistance for the independent states of the former Soviet Union; (3) the SEED Program; (4) housing and other credit guaranty programs; and (5) assistance to American schools and hospitals abroad. (Sec. 312) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1996 and 1997 for the Economic Support Fund. Earmarks specified amounts for: (1) Cyprus; (2) the International Fund for Ireland; and (3) the rapid development of a prototype industrial park in the Gaza Strip. (Sec. 313) Bars the use of development assistance funds for any activity that violates the laws of a foreign country concerning the circumstances under which abortion is permitted, regulated, or prohibited, or which seeks to alter the laws of a foreign country concerning the circumstances under which it is permitted, regulated, or prohibited. (Sec. 314) Increases from 25 to 30 percent a foreign country's share of costs for certain programs that receive development assistance. (Sec. 315) Bars the use of development assistance funds for U.S. private and voluntary organizations, except cooperative development organizations, which obtain less than 25 percent of annual funding from sources other than the U.S. Government. (Sec. 316) Bars the use of development assistance funds by any private and voluntary organization which: (1) fails to provide any document, file, or record necessary to the auditing requirements of the agency primarily responsible for administering such funds; or (2) is not registered with such agency. (Sec. 317) Bars the use of certain foreign assistance funds by private and voluntary organizations to pay for the purchase or lease of office equipment for use in the United States. (Sec. 318) Prohibits any U.S. officer or employee from engaging in any activity intended to circumvent a statutory prohibition or restriction in the provision of U.S. assistance. Sets forth criminal penalties for violation of such prohibition. (Sec. 319) Requires withholding from assistance to a foreign country of an amount equal to 110 percent of the total unpaid parking fines and penalties owed by the country to the District of Columbia, Virginia, and Maryland. (Sec. 320) Prohibits a waiver of sanctions against major drug producing and drug-transit countries during any year following a period of two consecutive years of such waivers. (Sec. 321) States hat significant resources shall be made available to the U.S. private sector, including small- and medium-size businesses, farm groups, entrepreneurs, and others, with indigenous private enterprises in developing foreign nations. Chapter 3: Peace Corps - Amends the Peace Corps Act to authorize appropriations for FY 1996 and 1997. Chapter 4: International Disaster Assistance Programs - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize appropriations for FY 1996 and 1997 for international disaster assistance programs. Title IV: Peace and Security in the Middle East - Earmarks specified amounts of economic support fund (ESF) assistance and foreign military financing assistance for Israel and Egypt. (Sec. 405) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should extend duty-free treatment to the products of Taba, Egypt, Aqaba, and Jordan if certain conditions are met. (Sec. 406) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should grant duty-free treatment to products from the West Bank and Gaza. (Sec. 407) Expresses the sense of the Congress with respect to the establishment of an industrial park in Gaza, including presidential appointment of a Special Coordinator to coordinate the park's rapid development. Title V: Other Regional Issues - Prohibits the extension of U.S. loans or credit to any independent state of the former Soviet Union that does not satisfy specified repayment conditions. Directs the Secretary of State to instruct the U.S. executive directors of specified international banks to propose policies opposing loans or credit to such states unless repayment is secured in accordance with this Act. (Sec. 502) Permits development or ESF assistance for FY 1996 and 1997 to be made available to Nicaragua only if the Secretary of State certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that specified conditions have been met with respect to investigation of the May 23, 1993, Santa Rosa arms cache explosion, and related issues. (Sec. 503) Prohibits development assistance to North Korea and the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization unless specified conditions are met. (Sec. 504) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) negotiate a new base rights agreement with Panama; and (2) consult with the Congress throughout such negotiations. (Sec. 505) Makes Panama eligible to purchase defense article and services under the Arms Export Control Act. (Sec. 506) Revises bilateral and multilateral assistance certification procedures with respect to illegal drug producing and drug trafficking activities in Colombia. Sets forth specified trade sanctions against major illicit drug-producing countries and major drug-transit countries whenever the President does not make a waiver certification with respect to such activities or the Congress enacts a joint resolution disapproving such certification. (Sec. 507) Requires the Secretary of State to itemize to appropriate congressional committees all U.S. Government debt owed by Israel to the United States. (Sec. 508) Directs the President to report to appropriate congressional committees on the involvement of senior Mexican Government officials and their relatives and associates in illegal drug trafficking. (Sec. 509) Bars the use of funds to provide assistance to the State Law Order Restoration Council (SLORC) to combat illicit narcotics production and trafficking in Burma (Myanmar), with specified exceptions. Prohibits intelligence sharing with SLORC. (Sec. 510) Declares that certain prohibitions on the provision of military assistance to Pakistan shall not apply to the provision of assistance for: (1) international narcotics control; (2) facilitating military-to-military contact, training, or humanitarian assistance projects; (3) peacekeeping operations; or (4) antiterrorism assistance. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the fundamental U.S. policy interests in South Asia include: (1) the resolution of underlying disputes that create conditions for nuclear proliferation; and (2) cooperation on counterterrorism, counternarcotics, international peacekeeping, and other U.S. international efforts. (Sec. 511) Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States should support the construction of an oil pipeline through Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Turkey. (Sec. 512) Directs the President to report to the appropriate congressional committees on U.S. progress in eradicating production of and trafficking in illicit drugs. (Sec. 513) Requires the Secretary of State to report to specified congressional committees on the status of disputes between Pakistan and U.S. persons with respect to cellular telecommunications, and on the progress of efforts to resolve such disputes. (Sec. 514) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1996 and 1997 to carry out bilateral and multilateral nonproliferation and disarmament activities for the independent states of the former Soviet Union, other countries, and international organizations under the Freedom for Russia and Emerging Eurasian Democracies and Open Markets Support Act of 1992. (Sec. 515) Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Russian Federation should be strongly condemned if it continues with a commercial agreement to provide Iran with nuclear technology which would assist it in the development of nuclear weapons; and (2) if such transfer occurs, the Federation would be ineligible for assistance under the Freedom Support Act. (Sec. 516) Expresses the sense of the Congress that it: (1) reaffirms that the status quo on Cyprus is unacceptable; and (2) insists that all parties to the dispute regarding Cyprus agree to seek a solution based on relevant United Nations resolutions. (Sec. 517) Directs the Secretary of State to report annually to appropriate congressional committees on the city of Moscow's activities in seizing control of foreign joint ventures and joint stock companies. (Sec. 518) Declares it is U.S. policy that the African continent is relevant to U.S. security, economic, political, and humanitarian interests, and that long-term development assistance to African nations complements U.S. foreign policy goals and national security interests. Title VI: International Organizations and Programs - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1996 and 1997 for voluntary contributions to international organizations and programs. Earmarks specified amounts for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). (Sec. 602) Earmarks for FY 1996 and 1997 specified amounts of development assistance funds for the United Nations Fund for Population Activities. Prohibits the use of such funds for activities in the People's Republic of China. (Sec. 603) Declares that development assistance funds shall not be available for the U.S. proportionate share for programs, projects, or activities for Sudan. Makes the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) eligible for such assistance. (Sec. 604) Changes from semiannually to annually the President's mandatory report to the appropriate congressional committees listing all U.S. voluntary contributions to international organizations. Requires the President to transmit, as part of the report, a justification of the manner in which such U.S. contributions benefit U.S. national security or other national interests. (Sec. 605) Withholds a specified amount of the funds allocated to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) for FY 1996 and 1997 until the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that UNDP has terminated its activities in Burma. (Sec. 606) Amends the Asian Development Bank Act to authorize the U.S. Governor of the Asian Development Bank to subscribe to an increase in the authorized capital stock of the Bank (the fourth replenishment). Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 607) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should encourage the United Nations to take action by considering Taiwan's unique situation in the international community and adopting a comprehensive solution to accommodate it in the United Nations and its related agencies. (Sec. 608) Expresses the sense of the Congress with respect to separate accession of China (subject to specified conditions) and Taiwan to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Title VII: Special Authorities and General Provisions - Chapter 1: Reporting Requirements - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require the President to report to the appropriate congressional committees on expropriation of U.S. property. Chapter 2: General Provisions - Declares it is U.S. assistance policy to recognize that: (1) no amount of foreign assistance can provide sustainable development for the people of a country which is not committed to free market principles and economic freedom; and (2) the Congress and American taxpayers have a right to know how such assistance benefits U.S. national interests, how it supports economic growth in recipient countries, and when U.S. bilateral assistance to each foreign assistance recipient will cease. Requires inclusion of specified information on the U.S. national interest and recipient country economic growth in the President's annual congressional presentation materials on U.S. bilateral assistance. (Sec. 712) Authorizes the President, for purposes of making an equitable settlement of termination claims under extraordinary contractual relief standards, to adopt as a contract or other obligation of the U.S. Government and assume any liabilities arising thereunder, any contract with a U.S. or third-country contractor to carry out any program of foreign assistance that was subsequently terminated. (Sec. 713) Prohibits funds made available to carry out the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 or the Arms Export Control Act from being provided to any foreign government engaged in intelligence activities harmful to U.S. national security. (Sec. 715) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should instruct the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations to enhance the U.N. role in the enforcement of nonproliferation treaties and global non-proliferation. Prohibits the provision of military assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 or any other Act, or the provision of military equipment or technology or services under the Arms Export Control Act, to any non-nuclear weapon state that is found by the President to be diverting unsafeguarded special nuclear material from a civilian to a military use. Provides for a waiver of such prohibitions. (Sec. 716) Prohibits the President from providing foreign assistance to a foreign country that is not implementing a treaty entered into by such country and the United States with respect to the extradition of individuals who have been charged with or who have committed felony offenses. (Sec. 717) Prohibits the use of funds under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide: (1) any financial incentive to a business to induce it to relocate outside the United States if it will reduce the number of employees in the United States; (2) assistance for developing in a foreign country any export processing zone or designated area in which the country's tax, tariff, labor, environment, and safety laws do not apply to activities in the area, unless the President certifies that such assistance is not likely to cause a loss of jobs within the United States; or (3) assistance for any project that contributes to the violation of workers' rights. Exempts assistance for microenterprises, small-scale enterprises, or small-holder agriculture in the informal sector of the foreign country from such prohibition. (Sec. 718) Makes certain cargo preference requirements under the Merchant Marine Act of 1936 inapplicable to the transportation of agricultural commodities as part of any U.S.-administered program of food assistance to foreign countries. (Sec. 719) Urges the President to reduce U.S. foreign assistance to any country that employs mercenary forces by an amount equal to the sum paid by such government to employ them. (Sec. 720) Authorizes the President to pay the expenses incurred in the transport of humanitarian assistance which has been privately donated in the United States to the independent states of the former Soviet Union, the Baltic states, and the independent states of the former Yugoslavia (excluding Serbia). Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 721) Prohibits U.S. assistance to any country that prohibits or restricts the transport or delivery of U.S. humanitarian assistance. Waives such prohibition if the President determines and notifies the Congress that such assistance to the country is in the national interest of the United States. Chapter 3: Repeals - Repeals specified foreign assistance laws. Title VIII: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date of this Act.
Bill· SS. 964 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1995
Park Renewal Fund Act - Amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act (the Act) to authorize the Secretaries of the Interior and of Agriculture to determine the conditions of, and the annual permit fee for, the Golden Eagle Passport for admission to units of the National Park System (NPS) and other specified areas. Eliminates provisions that limit the annual fee to $15 for admission permits to NPS units or into several specific units located in a particular geographic area. Redefines "single visit" as a continuous (currently, more or less continuous) stay within a designated NPS unit. Eliminates the maximum 15-day period for such visit and the admission fee of five dollars per vehicle or three dollars per person, depending upon the circumstances, for persons who choose not to purchase the Golden Eagle Passport. Continues the authority of the administering Secretary to establish such fee and to define the period of time for such visit. Repeals provisions prohibiting admission fees to NPS units which provide significant outdoor recreation opportunities in an urban environment and to which access is publicly available at multiple locations. Authorizes the Secretaries to establish procedures for discounted admission fees in lieu of issuing the Golden Age Passport for any citizen of, or person legally domiciled in, the United States who is 62 years of age or older, to be received upon proof of age. Makes such discount nontransferable. Applies it only to the individual qualifying based on his or her age and not on the method of travel used by such individual to enter the area. Limits the issuance of lifetime admission permits for NPS units to certain individuals who are medically determined to be permanently disabled (currently, blind or permanently disabled for purposes of receiving Federal benefits as a result of such blindness or disability). Allows entrance to such designated area to the permittee and one accompanying individual regardless of the method of travel. Requires the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees within six months after enactment of this Act on the entrance fees proposed to be charged at NPS units. Repeals provisions prohibiting admission fees for the following NPS units: (1) U.S.S. Arizona Memorial; (2) Independence National Historical Park; (3) District of Columbia NPS units; (4) Arlington House-Robert E. Lee National Memorial; (5) San Juan National Historic Site; and (6) Canaveral National Seashore. Strikes provisions concerning the fee for a single-visit permit applicable to those persons entering Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, and Grand Canyon National Park. Allows the charge of a recreation use fee at federally-operated campgrounds without the personal collection of such fee by a Federal employee or agent. Eliminates the 50 percent discount on such fee for Golden Age Passport permittees. Provides that comparison of recreation use fees charged by other public and private entities (currently, non-Federal public agencies) should be considered in establishing such fees. Removes the $100 penalty for violation of the Act and imposes such fine as provided by law. Authorizes the National Park Service (Service) to charge a fee for fishing in those park areas under partial (if applicable) or exclusive U.S. jurisdiction where State fishing licenses are not required. Allows the 15 percent authorized to be retained by the Secretaries for fee collection costs to be figured on the collection of the immediately previous fiscal year instead of the current one. Requires: (1) all additional fee revenue generated by the Service through enactment of this Act beginning in FY 1996 and each fiscal year thereafter, to be covered into a special fund established in the Treasury known as the National Park Renewal Fund; and (2) beginning in FY 1997 and each fiscal year thereafter, the amount of such revenue generated in the immediately preceding fiscal year to be made available to the Secretary, without further provision in appropriations Acts, for park infrastructure needs such as facility refurbishment, repair and replacement, interpretive media and exhibit repair and replacement, and infrastructure projects associated with park resource protection. Requires the Secretary to: (1) develop procedures for the use of the Fund that ensure accountability and demonstrated results consistent with this Act; and (2) report annually on the expenditures of such receipts on a unit-by-unit basis. Requires, in FY 1996 only, fees authorized to be collected pursuant to the Act to be collected only to the extent provided in advance in appropriations Acts. Allows amounts covered into the existing special account for the Service that are generated from the collection of admission fees to be used for park operations in NPS units in lieu of resource protection, research, and interpretation purposes. Prohibits the sale of annual admission permits and Golden Eagle Passports by public and private entities under arrangements with collecting agency heads. Allows the total charge (currently, 50 percent) imposed by the Service in lieu of an admission fee when it provides transportation to persons visiting all or a portion of a NPS unit to be retained by such unit for expenditures associated with its transportation system. Requires the Secretary to establish a flat fee that reflects the commercial tour use fee rate and the current admission rates for vehicles entering NPS units where an admission fee is charged. Requires the Secretary to establish reasonable fees for nonrecurring commercial or nonrecreational uses of NPS units that require special arrangements and permits to cover all cost associated with such use except that the Secretary may waive or reduce such fees in the case of any organization using an NPS area for activities which further Service goals. Allows: (1) such fees to be retained at the park unit in which the use takes place and to remain available, without further appropriation, to cover the cost of providing such services; and (2) the remaining portion of the fees that exceeds such cost to be deposited into the Fund. Prohibits an admission or recreation use fee of any kind from being charged or imposed for entrance into, or use of, any federally- owned area operated and maintained by a Federal agency and used for outdoor recreation purposes, except as provided for by the Act. (Sec. 3) Prohibits, as of noon on September 30, 2005, the use of Highway 209 within Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area by commercial vehicles when such use is not connected with the operation of the Area. Allows an exception for commercial vehicles serving businesses located within or in the vicinity of the Area. Directs the Secretary of the Interior, until such time, to collect a commercial user fee of up to $25 per trip from commercial vehicles using the Highway. (Sec. 4) Authorizes: (1) the Secretary to enter into challenge cost-share agreements with cooperators (any State or local government, public or private agency, organization, institution, corporation, individual, or other entity) for the purpose of sharing costs or services in carrying out authorized functions and responsibilities of the Secretary concerning any NPS unit or program, any affiliated area, or designated National Scenic or Historic Trail; and (2) the Secretary and certain Service employees to seek donations for NPS purposes, subject to established guidelines and specified restrictions. (Sec. 6) Redefines "park system resource" as any living or nonliving resource that is located within the boundaries of a NPS unit, except for resources owned by a non-Federal entity, for purposes of making a person who destroys, causes the loss of, or injures any park system resource liable for response costs and resulting damages.
Bill· HRH.R. 1923 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: National Defense Subtitle A: Restore Defense Spending Subtitle B: Rescission of Funding for Programs Not Requested by the Department of Defense Subtitle C: Limitations on Funding for Certain Programs for Fiscal Year 1996 Subtitle D: Department of Defense Administrative Reforms Subtitle E: Department of Defense Program Reforms Title II: International Affairs Subtitle A: Reduce Multilateral Development Bank Credit Assistance Subtitle B: Reduce Foreign Aid Direct Assistance Subtitle C: Reduce Humanitarian Assistance Programs Subtitle D: Department Reforms Subtitle E: State Department Reforms Title III: Science, Space, and Technology Subtitle A: Administrative and Research Savings Subtitle B: Specific Program Reforms Title IV: Energy Subtitle A: Abolishment of Department of Energy Subtitle B: Reform Federal Petroleum Reserve Programs Subtitle C: Reform Fossil Fuel and Mineral Research Development Programs Subtitle D: Reform Energy Conservation Programs Title V: Environment Subtitle A: Public Land Use and Purchase Reforms Subtitle B: Environmental Conservation, Cleanup, and Research Reforms Subtitle C: Restructuring of Department of the Interior Subtitle D: Administrative Reform Subtitle E: National Marine Program Reforms Subtitle F: Corps of Engineers Reform Title VI: Agriculture Subtitle A: Agriculture Research and Extension Subtitle B: Agricultural Trade Subtitle C: Department of Agriculture Overhead Reduction Subtitle D: Loan Reform Subtitle F: Crop Commodity Reform Title VII: Commerce and Housing Credit Subtitle A: Small Business Administration Reform Subtitle B: Housing Credit Reform Subtitle C: Abolition of Department of Commerce and Disposition of Particular Programs, Functions, and Agencies Subtitle D: Banking and Insurance Reforms Subtitle E: Specific Commerce and Housing Program Reforms Title VIII: Transportation Subtitle A: Air Transportation Program Reform Subtitle B: Highway Transportation Program Reform Subtitle C: Rail Transportation Program Reform Subtitle D: Miscellaneous Transportation Program Reform Subtitle E: Administrative Reform Title IX: Community and Regional Development Subtitle A: Housing Program Reforms Subtitle B: Community and Regional Development Program Reforms Subtitle C: Administrative Reforms Title X: Education and Training Subtitle A: Job Training Reform Subtitle B: Department Reform Subtitle C: Elementary and Secondary Education Reforms Subtitle D: Community Program Reforms Subtitle E: Employment Program Reform Title XI: Health Subtitle A: Administrative Reform Subtitle B: University Research Regarding Health and Other Matters Subtitle C: Medicaid Reforms Subtitle D: Reforms in Health Care Block Grants Subtitle E: Health Care Program Reforms Subtitle F: Federal Employee Health Care Reform Title XII: Medicare Subtitle A: Copayment Reform Subtitle B: Part B Premium Subtitle C: Part A Deductible Subtitle D: Medicare Payments to Hospitals Subtitle E: Selected Presidential Medicare Reforms Title XIII: Income Security Subtitle A: Administrative Reform Subtitle B: Housing Program Reforms Subtitle C: Supplemental Security Income Reforms Subtitle D: Civil Service Reforms Subtitle E: Assistance Program Reforms Title XIV: Personal Responsibility and Family Preservation Subtitle A: Block Grants for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Subtitle B: Child Protection Block Grant Program Subtitle C: Block Grants for Child Care and for Nutrition Assistance Subtitle D: Restricting Welfare and Public Benefits for Aliens Subtitle E: Food Stamp Reform and Commodity Distribution Subtitle F: Supplemental Security Income Subtitle G: Child Support Title XV: Veterans' Benefits and Services Subtitle A: Administrative Reforms Subtitle B: Extension of Certain Veterans Programs Subtitle C: Home Loan Guarantee Program Reforms Subtitle D: Medical Program Reforms Subtitle E: Other Veterans Programs Reforms Title XVI: Administration of Justice Subtitle A: Administration of Appropriations Subtitle B: Prison Reforms Subtitle C: Justice Assistance Program Reforms Subtitle D: Federal Bureau of Investigation Reforms Subtitle E: Other Justice Program Reforms Title XVII: General Government Subtitle A: Administrative Reforms Subtitle B: Legislative Branch Reductions Subtitle C: Executive Branch Reductions Subtitle D: Specific Program Reforms Restructuring a Limited Government Act - Title I: National Defense - Subtitle A: Restore Defense Spending - States that it is Congress' intent that military readiness and other specified defense-related programs be increased over proposed levels through a specified combination of defense-related increases and reductions, including increases already budgeted by the President. Subtitle B: Rescission of Funding for Programs Not Requested by the Department of Defense - Rescinds unobligated funds for various specified defense-related programs not requested by the Department of Defense (DOD), including the general purpose bomb program, the C-12F aircraft program, and the P-3 upgrade program. Subtitle C: Limitations on Funding for Certain Programs for Fiscal Year 1996 - Sets limitations on funding for specified DOD environmental and cooperative threat reduction programs with states of the former Soviet Union for FY 1996. Subtitle D: Department of Defense Administrative Reforms - Amends Federal law with respect to military severance and aviation career incentive pay. (Sec. 1313) Directs the Secretary of Defense to cancel DOD's learning resource center program for Department personnel. Subtitle E: Department of Defense Program Reforms - Directs the President to reorganize the Intelligence Community to reduce redundancy and overlapping jurisdiction and centralize responsibility and authority for intelligence activities. Includes specified personnel reductions as part of such reorganization over a five year period. (Sec. 1412) Limits: (1) Navy Seawolf (SSN-21) attack submarine procurements to one such vessel; and (2) funds already appropriated for additional vessel procurements to use only in terminating vessel contracts. (Sec. 1413) Directs the President to dispose of certain obsolete and excess materials in the National Defense Stockpile over a ten-year period, in specified quantities, with certain exceptions and a special rule for silver. Requires all proceeds from the sale of materials required to be disposed of to be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury to reduce the budget deficit. Terminates various specified authorities currently in effect relating to stockpile material disposal. Title II: International Affairs - Subtitle A: Reduce Multilateral Development Bank Credit Assistance - Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to limit the authorization of FY 1996 through 2000 appropriations in order to reduce credit assistance by the U.S. Export-Import Bank. (Sec. 2002) Terminates capital contributions to specified multilateral development institutions. (Sec. 2003) Directs the President at the beginning of each fiscal year to deobligate, and return to the Treasury, according to certain guidelines, any foreign economic assistance funds that, as of the end of the preceding fiscal year, have been obligated for a period of more than three years but have not been expended. (Sec. 2004) Provides for various specified reductions over a five year period in U.S. contributions to the International Development Association, and in Economic Support Fund and bilateral development assistance. (Sec. 2007) Limits U.S. contributions to the United Nations (UN) and its affiliated agencies after 1996 according to a specified formula. Subtitle B: Reduce Foreign Aid Direct Assistance - Outlines various specified reductions in, and restrictions on, foreign assistance, including assistance to Russia. Conditions such assistance, among other things, upon presidential certifications to the Congress of: (1) limited Russian intelligence activities in the United States; and (2) Russian withholding of military assistance to combatants in the Yugoslav conflict and of weapons to Iran, Iraq, Syria, and any other terrorist country. Requires certain annual reports by the President and Comptroller General to the Congress on foreign assistance to Russia. Subtitle C: Reduce Humanitarian Assistance Programs - Outlines various specified reductions in cultural exchange and humanitarian assistance programs, including the Peace Corps program. (Sec. 2203) Sets assistance for Israel and Egypt at specified minimum levels from amounts already made available under current law for foreign economic support and military financing. (Sec. 2204) Eliminates the congressional sales program and the food for development program under the Agricultural Trade Development Assistance Act of 1954. (Sec. 2205) Abolishes the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission and transfers its functions to the Secretary of State. Subtitle D: Department Reforms - Provides for a reduction in overhead expenses of the Export-Import Bank. (Sec. 2302) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the repayment of amounts appropriated to the exchange stabilization fund, along with the net earnings of that fund. Subtitle D: State Department Reforms - Provides for comprehensive reorganization of the Department of State and Foreign Service, with changes eliminating the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, United States Information Agency, Agency for International Development (AID), International Development Cooperation Agency, and other specified Department components, as well as certain previously created Assistant Secretary positions. Revises various specified program authorities, consolidating administrative services, and transferring them to the Department under the Secretary of State. Sets funding levels for radio broadcasts to Cuba. Limits the term of the Inspector General, redesignated as the Inspector General for Foreign Affairs. Prescribes end strength personnel levels for the Department and Foreign Service. Requires a specified report to the Congress by the President and other officials on the unification of the Foreign Service with other foreign service components in the Department of Commerce and the Department of Agriculture. Title III: Science, Space, and Technology - Subtitle A: Administrative and Research Savings - Authorizes appropriations for the Department of Energy's nuclear energy research and development (R&D) activities. (Sec. 3002) Imposes a fee for National Science Foundation grant applications. (Sec. 3003) Limits total appropriations for activities under the high performance computing program. Subtitle B: Specific Program Reforms - Authorizes appropriations for the National Science Foundation. (Sec. 3012) Prohibits the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) from entering into any contract in furtherance of a space station program until FY 2000. (Sec. 3013) Requires the Secretary of Defense and the Administrator of NASA to cancel the National Aerospace Plane program. Title IV: Energy - Subtitle A: Abolishment of Department of Energy - Department of Energy Abolishment Act - Abolishes the Department of Energy (DOE) as such, but redesignates it as the Energy Programs Resolution Agency, an independent executive agency headed by an Administrator appointed by the President to wind-up the affairs of the former Department before its own termination three years after enactment of this Act. (Sec. 4017) Requires a Comptroller General report to the Congress recommending the most efficient means for achieving the complete abolishment of the former Department and the termination or transfer of its functions. (Sec. 4021) Establishes an independent Energy Laboratory Facilities Commission to make recommendations for reducing the number of energy laboratories and terminating laboratory programs through closure, privatization, and reconfiguration in order to eliminate duplication, reduce overhead, and achieve cost savings while preserving their role in national defense. Authorizes appropriations. Details specific procedures for making and implementing Commission recommendations, allowing for public comment in the process, unless such recommendations are disapproved by the Congress. Establishes in the Treasury the Energy Laboratory Facility Closure Account for use in conjunction with recommendations implemented above. Requires certain congressional reports on such implementations. (Sec. 4031) Federal Power Asset Privatization Act of 1995 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to sell, at the highest possible price and with appropriate private sector advice, all Federal electric power generation and transmission facilities supervised by, or coordinated with, the Federal Power Marketing Administrations (FPMA) in accordance with a specified graduated deadline. Restricts such sales to domestic entities or U.S. citizens. Requires the Secretary to terminate FPMA operations upon sales completion. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the purchaser of any such facilities should offer to employ former FPMA personnel where possible. Mandates deposit of sales proceeds in the Treasury. Limits rate increases by facility purchasers to a maximum of ten percent above the baseline price annually. Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to issue to the purchaser of a hydroelectric generation facility a ten-year original license under the Federal Power Act to insure that the project will continue operations under the same conditions as were applicable before the sale. Grants FERC Federal Power Act jurisdiction over any such facility sold. Amends the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act of 1993 to repeal the proscription on use of appropriated funds for studies regarding a changeover from an "at cost" to a "market rate" or other noncost-based methodology for pricing hydroelectric power. (Sec. 4041) Transfers to the Secretary of the Interior all functions of DOE with respect to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, requiring disposal of certain Louisiana reserves and appointment of an advisory board to monitor the disposal process and recommend whether the entire reserve should be maintained or disposed of. Outlines requirements for the transfer of the naval petroleum reserves to the Department of the Interior for sale, subject to certain conditions, including a sales price not less than fair market value. Establishes in DOD the Defense Nuclear Programs Agency, headed by an Under Secretary for Defense Nuclear Programs, to carry out various specified nuclear weapons-related functions of certain defense agencies as well as transferred DOE national security functions and certain nondefense-related functions as well at various specified Federal laboratories. Gives the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Secretaries of Defense and of the Navy the authority to wind-up any outstanding affairs associated with the respective functions transferred above. (Sec. 4059) Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to add a new title IV governing environmental restoration activities at defense nuclear facilities. (Sec. 4061) Provides for termination of specified miscellaneous DOE energy supply R&D programs and all clean coal technology, fossil energy, and energy conservation R&D activities. Transfers: (1) all functions of the Energy Information Administration to the Department of the Treasury; and (2) all international regulatory functions of the Energy Regulatory Administration (ERA) to the Secretary of Agriculture, and all ERA functions with respect to pending litigation to the Attorney General. (Sec. 4071) Terminates waste site work under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982. (Sec. 4072) Abolishes the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management and transfers its functions with respect to a radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel repository to the U.S. Geological Survey. (Sec. 4073) Directs the Corps of Engineers to design, construct, and operate a facility with sufficient capacity for interim storage of high-level nuclear waste from civilian power plants at a site chosen by the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board under the jurisdiction of DOE, until the Corps is able to transfer such waste and spent fuel. Requires the facility to be licensed in accordance with applicable regulations. Exempts Corps actions from judicial review (Sec. 41101) Mandates sale of the naval petroleum reserves at fair market value, with sales proceeds going toward Federal deficit reduction and Department environmental costs associated with the petroleum interests sold. (Sec. 4102) Prohibits the Secretary of Energy from obligating any funds for the acquisition of petroleum products for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Subtitle C: Reform Fossil Fuel and Mineral Research Development Programs - Provides for the privatization of the U.S. Enrichment Corporation, including establishment by the Corporation of a private corporation to which some or all of its assets and liabilities may be transferred. (Sec. 4202) Authorizes diminishing appropriations from FY 1996 through 2000 for fossil fuel, energy conservation, magnetic fusion, solar and renewable energy, and nuclear energy R&D. (Sec. 4203) Prohibits obligation of funds for the Clean Coal Technology program (except to a specified extent) as well as the atomic vapor laser isotope separation program. Subtitle D: Reform Energy Conservation Programs - Repeals weatherization, State energy conservation, and institutional conservation programs under the Energy Conservation and Production Act. Title V: Environment - Subtitle A: Public Land Use and Purchase Reforms - Places a five-year moratorium on certain land acquisitions by Federal agencies with respect to lands to be administered by the Forest Service and other Federal environmental agencies with certain exceptions pertaining to national security interests. Sets restrictions on land exchanges during such period. (Sec. 5002) Amends the National Forest Management Act of 1976 to prohibit certain below-cost timber sale programs in units of the National Forest System. (Sec. 5003) Amends various specified Federal laws to set permanent limitations on amounts authorized to be appropriated each fiscal year for the National Forest System and related agriculture conservation and forestry programs. (Sec. 5004) Provides that in accordance with the discretionary authority provided under the Raker Act, certain annual amounts paid to the United States shall be increased to the amount determined by the Secretary of the Interior to be equal to the fair market value of the electric power generated within a described area. (Sec. 5005) Amends the Alaska National Interest Conservation Act to repeal the prohibition against mineral leasing of lands within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Requires deposit of leasing revenues in the Treasury. (Sec. 5006) Requires the charging of admission and other specified user fees at National Park System units for crediting to various special funds for conservation- and park-related uses. Allows donations of money, property, and services for national park use. Subtitle B: Environmental Conservation, Cleanup, and Research Reforms - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to direct the President to give a preference to certain interim measures in Superfund response actions, and report to the Congress on their use. (Sec. 5101) Amends the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 and the Internal Revenue Code to authorize appropriations from the Superfund. (Sec. 5102) Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to eliminate the conservation reserve program. (Sec. 5103) Eliminates Federal funding for State water pollution control revolving funds under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as well as for certain watershed and flood prevention operations. (Sec. 5105) Sets obligation limitations for certain flood control (particularly for the Mississippi River and tributaries) and coastal emergency operations by the Corps of Engineers. Subtitle C: Restructuring of Department of the Interior - Provides for a restructuring of the Department of the Interior, including changes: (1) establishing the Bureau of Land Management Sale and Acquisition (BLMSA) Fund; (2) prohibiting acquisition of lands for the Bureau of Land Management, except by exchange, donation, or with amounts from the BLMSA Fund; (3) abolishing the Bureau of Mines and all of its functions, positions, and offices; (4) mandating cessation of production, refining, and marketing of refined helium by the Department, and the sale of crude helium from helium reserves owned by the United States; (5) transferring to the National Science Foundation and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of all basic research and of all stream monitoring functions, respectively, of the U.S. Geological Survey, abolishing the Survey and all its other functions; (6) requiring transfer to a Department officer of the functions of certain Outer Continental Shelf Regional Offices of the Minerals Management Service, and termination of such regional offices; (7) setting reductions in appropriations for the Bureau of Reclamation; (8) requiring consolidation of Bureau of Indian Affairs area service offices; and (9) abolishing the Office of Territorial and International Affairs and the National Biological Survey. Outlines hardrock mining royalty requirements pertaining to payments, recordkeeping, and other specified matters. Subtitle D: Administrative Reform - Provides for a reduction in EPA overhead expenses. Subtitle E: National Marine Program Reforms - Terminates National Coastal Zone Management Grants and National Sea Grant College Program Grants. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to dispose of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) fleet. Rescinds specified FY 1995 funds for NOAA procurement, modernization, and construction. Subtitle F: Corps of Engineers Reform - Directs the Secretary of the Army to reorganize the Corps of Engineers. Imposes obligational limitations for various specified Corps activities, including general investigations. Title VI: Agriculture - Subtitle A: Agriculture Research and Extension - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) consolidate specified agricultural research agencies, with associated personnel reductions; (2) terminate certain cooperative agricultural extension work; and (3) impose specified agricultural- and extension-related program caps. Repeals rural technology grant authority. Subtitle B: Agricultural Trade - Makes various specified changes concerning agricultural trade. Mandates phase-out of the Foreign Agricultural Service's co-operator market development program. Eliminates export enhancement and market promotion programs. Reduces the loan guarantee program under the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978. Subtitle C: Department of Agriculture Overhead Reduction - Provides for a Department overhead reduction. Subtitle D: Loan Reform - Terminates the grant program under the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 to assist State mediation programs. Subtitle F: Crop Commodity Reform - Eliminates various specified price support programs for agricultural commodities except for milk, emergency livestock feed assistance, and other specified program components and related marketing quotas. (Sec. 6402) Terminates Federal price supports for honey. Title VII: Commerce and Housing Credit - Subtitle A: Small Business Administration Reform - Eliminates the Small Business Administration (SBA), transferring to the OMB Director and other specified officials its respective functions, powers, and duties. Establishes in its place an Office of Small Business Advocacy, in the Executive Office of the President, to carry out functions formerly vested in the SBA Chief Counsel of Advocacy. Provides for winding-up the affairs of SBA, including the transfer of its previously owned financial obligations to the Secretary of the Treasury. (Sec. 7010) Repeals the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 while leaving in effect certain Small Business Act provisions relating to the definition of "small business concern", among other specified provisions that include those on penalties for prohibited acts. Subtitle B: Housing Credit Reform - Makes specified changes with regard to housing credit under the National Housing Act and the Housing Act of 1949, including increased fees for Farmers Home Administration (FMHA) single family housing loan guarantees, and delegation of single family mortgage insuring authority to mortgagees and secondary market entities. Subtitle C: Abolition of Department of Commerce and Disposition of Particular Programs, Functions, and Agencies - Redesignates the Department of Commerce as an independent but temporary Commerce Programs Resolution Agency for winding-up outstanding Department affairs not included in the various specified former Department entities and functions either transferred to other specified departments, agencies, and entities of the Federal Government, or terminated in accordance with specified guidelines. Requires a report by the Comptroller General to the Congress recommending the most efficient means of achieving the complete abolishment of the former Department. (Sec. 7232) Transfers specified export control functions to the Secretary of State. Provides for the transfer to certain departments and agencies of: (1) the Secretary of Commerce's national security, international trade, and spectrum management functions; (2) the Patent and Trademark Office; (3) the Bureau of the Census; and (4) the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Terminates NOAA, the Minority Business Development Administration, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the Advanced Technology Program, and the Manufacturing Extension Programs. (Sec. 7244) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the head of each agency that performs a function vested in it by this title should, wherever feasible, explore and implement user fees for the provision of services in the performance of that function in order to offset operating costs. (Sec. 7260) Limits annual expenditures for continued former Department functions. Subtitle D: Banking and Insurance Reforms - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the Federal Reserve Act with respect to Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and Federal Reserve Board bank examination fees. (Sec. 7311) Establishes an independent Federal Banking Agency, governed by a board of directors, to receive the current regulatory authority of the Federal Reserve System Board of Governors and other specified banking agencies, including the FDIC, the Office of Comptroller of the Currency, and the Office of Thrift Supervision, which are abolished. (Sec. 7325) Amends the National Housing Act with respect to mortgage refinancing. (Sec. 7326) Prescribes a penalty for early redemption of savings bonds. (Sec. 7328) Terminates issuance of one dollar notes, providing instead for one dollar coins. Subtitle E: Specific Commerce and Housing Program Reforms - Limits FY 1996 obligations for the Minority Business Development Agency. Terminates the U.S. Travel and Tourism Administration. Limits funds for carrying out the Export Administration Act of 1979. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to repeal the public telecommunications facilities and telecommunications demonstration grant programs. (Sec. 7405) Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to abolish the advanced technology program. (Sec. 7406) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to collect each fiscal year fees, calculated according to specified formulae, from each Government-sponsored enterprise, including the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), the Student Loan Marketing Association (Sallie Mae), and the College Construction Loan Insurance Association (Connie Lee). Amends the National Housing Act to increase from six basis points to ten basis points during FY 1997, and to 15 basis points for succeeding fiscal years, the guaranty fee the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae) must charge. (Sec. 7407) Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to extend the spectrum auction authority of the Federal Communications Commission. (Sec. 7408) Limits amounts made available for salaries and expenses for the Bureau of the Census and the Copyright Office of the Library of Congress. Title VIII: Transportation - Subtitle A: Air Transportation Program Reform - Air Traffic Control Service Privatization and Improvement Act of 1995 - Establishes a non-profit Airways Corporation to operate the civil air traffic control system without Federal funding after its transfer by the Secretary of Transportation in accordance with specified guidelines. Provides for a reduction in tax on transportation of persons by air. (Sec. 8002) Makes various specified changes with regard to air transportation, imposing obligation limits for airport improvement program and Federal Aviation Administration operations, as well as termination of the essential air service program and funding for the airway science, collegiate training initiative, and air carrier maintenance technician training facility grant programs. (Sec. 8006) Mandates fees for use of slots at high density airports in an amount sufficient to collect $300 million per fiscal year. Subtitle B: Highway Transportation Program Reform - Terminates the Interstate Commerce Commission, transferring its functions to the Secretary of Transportation. (Sec. 8102) Increases customs tonnage fees. (Sec. 8103) Directs the Secretary to establish fees for operation of foreign repair stations. (Sec. 8104) Amends the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 to eliminate funding for highway demonstration projects. Subtitle C: Rail Transportation Program Reform - Amends Federal law to set authorization levels for Amtrak for capital expenditures and other expenses through FY 2000. (Sec. 8202) Eliminates funding for magnetic levitation (Maglev) prototype development under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991. (Sec. 8204) Makes various specified changes with regard to local rail freight assistance and State boating safety grants. Subtitle D: Miscellaneous Transportation Program Reform - Amends Federal law to reduce the Federal Government's share of funding for mass transit and makes other miscellaneous modifications in transportation provisions, including those eliminating operating assistance. Subtitle E: Administrative Reform - Provides for a reduction in overhead expenses of the Department of Transportation. Title IX: Community and Regional Development - Subtitle A: Housing Program Reforms - Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to prohibit new rural rental housing program loans. Subtitle B: Community and Regional Development Program Reforms - Eliminates funding for environmental research programs of the Tennessee Valley Authority. (Sec. 9102) Eliminates the community development block grant (CDBG) program under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. (Sec. 9103) Terminates the Economic Development Administration. Repeals the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 and the Local Public Works Capital Development and Investment Act of 1976, continuing the Economic Development Revolving Fund established under the first named Act to finish up certain business under it. (Sec. 9104) Terminates the Appalachian Regional Commission and repeals the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965. (Sec. 9105) Repeals the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, and various rural development loan and grant programs under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, the Food Security Act of 1985, and other specified Federal agricultural law. Provides for sale of outstanding rural development loans. Subtitle C: Administrative Reforms - Sets specified limits on amounts made available for Indian program operations and Bureau of Indian Affairs construction. Title X: Education and Training - Subtitle A: Job Training Reform - Employment Enhancement Reform Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to provide block grants to States for employment assistance to eligible residents in accordance with specified guidelines to help prepare individuals for employment by increasing their occupational and educational skills, resulting in improved long-term employability, increased employment and earnings, and reduced welfare dependency. Outlines provisions for grants to Indian tribes and migrant and seasonal farmworker organizations under the program. Provides for a reduction or termination of payments to participating States unsuccessful in making employment placements under the program. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 10031) Provides for consolidation and repeal of various specified Federal employment assistance programs under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. (Sec. 10041) Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to repeal certain higher education programs for students from migrant and seasonal farmworker families. (Sec. 10042) Amends Federal law to eliminate various specified homeless and disabled veterans programs. (Sec. 10043) Amends the Domestic Volunteer Service Act to eliminate the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs, as well as the Older American Community Service Employment Program under the Older Americans Act of 1965. (Sec. 10044) Repeals the Job Training Partnership Act, except certain provisions relating to the Job Corps, which is reauthorized at specified levels. (Sec. 10045) Discontinues certain vocational and other education facilities and operations programs under the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965. (Sec. 10046) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the targeted jobs credit. (Sec. 10047) Repeals the Service Members Occupational Conversion and Training Act of 1992, the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act, the National Literacy Act of 1991, the Indian Employment, Training and Related Services Demonstration Act of 1992, the Wagner-Peyser Act, and portions of the Social Security Act (SSA) relating to Indian tribes and of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 authorizing the Literacy Corps. (Sec. 10054) Amends other specified Federal law to repeal various other specified programs. Subtitle B: Department Reform - Back to Basics Education Reform Act - Abolishes the Department of Education and redefines the Federal role in education. Establishes, in its place, (and sunsets) an Office of Economic Opportunities in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to which current Department of Education functions are transferred. (Sec. 10115) Authorizes the HHS Secretary, as is necessary or appropriate, to: (1) allocate or reallocate any function of the Office among its officers; and (2) consolidate, alter, or discontinue in the Office any organizational entities that were entities of the Department of Education. Prohibits transfer of any function or personnel of the Office to any agency outside of the Office. (Sec. 10116) Directs the President to submit to the Congress a plan for winding-up the affairs of the Department of Education in accordance with this Act. (Sec. 10117) Directs the Comptroller General to submit to the Congress a report with recommendations for the most efficient means of achieving, in accordance with this Act: (1) the complete abolition of the Department; and (2) the termination, transfer, or other continuation of Department functions. (Sec. 10120) Limits Federal expenditures in each fiscal year for the administration of a function transferred by this Act to not more than 70 percent of the total amount expended for the administration of that function during fiscal year 1995. (Sec. 10131) Authorizes the Director of the Office to provide an elementary and secondary education block grant to the Governor of each State that complies with specified requirements. (Sec. 10132) Authorizes such block grant program, and sets forth provisions for State eligibility, general State requirements, amount of State allotment, local fiscal accountability, and participation of children enrolled in private schools. (Sec. 10139) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 10141) Repeals: (1) titles I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, X, XI, XII, XIII, XIV, and parts B and C of title IX of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA); (2) the Goals 200: Educate America Act; (3) the School-to-Work Opportunities Act; (4) specified provisions of the General Education Provisions Act; and (5) the National Education Statistics Act of 1994. Amends ESEA provisions relating to impact aid. Requires that impact aid programs provided under title VIII of ESEA be administered by DOD through the Assistant Secretary for Force Management Policy. Provides that Indian education programs under part A of title IX of ESEA shall be administered by the Department of the Interior through the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs. (Sec. 10142) Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to transfer authority from the Department and Secretary of Education to the Department and HHS Secretary. (Sec. 10143) Amends IDEA definitions of excess costs and of native language. (Sec. 10144) Transfers IDEA administering authority to the Office. (Sec. 10145) Revises IDEA provisions on outreach services for certain institutions of higher education. (Sec. 10151) Repeals the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), with exceptions for its short title and provisions relating to Pell Grants, the Federal Family Education Loan Program, Perkins Loans, needs analysis, certain general provisions, definitions, and the program integrity triad. Provides that such repeal of HEA provisions shall not affect Federal authority to collect loans. Discontinues Federal contributions for FY 1997 or any succeeding year to student loan funds established under Perkins Loans provisions of HEA. Limits Federal funds for Howard University under specified Federal law and the Howard University Endowment Act to: (1) specified maximum amounts and uses in fiscal years through FY 2000; and (2) nothing after FY 2000. (Sec. 10152) Amends the Congressional Budget Act to revise the Federal Credit Reform Act with respect to defining the cost of a direct loan. (Sec. 10153) Amends HEA to provide for the sale of Federal Direct Student Loan (FDSL) loan portfolios. (Sec. 10154) Makes a statement of policy that the Federal student loan programs should be reviewed to evaluate whether reforms need to be made based on the principles of risk sharing, market-based orientation, privatization, and deregulation. (Sec. 10155) Eliminates in-school interest subsidies under HEA guaranteed loan programs. (Sec. 10161) Authorizes block grants to States to assist institutions of higher education to improve access to higher education and the quality of educational programs. (Sec. 10162) Sets forth such block grant program provisions for distribution of funds, State assurances, use of funds, and public disclosure. (Sec. 10167) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 10173) Directs the HHS Secretary to provide for a consolidated application for elementary and secondary education block grants and higher education block grants. Requires that consolidated applications also be permitted at the local level. (Sec. 10174) Limits the amount that is authorized to be appropriated for specified programs to not more than the amount appropriated for such programs for FY 1995. Requires that such programs be authorized through FY 2000. (Sec. 10175) Provides that nothing in this title shall be construed to affect the applicability of civil rights laws relating to any program established, transferred, or consolidated under this Act. Sets forth education-related civil rights enforcement and reporting duties of the HHS Secretary, the Director of the Office of Civil Rights of HHS, and the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice. (Sec. 10181) Sets forth requirements relating to certain references, exercise of authorities, savings provisions, transfer of assets, delegation and assignment, authority of OMB with respect to functions transferred, and proposed changes in law. (Sec. 10191) Sets forth statements of policy regarding: (1) Federal education funding (review and evaluation as to the feasibility of further enhancing the ability of States and local communities to fund education by reducing the Federal tax burden and commensurately eliminating Federal Government involvement in providing grants for education programs); (2) job training programs (review and transfer all those under jurisdiction of the Department of Education to the Department of Labor and consolidate them into one or more block grants); and (3) Indian education (review programs transferred to the Department of the Interior to ensure that they benefit Native American children who live on reservations). Subtitle C: Elementary and Secondary Education Reforms - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to eliminate impact aid and the Eisenhower Regional Mathematics and Science Education Consortia program. (Sec. 10203) Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to limit the authorization of appropriations for individuals with disabilities to the same amount for the period between FY 1996 and 2000. (Sec. 10204) Sets a limit on the amount of funds which may be made available annually to carry out the Eisenhower Professional Development State Grant program under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Outlines similar annual limitations with regard to other specified programs under such Act, such as the education infrastructure and magnet school assistance programs, as well as the Education Department's Christa McAuliffe Scholarship program. (Sec. 10212) Continues annual funding limitations under such Act for dropout demonstrations and other specified programs and activities, as well as with certain described programs and services under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act and Civil Rights Act, respectively, while totally eliminating other specified programs under such Acts, including those involving immigrant education and education for Native Hawaiians. (Sec. 10224) Abolishes programs under the Improving America's Schools Act of 1994 relating to public library construction and national assessment of educational progress. Subtitle D: Community Program Reforms - Repeals the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965, the National and Community Service Act of 1990, the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, and related provisions. (Sec. 10303) Repeals the Museum Services Act. (Sec. 10304) Terminates funding for the Kennedy Center. (Sec. 10305) Repeals the Older Americans Community Service Employment Act. (Sec. 10306) Amends SSA title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) to consolidate services under various specified Federal Acts relating to community services, child care, and dependent care within the block grant program under SSA. (Sec. 10307) Makes numerous amendments to the Older Americans Act of 1965, detailing various specified changes reauthorizing and extending various programs, activities, and services under it at lower levels of funding. (Sec. 10308) Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to terminate funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Subtitle E: Employment Program Reform - Terminates general trade adjustment assistance extension under the Trade Act of 1974. (Sec. 10402) Amends SSA title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) to preempt State laws reducing periodic benefits by reason of entitlement to disability insurance benefits, thus extending to all States the rule providing for reduction of social security disability insurance benefits upon receipt of worker's compensation benefits. (Sec. 10403) Repeals the Service Contract Act of 1965. (Sec. 10404) Specifies a reduction in overhead expenses of the Department of Labor. Title XI: Health - Subtitle A: Administrative Reform - Specifies a reduction in overhead expenses of HHS. Subtitle B: University Research Regarding Health and Other Matters - Provides for a reduction in rates for the indirect costs of federally-supported university research. (Sec. 11102) Amends the Public Health Service Act to specify a reduction in budget of the National Institutes of Health and provide for a reduction in health professions budget, as well as authorize appropriations for programs for minority and economically disadvantaged students. (Sec. 11104) Provides for closure of the uniformed services University of the Health Sciences. Subtitle C: Medicaid Reforms - Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to provide for: (1) a reduction in Federal payments for disproportionate share hospitals; (2) imposition of State limits on approved nursing facility beds; and (3) a reduction to 50 percent in the matching rate for administrative costs under Medicaid. Subtitle D: Reforms in Health Care Block Grants - Amends title XIX (Block Grants) of the Public Health Service Act to provide for a consolidation of specified health-related block grants. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 11302) Specifies a reduction in budget for immunization programs. Prohibits warehousing vaccines. Subtitle E: Health Care Program Reforms - Specifies reductions in agency and program budgets under the Public Health Service Act. (Sec. 11403) Abolishes the Office of the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service. Subtitle F: Federal Employee Health Care Reform - Amends Federal civil service law to change the Government contribution to the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program from a percentage of the average subscription charge for a particular program to a uniform dollar amount (adjusted annually according to a specified price index) for all such programs. Title XII: Medicare - Subtitle A: Copayment Reform - Amends SSA title XVIII (Medicare) to impose a 20 percent copayment for home health services and clinical laboratory services under Medicare parts A (Hospital Insurance) and B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). Subtitle B: Part B Premium - Provides for an increase in the Medicare part B premium for certain high-income individuals, and associated beneficiary reporting requirements. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury, upon request by the Administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration, to make certain tax return-related disclosures to the Administrator for use in determining whether a beneficiary is subject to such a premium increase. (Sec. 12103) Sets the monthly part B premium at 50 percent of the monthly actuarial rate for enrollees age 65 and over for the succeeding calendar year. Subtitle C: Part A Deductible - Provides for an increase in the Medicare Hospital Insurance deductible for certain high-income individuals. Subtitle D: Medicare Payments to Hospitals - Makes various specified changes with regard to Medicare payments to hospitals, including elimination of payments to hospitals for enrollees' bad debts and reduction in payments for indirect costs of medical education. Subtitle E: Selected Presidential Medicare Reforms - Requires the HHS Secretary to use a competitive process for contracting with centers of excellence for cataract surgery, coronary artery by-pass surgery, and other appropriate services. Sets payment for services subject to such contracts on the basis of specified negotiated or all- inclusive rates. Provides payment rebates of a portion of the resulting savings for individuals receiving services under such a demonstration project. (Sec. 12402) Provides for application of a competitive acquisition process for Medicare part B items and services as well as a reduction in payment amounts to the area involved if such acquisition fails to achieve a specified minimum reduction in payments. Provides for a similar application with respect to clinical diagnostic laboratory tests. (Sec. 12404) Makes various specified changes with regard to Medicare as secondary payer. (Sec. 12405) Provides under Medicare part B for limitations on payment for physicians' services furnished by high-cost hospital medical staffs. (Sec. 12406) Delineates various specified update reductions and expenditure goals with regard to inpatient hospital services and physician services, respectively. (Sec. 12408) Reduces from 112 percent to 100 percent (adjusted to preserve certain savings) the payment for the routine service costs of skilled nursing facilities. (Sec. 12409) Provides for a reduction in routine cost limits for home health services and elimination of formula-driven overpayments for certain outpatient hospital services. Title XIII: Income Security - Subtitle A: Administrative Reform - Repeals the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to eliminate the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Amends the National Housing Act to terminate the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae). Makes various other specified administrative changes with regard to housing programs and the transfer of Department functions, including providing for their consolidation into a block grant program and privatization of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Subtitle B: Housing Programs Reforms - Eliminates operating subsidies for vacant public housing and provides for an increase of certain tenant contributions under the United States Housing Act of 1937, along with other specified changes under such Act. Subtitle C: Supplemental Security Income Reforms - Modifies the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program under SSA title XVI concerning: (1) reporting of admissions of SSI recipients to nursing homes; (2) limiting SSI benefits for recipients in nursing homes if Medicaid pays certain care costs; (3) unearned income exclusion under the program; and (4) recovery of SSI overpayments from social security benefits. Subtitle D: Civil Service Reforms - Increases the retirement age under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) to 65 for certain post-1993 new employees and Members of Congress. (Sec. 13302) Defers until age 62 the cost-of-living adjustments for military retirees who first entered military service on or after January 1, 1996. (Sec. 13303) Amends Federal law to eliminate a portion of the Government contribution to the Thrift Savings Plan for Federal employees hired, or Members of Congress first elected, after December 31, 1994. Subtitle E: Assistance Program Reforms - Makes various specified changes with regard to low-income home energy assistance programs, setting annual authorization limits under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981, and establishing additional requirements for unemployment benefits. (Sec. 13403) Denies unemployment benefits to individuals who voluntarily leave military service. (Sec. 13404) Provides for an increase in the variable rate premium charged by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation to single-employer plans under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). Title XIV: Personal Responsibility and Family Preservation - Personal Responsibility Act of 1995 - Subtitle A: Block Grants For Temporary Assistance For Needy Families - Expresses the sense of the Congress with regard to: (1) the importance of marriage and negative consequences of out-of-wedlock births; and (2) the reduction of such births as an important government interest. (Sec. 14101) Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) of SSA title IV to convert the current AFDC program into a block grant program with specified work, job search, and education and training requirements designed to increase State flexibility in providing time-limited assistance and support services (including birth control and child care services) to needy families in order to enable them to leave the program and become self-sufficient. Prohibits such assistance, generally, to: (1) certain aliens; (2) families without a minor child; (3) families not cooperating in paternity establishment or child support; (4) children born out-of-wedlock to a minor parent (or the parent until such parent turns age 18); (5) families not assigning support rights to the State; (6) minor children born to benefit recipients (except that vouchers in lieu of certain child care cash benefits shall not be denied); (7) a person convicted of fraudulently misrepresenting residence in order to receive welfare benefits; (8) fugitive felons and probation and parole violators; and (9) minor children absent from the home for specified periods of time. Requires the withholding of a portion of assistance from families which include a child whose paternity is not established. Provides that in order to be eligible for block grants under such program a State must submit to the HHS Secretary a plan that includes: (1) an outline of the assistance the State intends on providing to needy families with children; and (2) certifications that the State will operate revised SSA title IV part B (Child-Welfare Services) and D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) programs in accordance with this Act. Allows States to use grants for: (1) providing low-income household heating and cooling assistance; (2) implementing an electronic benefit transfer system for providing assistance to needy families with children; and (3) carrying out a State program pursuant to specified provisions of Federal law, including the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990. Gives States the authority to treat families moving interstate under the former State program rules if they reside in their new State of residence for less than 12 months. Increases the amount of such grants for States which have reduced their out-of-wedlock births. Prescribes penalties for violations of grant uses and mandatory work requirements. Establishes in the Treasury a revolving loan fund known as the Federal Rainy Day Fund for making loans to, and receiving payments of principal and interest on such loans from, qualified States under the new State block grant program. Expresses the sense of the Congress that States: (1) should require noncustodial, nonsupporting parents who have not attained 18 years of age to fulfill community work obligations and attend appropriate parenting or money management classes after school; and (2) operating block grant programs are encouraged to assign the highest priority to requiring families that include older preschool or school-age children to be engaged in work activities. Directs the Secretary to: (1) research the costs and benefits of State activities under this title; (2) evaluate innovative approaches to employing program recipients; (3) rank States in order of their success under the grant program; and (4) review the most and least successful State work programs. Sets forth requirements for: (1) State data collection and reporting; and (2) a Census Bureau study obtaining information for evaluating the impact of this title on a random national sample of recipients of assistance under State block grant programs. Appropriates funds for the latter. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) conduct research on the effects, costs, and benefits of State block grant programs under this title; (2) assist States in development and evaluation of innovative approaches to employing welfare recipients; and (3) conduct studies of the caseloads of States operating programs under this title. Directs the Secretary to develop innovative methods of disseminating information on any research, evaluations, and studies conducted under this title. (Sec. 14102) Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on automated data processing systems under State block grant programs and the modifications necessary for tracking public program participants and checking case records to prohibit participants from participating in public programs of two or more States. (Sec. 14106) Provides for the continued application of current AFDC standards under Medicaid. Subtitle B: Child Protection Block Grant Program - Revises SSA title IV part B's Child-Welfare Services program, converting it also into a program of block grants to the States, in this case, for the protection of children in accordance with specified standards. (Sec. 14201) Sets forth requirements regarding: (1) State eligibility plans with appropriate certifications; (2) grant uses; (3) penalties; (4) data collection and reporting; (5) research; (6) a national random sample study of at-risk children; and (7) continued application of current standards under Medicaid. Allows grant-receiving States to consider establishing kinship care foster care placement programs with a preferred placement option for adult relatives (who meet all relevant child protection standards) of children separated from their parents. Adds requirements for: (1) citizen review panels for examining specific cases to ensure that State and local agencies are doing their job properly to protect children; (2) a clearinghouse and telephone hotline on missing and runaway children; (3) decreasing the time children wait for adoption; and (4) preventing discrimination in multiethnic placements of children. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 14205) Expresses the sense of the Congress regarding timely adoption of children. Subtitle C: Block Grants for Child Care and for Nutrition Assistance - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to add the following as goals for such Act: (1) to allow each State maximum flexibility in developing child care programs and policies that best suit the needs of children and parents within such State; (2) to promote parental choice to empower working parents to make their own decisions on the child care that best suits their family's needs; (3) to encourage States to provide consumer education information to help parents make informed choices about child care; (4) to assist States to provide child care to parents trying to achieve independence from public assistance; and (5) to assist States in implementing the health, safety, licensing, and registration standards established in State regulations. (Sec. 14301) Reauthorizes and extends such Act through 2000. Makes various specified technical and other changes to the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 with regard to lead State agency designation, State application and plan, and limitations on State allotments. Repeals earmarked required expenditures. Requires each State to report a plan for annual evaluations of the extent to which the State has achieved each goal established by this Act. Authorizes a State to transfer funds to carry out other State programs operated under specified provisions of Federal law, including AFDC and child-welfare programs. (Sec. 14302) Repeals certain child care assistance authorized by specified Acts other than SSA, including Native Hawaiian Family-Based Education Centers under the Native Hawaiian Education Act. Revises the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, among other changes, converting the current child nutrition program under it into a State family nutrition block grant program with goals that include the following: (1) to provide nutritional risk assessment, food assistance based on such risk assessment, and nutrition education and counseling to economically disadvantaged pregnant women, postpartum women, breastfeeding women, infants, and young children at nutritional risk; and (2) to provide food assistance, including nutritious meal supplements, to such women in order to reduce incidences of low- birthweight babies and babies born with birth defects as a result of nutritional deficiencies. (Sec. 14321) Sets forth the formula for allotting appropriations among the States. Specifies the use of grant amounts, including specified additional requirements with respect to: (1) assistance for economically disadvantaged pregnant women, postpartum women, breastfeeding women, infants, and young children; and (2) child care assistance on military installations. Establishes penalties for misuse of funds. Requires the appropriate State agency to determine that sufficient grant amounts will remain available during a fiscal year to carry out this subtitle before using any such amounts for the fiscal year. Sets out State reporting requirements. Directs the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences to develop, and report to specified congressional committees, model nutrition standards for food assistance provided to economically disadvantaged pregnant women, postpartum women, breastfeeding women, infants, and young children. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 14341) Amends the National School Lunch Act, among other changes, converting the current school lunch program into a program of school-based nutrition block grants to States to provide assistance to schools to establish and carry out nutritious food service programs that provide affordable meals and supplements to students. Requires the appropriate State agency to determine that sufficient grant amounts will remain available during a fiscal year to carry out this subtitle before using any such amounts for the fiscal year. Prohibits a State from requiring a school district, private nonprofit school, or DOD domestic dependents' school to accept commodities, except on request, for use in its food service program. Directs the States to ensure that schools provided State assistance in establishing and carrying out nutritious food service programs do not: (1) physically segregate children eligible to receive free or low cost meals or supplements on the basis of such eligibility; (2) provide for overt identification of such children by special means; or (3) otherwise discriminate against them. Provides that if, by reason of any other provision of law, a State is prohibited from providing assistance received from a grant under such Act to private nonprofit schools or DOD domestic dependents' schools, or if the State has substantially failed or is unwilling to provide such assistance, the Secretary of Agriculture shall arrange for its provision to such schools in accordance with the requirements of such Act. Directs the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences to develop, and report to specified congressional committees, model nutrition standards for meals provided to students under such Act. Eliminates other current school lunch programs, including the summer food service programs for children in service institutions, the child and adult care food program, meal supplements for children in afterschool care, specified pilot projects, as well as the current publication entitled "Nutrition Guidance for Child Nutrition Programs." Retains the current program for nutritious food service programs in DOD overseas dependents' schools. (Sec. 14361) Repeals the Commodity Distribution Reform Act and WIC Amendments of 1987 and the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 1989. (Sec. 14371) Repeals the Abandoned Infants Assistance Act of 1988, with conforming amendments to the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973. Repeals the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (with conforming amendments to the Victims of Crime Act of 1984), as well as the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978. Makes technical amendments to the Temporary Child Care for Children with Disabilities and Crisis Nurseries Act of 1986, eliminating the crisis nursery demonstration program, among other changes. Repeals: (1) the Missing Children's Assistance Act; (2) the family center support provisions of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act; (3) certain investigatory and prosecutory provisions of the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990; and (4) the family unification program provisions of the United States Housing Act of 1937. (Sec. 14381) Directs the Secretary to produce and publish data on the incidence of poverty for each State, county, and local government for which data have been compiled, as well as for each school district. Requires a report to the Congress, if such data cannot be produced, enumerating each government or school district excluded and giving the reasons for the exclusion. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 14382) Requires the Secretary to produce data relating to participation in programs authorized by this Act by families and children. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 14400) Declares that: (1) it is a compelling government interest to enact new rules for eligibility and sponsorship agreements in order to assure that aliens be self-reliant in accordance with national immigration policy; and (2) it is a compelling government interest to remove the incentive for illegal immigration provided by the availability of public benefits. (Sec. 14401) Makes illegal and lawful nonimmigrant aliens ineligible for any Federal means-tested public benefits program, with certain exceptions. (Sec. 14403) Makes aliens lawfully present in the United States ineligible for SSI, block grant temporary and social services assistance, Medicaid, and consolidated food assistance. Exempts from such eligibility restrictions on lawful aliens: (1) refugees until five years after their arrival in the United States; (2) all eligible resident aliens until one year after enactment of this Act; (3) all lawful permanent residents over 75 years of age who have resided in the United States for at least five years; and (4) all lawful permanent residents unable because of physical or developmental disability or mental impairment (including Alzheimer's disease) to comply with certain naturalization requirements. (Sec. 14411) Requires each Federal agency administering a program covered by this title to post information and provide general notification to the public and program recipients, either directly or through the States, of the requirements concerning alien eligibility for any such program pursuant to this title. (Sec. 14412) Makes illegal and nonimmigrant aliens ineligible for any State or local means-tested public benefits programs, with certain exceptions including those for non-cash, in-kind emergency services, aliens granted asylum, and temporary agricultural workers. (Sec. 14413) Authorizes States to determine eligibility requirements for aliens lawfully present in the United States (other than as nonimmigrants) for any State or local means-tested public assistance program except non-cash, in-kind emergency assistance. Exempts from such eligibility restrictions on lawful aliens: (1) refugees until five years after their arrival in the United States; (2) all eligible resident aliens until one year after enactment of this Act; and (3) all lawful permanent residents over 75 years of age who have resided in the United States for at least five years. (Sec. 14421) Provides that in determining the eligibility and the amount of benefits of any alien for any means-tested public benefits program (except those for certain housing-related assistance), the income and resources of the alien shall be deemed 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). Applies such requirement with respect to an alien until such time as the alien achieves U.S. citizenship through naturalization. (Sec. 14422) Sets forth requirements for sponsor's affidavit of support. (Sec. 14431) Sets forth definitions and provides for the determination of lawful presence. Subtitle E: Food Stamp Reform and Commodity Distribution - Food Stamp Reform and Commodity Distribution Act - Commodity Distribution Act of 1995 - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to purchase and distribute food assistance commodities. (Sec. 14513) Requires the Secretary to establish procedures for supplemental State, local, and private commodity donations. (Sec. 14514) Requires a State seeking commodity assistance to submit an administrative plan every four years to the Secretary. (Sec. 14515) Establishes program allocation guidelines. Requires States to make emergency feeding organizations their first priority. (Sec. 14517) Authorizes the Secretary to use Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds to pay initial commodity processing and packaging costs. (Sec. 14519) Authorizes program appropriations, including separate authorization of appropriations for administrative costs. (Sec. 14520) Obligates specified funds for a commodity supplemental food program for women, infants, and children or the elderly. Requires the CCC to donate specified amounts of cheese and nonfat dry milk to such program. (Sec. 14521) States that commodities received under this title shall not be considered income or resources for any Federal, State, or local means-tested program. (Sec. 14522) Provides that whenever a commodity is made available without charge or credit under this chapter by the Secretary for distribution within the States to eligible recipient agencies, the State may not charge recipient agencies any amount that is in excess of the State's direct costs of storing and transporting to recipient agencies the commodities, minus any amount the Secretary provides the State for the costs of storing and transporting such commodities. (Sec. 14528) Repeals specified food and commodity distribution programs. (Sec. 14541) Directs the Secretary to make grants in accordance with specified guidelines to States to provide food assistance to economically disadvantaged individuals and families. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 14542) Directs the Secretary to issue, and make available for purchase by States, coupons for the retail purchase of food from retail food stores that are approved in accordance with specified criteria and are redeemable at face value by the Secretary through the facilities of the Treasury. (Sec. 14544) Repeals the Food Stamp Act of 1977. (Sec. 14592) Expresses the sense of the Congress that States that operate electronic benefit systems to transfer benefits provided under the Food Stamp Act of 1977 should operate electronic benefit systems that are compatible with each other. (Sec. 14593) Expresses the sense of the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives that reductions in outlays resulting from subtitle B shall not be taken into account for purposes of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm- Rudman-Hollings). Subtitle F: Supplemental Security Income - Amends SSI to: (1) deny SSI by reason of disability to drug addicts and alcoholics; (2) place restrictions on eligibility for cash benefits for disabled children; and (3) establish a program of block grants to States for children with disabilities. (Sec. 14601) Provides funding for the: (1) Federal Capacity Expansion Program for drug treatment; and (2) medication development project to improve drug abuse and treatment research. (Sec. 14603) Amends the Social Security Independence and Program Improvements Act of 1994 to provide for the examination of certain mental disorder listings in determining the eligibility of children for SSI benefits by reason of disability. (Sec. 14604) Amends SSA title XI to limit the total amount payable under SSA titles I (Old Age Assistance), X (Aid to the Blind), XIV (Aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled), and XVI to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam. (Sec. 14605) Repeals maintenance of effort requirements applicable to optional State programs for supplementation of SSI benefits. (Sec. 14606) Provides for denial of SSI benefits for ten years to individuals found to have fraudulently misrepresented residence in order to obtain benefits simultaneously in two or more States. (Sec. 14607) Provides for denial of SSI benefits for fugitive felons and probation and parole violators. (Sec. 14608) Prescribes reapplication requirements for adults receiving SSI benefits by reason of disability. (Sec. 14609) Repeals certain restrictions regarding determination of ineligibility. (Sec. 14610) Requires the HHS Secretary to revise certain regulations in order to narrow SSI eligibility on the basis of mental impairment. Subtitle G: Child Support - Revises SSA title IV part D's child support and paternity establishment program to make various specified changes with regard to: (1) case registries; (2) State obligation to provide child support enforcement services; (3) distribution of child support collections; and (4) privacy safeguards. (Sec. 14711) Modifies such program further to make various additional specified changes with regard to: (1) automated State case registries and new hire directories for tracking cases, exchanging and comparing information, handling locate requests, and other specified matters; (2) collection and disbursement of support payments through State disbursement units; (3) income withholding; (4) locate information from interstate networks and the Federal Parent Locator Service (FPLS); (5) reimbursement for information from Federal agencies and for reports by State agencies; (6) an expanded FPLS containing the automated Federal Case Registry of Child Support Orders and the National Directory of New Hires; and (7) collection and use of social security numbers for use in child support enforcement. (Sec. 14721) Requires each State to have in effect the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, as approved by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws in August 1992, and modified by this Act, and the procedures required to implement such Act. Requires such law to be applied to any case involving an order which is established or modified in a State and which is sought to be modified or enforced in another State. (Sec. 14722) Amends the Federal judicial code to modify provisions concerning the full faith and credit for child support orders. (Sec. 14723) Requires each State to have in effect laws: (1) requiring the use of procedures for administrative enforcement in interstate cases; and (2) providing expedited procedures for establishing paternity and for establishing, modifying, and enforcing support obligations using automated means. (Sec. 14731) Modifies State law procedures for paternity establishment, among other changes, providing for voluntary paternity acknowledgment. (Sec. 14732) Provides for outreach for voluntary paternity establishment. (Sec. 14733) Requires a State plan for child and spousal support to provide for the cooperation by applicants for and recipients of temporary family assistance in establishing the paternity of, and in establishing, modifying, or enforcing a support order for, any child of the individual. (Sec. 14741) Makes various specified changes to State payment provisions, including incentive payment requirements. Revises State plan and other provisions with respect to, among other items, Federal and State reviews and audits and State procedures for collecting and reporting information required by SSA title IV part D. (Sec. 14745) Revises automated data processing requirements. (Sec. 14746) Provides funding for technical assistance to States for improving their SSA title IV part D programs and for operating FPLS. (Sec. 14747) Makes changes with regard to annual congressional reports and data collection by the Secretary. (Sec. 14751) Modifies the process for the review and adjustment of child support orders. (Sec. 14761) Amends the Internal Revenue Code and SSA title IV part D with regard to enforcement of child support orders, among other changes: (1) providing for changed order of refund distribution; (2) eliminating the disparities in treatment of assigned and non-assigned arrearages; (3) consolidating and revising authorities for collecting support from Federal employees; (4) providing for laws voiding fraudulent transfers; (5) providing for procedures to ensure that persons owing past-due support work or have a plan for payment of such support; and (6) defining the term "support order." (Sec. 14763) Provides for enforcement of child support obligations of members of the armed forces. (Sec. 14765) Expresses the sense of the Congress that each State should suspend any driver's, business, or occupational license issued to any person owing past-due child support. Requires States to have procedures under which: (1) liens arise by operation of law against real and personal property for over due support (and liens arising in other States are accorded full faith and credit); and (2) the State has authority to withhold, suspend, or restrict the use of driver's, professional and occupations, and recreational licenses of individuals owing overdue support or failing, after due notice, to comply with subpoenas or warrants relating to paternity or child support proceedings. (Sec. 14771) Amends ERISA to make a technical correction to its definition of medical child support order. (Sec. 14781) Amends SSA title IV part D to require the Administration for Children and Families to make grants to enable States to establish and administer programs to support and facilitate absent parents' access to and visitation of their children. Amends the Gramm-Rudman Hollings Act to provide for adjustments for discretionary programs resulting under this Act. (Sec. 14802) Amends the Electronic Fund Transfer Act to encourage electronic benefit transfer systems. Title XV: Veterans' Benefits and Services - Subtitle A: Administrative Reforms - Provides for a reduction in overhead expenses of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Subtitle B: Extension of Certain Veterans Programs - Extends permanently various specified veterans programs, including those providing authority for medical care cost recovery. Subtitle C: Home Loan Guarantee Program Reforms - Makes various specified changes with regard to the home loan guarantee program. Subtitle D: Medical Program Reforms - Mandates certain Department medical care system savings through establishment of a Prospective Payment System for hospital care within it. Provides for specified expenditure reductions for major construction and closure of inefficient veterans' hospitals. Subtitle E: Other Veterans Programs Reforms - Delineates modifications in other veterans' programs as well, including elimination of certain sunset dates and third-party reimbursement changes. Title XVI: Administration of Justice - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - Reauthorizes and extends various specified activities and entities of the Department of Justice through FY 2000, providing for a reduction in Department overhead expenses as well. (Sec. 16011) Authorizes appropriations for the Customs and Secret Service as well as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms through FY 2000. Authorizes appropriations for certain defender services. (Sec. 16021) Reorganizes the U.S. Marshals Service, among other specified changes, phasing out political appointees. Subtitle B: Prison Reforms - Provides for privatization of Federal correctional institutions, and for priority payments to public safety officers under the Victims of Crime Fund. Subtitle C: Justice Assistance Program Reforms - Repeals the Legal Services Corporation Act to abolish the Legal Services Corporation, and amends other specified Federal law to eliminate the Bureau of Justice Assistance and the State Justice Institute. Increases the surcharge on debts collected by the United States. Subtitle D: Federal Bureau of Investigation Reforms - Rescinds the unobligated balance of specified funds for the Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprinting laboratory in West Virginia. Subtitle E: Other Justice Program Reforms - Authorizes appropriations for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Sec. 16502) Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to harbor maintenance fees. Title XVII: General Government - Subtitle A: Administrative Reforms - Provides for a reduction in overhead expenses of certain foreign operations activities, the Department of the Treasury, the Office of Personnel Management, and various independent agencies. Terminates the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations, other specified miscellaneous advisory committees, and Federal Information Centers. Subtitle B: Legislative Branch Reductions - Provides for a reduction in overhead expenses of the Executive Office of the President (sic). (Sec. 17102) Alters the formula for determining official mail allowances under the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1991, and prohibits certain mail-related fund transfers under the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1993. (Sec. 17104) Provides for temporary suspension of automatic pay adjustments for Members of Congress. Subtitle C: Executive Branch Reductions - Provides for a reduction in overhead expenses of the Executive Office of the President. (Sec. 17202) Repeals unlimited annual leave accumulation for the Senior Executive Service and limits the number of executive branch political appointees. Subtitle D: Specific Program Reforms - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for a decrease in the presidential election campaign fund check-off. (Sec. 17302) Provides for a moratorium on construction and acquisition of new Federal buildings. (Sec. 17303) Terminates annual direct assistance to the Northern Mariana Islands. (Sec. 17304) Transfers the position of Public Printer and related functions to the legislative branch and likewise switches the position of Superintendent of Documents and related functions to the Library of Congress, to be carried out by such official under the Librarian of Congress' direction. Requires Government publications to be available throughout the Government. Sets forth requirements related to department and agency inventories of Government publications and the availability of such inventory available through a certain electronic directory. Adds additional specified responsibilities for the Public Printer and Superintendent of Documents. (Sec. 17305) Repeals transitional appropriations authorizations for the Post Office.
Bill· HRH.R. 1913 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Improvements to the Rural Electrification Loans Programs Title II: Preservation of Exclusive State Jurisdiction Over Retail Electric Service Territories Rural Electrification Loan Reform Act of 1995 - Title I: Improvements to the Rural Electrification Loan Programs - Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (Act) to repeal authority for: (1) Treasury loans; and (2) two-percent interest rate electric loans and electrical and plumbing equipment loans. (Sec. 108) Authorizes appropriations for administrative and certain publication and reporting requirements. Establishes fees for non-financial assistance and services provided under such Act. (Sec. 112) Reduces the maximum loan extension period. (Sec. 115) Limits authority to make, insure, and guarantee electric loans, including the imposition of a means-test and a loan graduation (to commercial sources) program. (Sec. 121) Authorizes the sharing or subordination of Government liens to assist borrower credit access. (Sec. 122) Repeals authority for: (1) refinancing of Federal financing bank loans; (2) special treatment of certain electric borrowers; (3) 30 percent limitation on required financing from other sources; (4) refinancing of certain rural development loans; (5) cushion of credit payments program; and (6) authorization of appropriations for electric hardship and electric municipal rate loans. Title II: Preservation of Exclusive State Jurisdiction Over Retail Electric Service Territories - Amends the Federal Power Act of 1935 to provide for exclusive State jurisdiction over allocation of retail electric service territories.
Bill· HRH.R. 1900 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1995
Amends the Clean Air Act to add specified definitions relating to agriculture-related facilities (grain elevators, grain, feed, or rice mills, or grain processing facilities). Defines "potential to emit" as the potential of a facility to emit during a one-year period under maximum realistic operation. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in determining the maximum realistic operation of an agriculture-related facility, to consider: (1) the cyclical or seasonal nature of the facility; and (2) the maximum hours of operation of the facility that actually occurred during any of the preceding five years in the case of a facility in operation on the date of determination. Requires the Administrator to consider the effect of control equipment and techniques in lowering the potential to emit of an agriculture-related facility. Exempts a source from permitting requirements if the source is not a major source and is subject to emissions standards for new stationary sources or requirements for stationary sources of hazardous air pollutants.
Bill· SS. 942 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Regulatory Simplification and Voluntary Compliance Title II: Small Business Responsiveness of Covered Agencies Title III: Financial Accountability of Covered Agencies Relating to Fees and Expenses Small Business Regulatory Fairness Act of 1995 - Title I: Regulatory Simplification and Voluntary Compliance - Directs a Federal regulatory agency that is required to prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis for a rule or group of related rules to publish a compliance guide which: (1) contains a summary of the rules and a citation as to their location; (2) provides a notice to small businesses (small entities) of such rules as well as an understandable explanation of actions necessary for compliance; and (3) is updated as required to reflect rule changes. Requires such guides to be disseminated to small entities, as well as to small business development centers. Prohibits any covered agency from bringing an action against a small entity to enforce a rule for which such a guide has not been published and disseminated. (Sec. 103) Requires covered agencies other than the Federal Trade Commission, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission to determine within 90 days whether to grant or deny a request by a small entity that no action be taken against such entity with respect to the enforcement of a rule (no action request). Allows a small entity to rely on a no action response from a covered agency in any subsequent action brought against the small entity for a rule's enforcement. (Sec. 104) Makes inadmissible as evidence in an action, as well as outside of the bounds of discovery, any information compiled by a small entity in a voluntary self-audit. Provides exceptions. (Sec. 105) Prohibits the imposition of a fine or penalty against a small entity if the entity proves that: (1) a covered agency rule is vague or ambiguous; and (2) the interpretation of the rule by the small entity is reasonable considering such rule and any applicable compliance guide. Title II: Small Business Responsiveness of Covered Agencies - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to designate in each SBA region a senior SBA employee to serve as the Regional Small Business and Agriculture Ombudsman for such area. Requires the Ombudsman: (1) to solicit and receive comments from small businesses regarding regulatory enforcement activities of covered agencies; (2) based on such comments, to annually publish a small business responsiveness rating to each covered agency; (3) to publish periodic reports compiling the comments received; (4) to coordinate the activities of the Small Business Regulatory Fairness Board established under this title; and (5) to establish a toll-free telephone number to receive comments from small businesses. (Sec. 202) Directs the SBA Administrator to establish in each region a Small Business Regulatory Fairness Board to: (1) advise the Ombudsman on matters of concern to small businesses with respect to the regulatory enforcement activities of covered agencies; (2) conduct investigations of, and issue advisory findings and recommendations concerning, such enforcement activities; (3) review and approve the responsiveness ratings promulgated by the Ombudsman; and (4) prepare written opinions regarding the reasonableness and understanding of rules issued by covered agencies. (Sec. 203) Amends the Act to direct small business development centers to provide specified assistance to, and develop publications and programs for, small businesses with respect to regulatory requirements of covered agencies and compliance guides. Title III: Financial Accountability of Covered Agencies Relating to Fees and Expenses - Directs a covered agency to award fees, costs, and other expenses to a prevailing small entity in an adversary proceeding that raises a successful defense to a regulatory enforcement action or that receives a corrective action or penalty which is less burdensome than that sought or demanded by the covered agency. Limits the rate of payment of attorney's fees to no more than $150 per hour. Waives the payment of such fees, costs, and expenses only in limited special circumstances. Prohibits covered agencies from increasing fees regularly charged for services in order to cover fees, costs, and other expenses required to be paid to a prevailing small entity.
Bill· SS. 935 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1995
Riparian Forest Pilot Program Establishment Act - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a riparian forest buffer program in certain conservation priority areas.
Bill· SS. 929 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Abolishment of Department of Commerce Title II: Disposition of Particular Programs, Functions, and Agencies of Department of Commerce Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions Department of Commerce Dismantling Act - Title I: Abolishment of Department of Commerce - Replaces the Department of Commerce (DOC) with the Commerce Programs Resolution Agency (CPRA), which is limited to three years to wind up and terminate the functions and obligations of the DOC before the CPRA itself is abolished. Directs the Comptroller General to report on the most efficient means of abolishing the DOC, and transferring or terminating its functions. Title II: Disposition of Particular Programs, Functions, and Agencies of Department of Commerce - Repeals the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 and transfers all financial obligations, liabilities, and related rights owned by DOC under such Act to the Department of the Treasury. Requires an audit by the Comptroller General of all DOC grants made under such Act in FY 1995. (Sec. 202) Transfers all export control functions of the DOC under the Export Administration Act to the Secretary of Defense, the President, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of State. Authorizes a limited number of specified DOC special agents to the Customs Service. Abolishes the Office of Foreign Availability and the Office of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration, and provides for the appointment of an Industries Board to advise the Secretary of State. (Sec. 203) Transfers specified national security functions: (1) granted by the Trade Expansion Act to the International Trade Commission; and (2) granted by the Defense Production Act to the Secretaries of Defense and of the Treasury. Directs the President to appoint committees of industry representatives to advise the National Security Council. (Sec. 204) Transfers to the United States Trade Representative (USTR) the functions of the DOC's International Trade Administration, and powers granted by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. Makes the Secretary of the Treasury chairman and executive officer of the Foreign Trade Zones Board. Renames the United States and Foreign Commercial Service the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service (Commercial Service), abolishes specified functions, and transfers it to the USTR. Conveys all export promotion functions of the DOC to the USTR, authorizing the USTR to require private entities to pay for promotion services. Transfers the authority to collect and evaluate information on international investment and trade services to the Secretary of the Treasury. Abolishes the international economic policy analysis functions of the DOC. Terminates the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA), and divides CITA's tasks among the USTR, the Commercial Service, and the Secretary of the Treasury. Transfers all DOC functions under the Fair Trade in Auto Parts Act of 1988 to the International Trade Commission. Requires the appointment of industry boards to advise the Secretary of the Treasury and the USTR regarding their new powers. (Sec. 205) Transfers the Patent and Trademark Office to the Department of Justice, and requires that the activities of that Office be funded solely by fees. (Sec. 206) Terminates the Technology Administration and the Office of Technology Policy. Transfers the National Institute of Standards and Technology to the National Science Foundation, and transfers its laboratories to the CPRA to be sold. Eliminates funding for, and requires the sale of assets of, the National Technical Information Service. (Sec. 207) Transfers the Bureau of the Census to the Department of the Treasury. Declares it to be the sense of the Congress that such Bureau should: (1) implement the Census Address List Improvement Act of 1994 in a timely fashion; and (2) streamline census questionnaires to promote savings in the collection and tabulation of data. (Sec. 208) Transfers the Bureau of Economic Analysis to the Federal Reserve System, requiring the director of that Bureau to report to the Congress on: (1) the availability of private resources capable of handling a portion or all of the Bureau's assigned tasks; and (2) the feasibility of a fee system to defray costs. (Sec. 209) Terminates assistance to: (1) public telecommunications; (2) educational television programs; and (3) telecommunications demonstrations. Repeals establishment of the National Endowment for Children's Educational Television (thus abolishing it). (Sec. 210) Transfers specified functions under the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act to the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. (Sec. 211) Terminates: (1) funding of specified fishery assistance programs; (2) the fisheries trade promotion program; (3) the authority to guarantee obligations for fishing vessels and facilities; (4) future compensation for damage, loss, or destruction of fishing vessels or fishing gear; and (5) funding of specified Federal fishery research projects. Eliminates the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Corps and the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, and conveys specified functions of both to the National Weather Service. Transfers the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information System Data Centers in part to the CPRA to be sold, and in part to the National Weather Service. Terminates certain functions of the National Weather Service, and transfers it to the Department of the Interior. Reallocates various specified functions of the National Marine Fisheries Services to the Secretary of Transportation, the Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Secretary of Agriculture. Conveys specified functions of the National Ocean Service to the United States Geological Survey and the Secretary of the Interior. Transfers certain NOAA environmental research laboratories to the CPRA to be sold. (Sec. 212) Abolishes the following DOC agencies and programs: (1) Economic Development Administration; (2) Minority Business Development Administration; (3) United States Travel and Tourism Administration; (4) National Telecommunications and Information Administration; (5) Advanced Technology Program; and (6) Manufacturing Extension Programs. (Sec. 214) Declares the sense of the Congress that the head of each agency performing a function vested by this Act should, wherever feasible, explore and implement user fees for services provided in the performance of such function, to offset operating costs. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Limits annual expenditures for any function not terminated by this Act to 75 percent of FY 1994 expenditures for the performance of such function.
Bill· SS. 933 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: National Health Trust Fund for Mothers and Children Title II: Healthy Mothers, Healthy Children Program Title III: Financing Provisions Healthy Mothers, Healthy Children Act of 1995 - Title I: National Health Trust Fund for Mothers and Children - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to establish the National Health Trust Fund for Mothers and Children (Health Fund) to ensure affordable, comprehensive, high quality health care coverage for children and all uninsured pregnant women. Appropriates to the Health Fund the amount of estimated Federal savings resulting from enactment of this Act: (1) under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act; and (2) attributable to duplication of services or functions under any other Federal health program. Appropriates a limited amount of the taxes imposed by this Act on tobacco products for activities to prevent the use of other tobacco products by children and to coordinate Federal and State tobacco initiatives. Title II: Healthy Mothers, Healthy Children Program - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require that participating States establish programs to ensure that eligible children and pregnant women are enrolled in health plans. Mandates allocations to participating States. Requires trust funds in each participating State. Provides for State contributions. Requires unallocated Federal and State trust funds to remain available. Provides for responses to insufficient Federal funds. Allows States with insufficient funds to petition for additional Federal funding or loans. Declares eligible for coverage U.S. citizens or legal resident aliens, regardless of income, who are children under seven years or uninsured pregnant women. Regulates coverage for children receiving benefits under specified Federal programs. Prohibits (except for title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act) coverage for women receiving benefits under specified Federal programs. Regulates enrolling systems. Allows choice of certified plans. Prohibits waiting periods. Prohibits preexisting condition exclusions for children obtaining coverage under this Act and for children and women obtaining coverage elsewhere when their coverage under this Act terminates. Requires that benefits under this Act be better than average Medicaid benefits but not better than the most generous State's Medicaid benefits. Prohibits copayments for preventive services. Requires that coverage for children and women cover at least ambulatory care, laboratory services, prescription drugs, inpatient care, mental health and substance abuse services, and limited investigational treatments. Requires that coverage for children also include preventive services, rehabilitative services, durable medical equipment, long-term and chronic health care services, special health care services for children with disabilities or chronic health conditions, occupational, physical, and respiratory therapy, and speech-language pathology services. Requires that coverage for women also include maternity care, inpatient hospital and nonhospital delivery, and other pregnancy- or nonpregnancy-related health conditions. Prohibits, for the first two years after implementation of this title, duration or scope limitations. Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that employer-based, self-insured, and other health plans not participating in the program under this title be encouraged to provide benefits similar to those under this title. Requires premiums or copayments. Prohibits deductibles. Allows States to develop State-specific cost sharing requirements. Prohibits cost sharing for low income families. Allows States to provide additional premium or copayment subsidies for low income families. Makes families responsible for paying the family portion of the premium (to a specified maximum) and States responsible for paying the premium subsidy plus any family portion exceeding the maximum limit. Requires that all families, regardless of income, receive premium subsidies. Makes families responsible for premiums for plans more expensive than the least expensive plan and for premiums for additional benefit packages chosen. Sets forth a formula for subsidy calculation. Regulates the amount of copayments. Prohibits copayments for preventive services. Sets maximum annual family contribution limits. Requires that States: (1) have five-year strategic plans, quality assessment and improvement programs, utilization review programs, and fraud and abuse prevention and control programs; and (2) meet certain health information system requirements. Allows a State with an existing health care program providing coverage similar to that under this Act to submit a proposal to expand the services provided or to expand coverage for children up to age 21. Allows a State with a waiver under specified provisions of the Social Security Act to be participating States and to propose to expand services. Mandates a one-time program development grant to a State on approval of its participation application. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, if sufficient funding and public support exists, to implement guidelines to expand the categories of eligible individuals nationally to include additional groups of children up to 21 years old. Allows a State to expand the State program if sufficient funds are in the State fund. Requires Federal matching funds if a State deposits additional funds in its State fund for the expansion. Provides for Federal administration (directly or through a non-State government organization) if a participating State fails to meet the requirements of this title. Limits State administration expenditures. Requires each State to annually prepare a quality assessment and improvement plan. Establishes the National Advisory Council on Mothers' and Children's Health. Mandates development of national quality assessment and improvement program guidelines and national utilization review program guidelines for use by certified plans. Establishes a National Health Information System for Mothers and Children and, as a part of that System, a National Childhood Immunization Database. Establishes a program for preventing, monitoring, and investigating fraud related to this title's program. Requires States to have statewide systems for preventing, monitoring, and investigating fraud and abuse. Allows the statewide systems to be integrated with the State's Medicaid fraud and abuse control systems. Directs the Secretary to submit a proposal to the Congress for civil and criminal penalties for fraud and abuse related to this title. Prohibits any individual or entity guilty of fraud or abuse from participating in the Federal or a State program for a specified time. Establishes a program of grants to improve the access of children and pregnant women to health services, strengthen public health functions, enhance health-related research, and support other activities that improve the health of children and pregnant women. Requires matching non-Federal funds. Mandates a five year strategic plan outlining the national priorities for maternal and child health and reviewing existing Federal programs. Mandates Federal and State integration and coordination with similar activities. Requires using a maximum percentage of the amount deposited in the Health Fund for grants under this paragraph. Sets forth the responsibilities of families, certified plans, employers, States, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of Agriculture under this title. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to impose a temporary annual maintenance of effort fee on any employer who terminates dependent health care coverage for children under seven years old after enactment of this title. Prohibits employers from: (1) dropping employee-dependent children until six months after a State fully implements a State program; (2) selectively dropping health care coverage for employee-dependent children with higher than average utilization or health care costs; or (3) dropping pregnancy-related health care benefits for their employees and dependents after enactment of this Act. Automatically enrolls in the State program under this title children under seven years of age, and pregnant women, who are enrolled in Medicaid. Requires that all Medicaid benefits be received under the State program under this title, but allows a State, in some circumstances, to elect not to shift long-term and chronic care services for children with disabilities or chronic health conditions to this program. Requires States that so elect to develop health care coordination plans. Requires biennial reviews of Federal and State programs providing health services to children under seven years old and pregnant women to ensure integration and coordination with services under this title. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, if Federal functions are duplicated by this title, to submit recommendations to the Congress regarding the elimination or reduction of the programs. Directs the Secretary and participating States to ensure that Federal payments under title V (Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant) of the Social Security Act and matching State funds under this title are retained within existing programs to meet specified requirements. Makes available from the Health Fund such sums as necessary to carry out this title in each fiscal year. Authorizes to be appropriated with respect to programs and activities required to be carried out by the Secretary and by the Attorney General under this title, such sums as necessary for specified fiscal years. Amends the Federal criminal code to make it unlawful for any person knowingly to purchase, sell, distribute, or smuggle in the United States tobacco products designed for consumption beyond the territorial jurisdiction of U.S. internal revenue laws. Mandates a fine and authorizes confiscation of equipment and vehicles for violations. Title III: Financing Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase taxes imposed on tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes. Provides for the treatment of floor stocks and foreign trade zones. Allows a person who is engaged in business as a manufacturer of roll-your-own tobacco or as an importer of tobacco products or cigarette papers and tubes to continue to engage in such business pending final action on an application to engage in the business. Establishes the Tobacco Alternatives Trust Fund (Tobacco Fund). Transfers to the Tobacco Fund a specified percentage of the net increase in revenues received attributable to amendments made by this title, as estimated. Makes amounts in the Tobacco Fund available, as provided in appropriations Acts, for grants to States for: (1) direct payments to tobacco farmers and workers; (2) assistance to farmers in converting from tobacco to other crops; (3) infrastructure and business-related financing in areas with significant numbers of tobacco-related jobs; (4) job training for tobacco farmers and workers; and (5) other economic development projects in areas with significant numbers of tobacco-related jobs. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to develop an allocation formula. Terminates the provisions of this paragraph on a specified date. Allows individuals to designate that a portion of any overpayment of taxes (under provisions relating to normal income taxes and surtaxes) and a cash contribution be paid to the Health Fund. Treats designated amounts as refunded and makes them nondeductible. Terminates the provisions of this paragraph if all designations fall below a specified level.
Law· HRH.R. 1868 (104th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Export and Investment Assistance Title II: Bilateral Economic Assistance Title III: Military Assistance Title IV: Multilateral Economic Assistance Title V: General Provisions Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1996 - Title I: Export and Investment Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 1996 for: (1) direct loans, loan guarantees, tied-aid grants, insurance, and administrative expenses under Export-Import Bank programs; (2) Overseas Private Investment Corporation direct and guaranteed loans and administrative expenses; (3) the Trade and Development Agency; and (4) U.S. contributions to the International Finance Corporation and the Enterprise for the Americas Multilateral Investment Fund. Title II: Bilateral Economic Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 1996 for: (1) expenses of the President in carrying out certain programs under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (2) the Agency for International Development (AID) for child survival and disease programs; (3) specified development assistance; (4) the African Development Fund; (5) international disaster relief; (6) debt restructuring; (7) micro and small enterprise development programs; (8) administrative expenses of the worldwide housing guarantees program; (9) the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (10) operating expenses of AID and the AID Office of Inspector General; (11) economic support fund (ESF) assistance; (12) the International Fund for Ireland; (13) economic assistance for Eastern Europe and the Baltic States; (14) assistance for the independent states of the former Soviet Union; (15) the African Development Foundation; (16) the Inter-American Foundation; (l7) the Peace Corps (but with a prohibition on the use of such funds for abortions); (18) international narcotics control; (19) migration and refugee assistance, including refugee resettlement assistance; (20) the Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund; (21) antiterrorism assistance; and (22) the Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund. Bars the use of development assistance funds for: (1) abortions or involuntary sterilizations; (2) Zaire; and (3) U.S. private and voluntary organizations which obtain less than 20 percent of annual funding from sources other than the U.S. Government. Prohibits ESF assistance to Zaire. Title III: Military Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 1996 for: (1) international military education and training (with a bar on such assistance to Zaire); (2) foreign military financing and direct loans; and (3) international peacekeeping operations. Prohibits foreign military financing for: (1) any non-NATO country participating in the Partnership for Peace Program except through the regular notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations; and (2) Zaire, Sudan, Peru, Liberia, and Guatemala. Prohibits such assistance to Colombia or Bolivia until the Secretary of State certifies that such funds will be used primarily for counternarcotics activities there. Title IV: Multilateral Economic Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 1996 for the U.S. contribution to the: (1) International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank); (2) International Development Association; (3) Inter-American Development Bank; (4) Asian Development Bank; (5) Asian Development Fund; (6) European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; and (7) North American Development Bank. Makes appropriations for FY 1996 for international programs and organizations. Sets certain restrictions on international organization funding, including prohibiting the use of funds made available to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for activities in China. Title V: General Provisions - Sets forth limits on the use of appropriations, including no more than: (1) 15 percent of such appropriations shall be obligated during the last month of availability; (2) $126,500 for official residence expenses of AID; (3) $5,000 for entertainment expenses of AID; (4) $95,000 for representation allowances for AID; (5) $2,000 for entertainment and representation allowances for the Inter-American Foundation; or (6) $4,000 for entertainment expenses for the Peace Corps. (Sec. 502) Prohibits the use of funds for: (1) bilateral funding of international financial institutions; (2) the export of nuclear equipment, fuel, or technology; (3) direct assistance or reparations to Cuba, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Iran, Serbia, Sudan, or Syria; (4) assistance to any country whose elected head of government is deposed by military coup; (5) certain transfers between appropriations accounts without consultation with Congress; (6) assistance to any country in default in excess of a year on payments on a U.S. loan (except for Nicaragua and narcotics-related assistance for Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru); and (7) assistance for certain commodities which are in surplus on world markets and could injure U.S. producers of a similar commodity, with specified exceptions. (Sec. 514) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Directors of specified international financial institutions to oppose any assistance for the production or extraction of any commodity or mineral for export if it is in surplus on world markets and such assistance will cause substantial injury to U.S. producers of a similar commodity. (Sec. 516) Prohibits the use of international organization funds for the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Libya, Iran, or certain Communist countries. (Sec. 517) Declares it is U.S. policy that funds allocated to Israel from the ESF shall not be less than the annual debt repayment from Israel to the United States. (Sec. 518) Prohibits the use of development assistance funds for abortions or involuntary sterilizations. (Sec. 519) Requires the President to report to the Committees on Appropriations on annual arms sales proposals covering major weapons under the Arms Export Control Act. (Sec. 520) Prohibits the use of funds for Colombia, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Haiti, Indonesia, Liberia, Nicaragua, Peru, Russia, Sudan, or Zaire, except through the regular notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations. (Sec. 522) Makes funds available to AID for family planning, health, child survival, and AIDS research and control in developing countries. (Sec. 523) Bars funding for indirect assistance to Cuba, Iraq, Libya, Iran, Syria, North Korea, or China unless the President certifies that the withholding of such funds is contrary to the national interest. (Sec. 524) Amends the Arms Export Control Act to extend the President's waiver authority with respect to reciprocal leasing through FY 1996. (Sec. 525) Requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to notify the Committees on Appropriations before providing excess DOD articles to certain NATO and major non-NATO countries. (Sec. 527) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Director of each international financial institution, and the Administrator of the Agency for International Development to instruct the U.S. Executive Director of the International Fund for Agriculture Development, to oppose any bilateral assistance to any country that supports terrorism. (Sec. 528) Authorizes the commercial leasing of defense articles to Israel, Egypt, NATO, and major non-NATO allies if the President determines that there are compelling foreign policy or national security reasons. (Sec. 529) Prohibits the sale of Stinger missiles to any country bordering the Persian Gulf. (Sec. 530) Authorizes nongovernmental organizations which are grantees or contractors of AID to place funds made available to them under this Act in interest bearing accounts in order to enhance their participation in economic activities under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, including endowments and debt-for-development and debt-for- nature exchanges. (Sec. 531) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to make funds available for FY 1996 for defense article stockpiles in the Republic of Korea and Thailand. (Sec. 532) Directs the Administrator of the AID to require foreign countries that receive foreign assistance which results in the generation of local currencies to deposit such currencies in a separate account to be used to finance foreign assistance activities. (Sec. 533) Prohibits payments to any international financial institution while the U.S. Executive Director to the institution is compensated at a rate in excess of that for a specified position under the Executive Schedule. (Sec. 534) Bars assistance to any country that is not in compliance with the United Nations sanctions against Iraq, Serbia, or Montenegro unless the President certifies to the Congress that such assistance: (1) is in the national interest; (2) will directly benefit the needy people in that country; or (3) will be humanitarian assistance for foreign nationals who have fled Iraq and Kuwait. Authorizes the President to prohibit the importation into the United States of any product of a foreign country that has not prohibited the importation of Iraq's, Serbia's, or Montenegro's products into its customs territory and the export of its products to such countries. (Sec. 535) Authorizes the drawdown of defense articles, services, and training to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos to assist in efforts to locate members of the armed forces and U.S. civilians who remain unaccounted for from the Vietnam War. (Sec. 537) Requires the Committees on Appropriations to be notified of each country that has been approved for cash flow financing for the procurement of defense articles in excess of $100 million. (Sec. 538) Declares that provisions under this or any other Act authorizing appropriations for foreign operations or export financing shall not be construed to prohibit activities authorized by the Peace Corps Act, the Inter-American Foundation Act, or the African Development Foundation Act. Directs an agency to report to the Committees on Appropriations whenever it is conducting or proposing activities in a country for which such assistance is prohibited. (Sec. 539) Prohibits the use of funds to provide: (1) any financial incentive to a business for purposes of inducing it to relocate outside the United States if it will reduce the number of employees in the United States; (2) assistance for developing in a foreign country an export processing zone or other designated area in which a country's tax, tariff, labor, environment, and safety laws do not apply to activities in the area, unless the President certifies that such assistance is not likely to cause a loss of U.S. jobs; or (3) assistance for any project that contributes to the violation of internationally recognized workers rights in such country. (Sec. 540) Authorizes the President, pursuant to a lifting of the United Nations arms embargo against Bosnia-Hercegovina, to transfer defense articles to such country's government without reimbursement if he certifies to the Congress that the transfer of such articles would assist that nation in self-defense and promote the security and stability of the region. (Sec. 541) Declares that funds appropriated under this Act for Haiti, Afghanistan, Lebanon, and Cambodia, and for victims of war, displaced children, displaced Burmese, humanitarian assistance for Romania, and humanitarian assistance for the peoples of Bosnia- Hercegovina, Croatia, and Kosova, may be made available notwithstanding any other provision of law. Directs the President to terminate assistance to any country that he determines is cooperating with the military activities of the Khmer Rouge. Authorizes the use of foreign assistance funds to support: (1) tropical forestry and energy programs aimed at reducing emissions of greenhouse gases; and (2) biodiversity conservation activities. Authorizes AID to employ personal services contractors to administer programs for the West Bank and Gaza. (Sec. 542) Expresses the sense of the Congress with respect to steps the President should take to encourage renunciation of the Arab boycott of Israel. (Sec. 543) Authorizes the use of ESF funds to strengthen the administration of justice in countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. (Sec. 544) Declares that restrictions on assistance to foreign countries contained in this Act or any other Act shall not be construed to restrict assistance in support of programs of nongovernmental organizations as long as it is in the national interest of the United States. (Sec. 546) Authorizes for FY 1996 the provision of nonlethal excess defense articles, without regard to certain restrictions, to countries (except Jordan) for which U.S. foreign assistance has been requested and for which receipt of such articles was separately justified for the fiscal year. (Sec. 547) Prohibits the use of funds for publicity or propaganda purposes within the United States that were not authorized before the enactment of this Act. (Sec. 548) Sets forth Buy American requirements. (Sec. 549) Prohibits the use of funds to pay any assessments, arrearages, or dues of any U.N. member. (Sec. 551) Prohibits the provision of funds to a private voluntary organization that fails to provide any document, file, or record necessary to the auditing requirements of AID. (Sec. 552) Prohibits the provision of funds to any foreign government that provides lethal military equipment to a country that the Secretary of State has determined has a terrorist government, unless the President determines that the furnishing of such assistance is in the national interest. (Sec. 553) Withholds assistance to a foreign country in an amount equal to 110 percent of the total unpaid parking fines and penalties owed by the country to the District of Columbia. (Sec. 554) Prohibits the obligation of any appropriations for the PLO for the West Bank and Gaza unless the President has exercised certain authorities to suspend prohibitions on assistance to the PLO. (Sec. 556) Permits the President to provide a specified amount of commodities and services to the U.N. War Crimes Tribunal if doing so will contribute to a resolution of charges regarding genocide or other violations of international law in the former Yugoslavia. (Sec. 557) Authorizes the use of funds made available to DOD for crating, packing, handling, and transportation of nonlethal excess defense articles transferred to countries eligible to participate in the Partnership for Peace and to receive assistance under the Program of Support for East European Democracy (SEED). (Sec. 558) Authorizes demining equipment used in support of the clearing of landmines for humanitarian purposes to be disposed of on a grant basis in foreign countries. (Sec. 559) Requires the Comptroller General to report to the Committees on Appropriations on: (1) a review of the existing salaries and benefits of International Monetary Fund and World Bank employees; and (2) a review of all benefits paid to dependents of such employees. (Sec. 560) Prohibits the obligation of appropriations to create in Jerusalem a new U.S. agency office for the purpose of conducting U.S. business with the Palestinian Authority over Gaza and Jericho (or any successor Palestinian governing entity) provided for in the Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles. (Sec. 561) Prohibits certain funds appropriated for Informational Program activities from being obligated to pay for: (1) alcoholic beverages; (2) food (other than food provided at a military installation) not provided in conjunction with Program trips where students do not stay at a military installation: or (3) entertainment expenses. (Sec. 562) Prohibits the use of funds for assistance in support of any country that restricts transport or delivery of U.S. humanitarian assistance, except in the national security interest of the United States.
Bill· HRH.R. 1854 (104th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Congressional Operations Title II: Other Agencies Title III: General Provisions Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1996 - Title I: Congressional Operations - Congressional Operations Appropriations Act, 1996 - Appropriates funds for FY 1996 for the House of Representatives and for joint items between the House and the Senate. Makes FY 1996 appropriations for the: (1) Congressional Budget Office; (2) Architect of the Capitol; (3) Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress; and (4) Government Printing Office for congressional printing and binding. Title II: Other Agencies - Appropriates FY 1996 funds for the salaries and expenses of the: (1) Botanic Garden; (2) Library of Congress (with administrative limitations), including the Copyright Office and the Books for the Blind and Handicapped program; (3) Architect of the Capitol; (4) Government Printing Office; and (5) General Accounting Office. Title III: General Provisions - Prohibits any funds appropriated under this Act from being used for maintenance or care of private vehicles, except for emergencies. (Sec. 304) Limits the expenditure of any appropriation under this Act for consulting services to those contracts that are a matter of public record, except as provided under existing law or order. (Sec. 305) Expresses the sense of the Congress that, to the greatest extent possible, all equipment and products purchased with funds under this Act should be American-made. (Sec. 307) Prohibits the use of funds made available under this Act from being used for the relocation of the office of any House member within any House office building. (Sec. 308) Provides for the transfer of specified unexpended balances of appropriations to the Capitol Police to be used for the design and installation of security systems for the Capitol buildings and grounds. (Sec. 311) Transfers the administrative jurisdiction of the Botanic Garden, without reimbursement, to the Secretary of Agriculture.
Bill· HRH.R. 1864 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Supplementals and Rescissions Title II: General Provisions Title III: Deficit Reduction Second Supplemental Appropriations and Rescissions Act, 1995 - Title I: Supplementals and Rescissions - Rescinds appropriations made to the Department of Agriculture for the: (1) Agricultural Research Service; (2) Cooperative State Research Service; (3) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; (4) Rural Development Administration and Farmers Home Administration; (5) Rural Electrification Administration; (6) Foreign Agricultural Service; and (7) market promotion program. Transfers funds to the National Bankruptcy Review Commission from the Working Capital Fund in the Department of Justice. Rescinds appropriations made to the Department of Justice for: (1) juvenile justice delinquency prevention programs; (2) general administration; (3) legal activities; and (4) the Office of Justice Programs. Rescinds appropriations made to the Department of Commerce for the: (1) National Institute of Standards and Technology; (2) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; (3) National Technical Information Service; (4) Economic Development Administration; and (5) National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Rescinds appropriations made to the Judiciary for courts of appeals, district courts, and other judicial services. Rescinds appropriations made to the Small Business Administration for the business loans program account. Rescinds appropriations made to the Department of State for: (1) diplomatic and consular programs; (2) acquisition and maintenance of buildings abroad; and (3) contributions for international peacekeeping activities. Rescinds appropriations made for the: (1) Arms Control and Disarmament Agency; (2) Board for International Broadcasting; and (3) United States Information Agency. Rescinds Department of Defense appropriations made for: (1) nondefense-related research and development programs; and (2) operational support airlift. Rescinds appropriations made for the: (1) Department of the Army Corps of Engineers-Civil; (2) Department of the Interior for the Bureau of Reclamation; (3) Appalachian Regional Commission; and (4) Tennessee Valley Authority Fund. Rescinds appropriations made to the Department of Energy for: (1) energy supply, research and development activities; (2) atomic energy defense activities; (3) departmental administration; and (4) power marketing administrations. Restructures certain debt relief for Jordan. Rescinds appropriations made to the President for: (1) foreign operations, export financing, and related programs; (2) international financial institutions (International Monetary Fund); (3) the Agency for International Development; (4) peacekeeping operations; and (5) the Trade and Development Agency. Rescinds appropriations made to the Department of the Interior for: (1) the Bureau of Land Management; (2) the United States Fish and Wildlife Service; (3) the National Biological Survey; (4) the National Park Service; (5) the Minerals Management Service; (6) the Bureau of Indian Affairs; and (7) territorial and international affairs. Rescinds appropriations made to the: (1) Department of Agriculture for the Forest Service; (2) Department of Energy for fossil energy research and energy conservation; (3) Department of Education for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (Indian education); (4) Smithsonian Institution; (5) National Gallery of Art; (6) John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; (7) Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars; (8) National Foundation for the Arts and the Humanities (National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities). Rescinds appropriations made to the Department of Labor for the: (1) Employment and Training Administration; and (2) Bureau of Labor Statistics. Rescinds appropriations made to the Department of Health and Human Services for the: (1) Health Resources and Services Administration; (2) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; (3) National Institutes of Health; (4) Assistant Secretary for Health; (5) Agency for Health Care Policy and Research; (6) Health Care Financing Administration; (7) Administration for Children and Families; (8) Administration on Aging; and (9) Office of the Secretary. Rescinds appropriations made to the Department of Education for: (1) education reform; (2) education for the handicapped; (3) school improvement programs; (4) bilingual and immigrant education; (5) vocational and adult education; (6) student financial assistance; (7) higher education; (8) Howard University; (9) college housing and academic facilities loans; and (10) education research, statistics, and improvement. Rescinds appropriations made for: (1) the Corporation for Public Broadcasting; (2) the Railroad Retirement Board; and (3) certain Department of Labor compliance and enforcement activities. Appropriates funds for payments to widows and heirs of deceased Members of Congress. Rescinds Legislative Branch appropriations made for the: (1) Joint Economic Committee; and (2) Joint Committee on Printing; (3) Office of Technology Assessment; (4) Congressional Budget Office; (5) Architect of the Capitol; (6) Government Printing Office; (7) Botanic Garden; (8) Library of Congress for salaries and expenses and for Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped; (9) House and Senate committee staff salaries and administrative expenses; and (10) General Accounting Office. Rescinds appropriations made for: (1) North Atlantic Treaty Organization infrastructure; and (2) base realignment and closure account, parts II and III. Rescinds appropriations made to the Department of Transportation for the: (1) Office of the Secretary; and (2) Coast Guard. Rescinds appropriations made to the Federal Aviation Administration for: (1) operations; (2) facilities and equipment; (3) research and development; and (4) grants-in-aid for airports. Rescinds appropriations made to the Federal Highway Administration for: (1) operating expenses; and (2) Federal-aid highways. Rescinds appropriations made to the Federal Railroad Administration for the: (1) Office of the Administrator; (2) Northeast Corridor Improvement Program; and (3) National Magnetic Levitation Prototype Development Program. Rescinds appropriations made to the Federal Transit Administration for planning and research. Limits obligations for specified Highway Trust Fund projects. Appropriates funds for the Office of Personnel Management for Government payment for annuitants and employee life insurance benefits. Rescinds appropriations made to the Department of the Treasury for: (1) departmental offices; (2) the Financial Management Service; (3) the United States Mint; (3) the Bureau of the Public Debt; and (4) the Internal Revenue Service. Rescinds appropriations for the White House Office. Appropriates and rescinds funds for the drug control program special forfeiture fund. Rescinds appropriations made to the: (1) General Services Administration Federal Buildings Fund; (2) Office of Personnel Management. Appropriates funds for the: (1) Federal Emergency Management Agency; and (2) Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Rescinds appropriations made to the Department of Veterans Affairs for: (1) Veterans Health Administration; and (2) departmental administration. Rescinds appropriations made to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for specified housing programs. Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to authorize the reuse of recaptured budget authority from terminated section 8 contracts. Rescinds appropriations for the: (1) Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board; (2) Community Development Financial Institutions Fund; (3) Corporation for National and Community Service; (4) Environmental Protection Agency; (5) National Aeronautics and Space Administration; (6) National Science Foundation; and (7) Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Title II: General Provisions - Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to: (1) prepare and award salvage timber sale contracts on Federal lands (with specified exceptions); and (2) award and release previously offered and unawarded timber sales contracts. Expresses the sense of the Senate in favor of amending the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the ability of persons to avoid taxes by relinquishing their U.S. citizenship. Rescinds appropriations for Federal administrative and travel accounts. Title III: Deficit Reduction - Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to make specified downward adjustments in discretionary spending limits. Prohibits resultant savings from this Act from being used to offset specified deficit increases.
Bill· SS. 923 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1995
National Police Pursuit Policy Act of 1995 - Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation from approving the highway safety program of a State that does not have in effect: (1) a law that makes it unlawful for the driver of a motor vehicle to increase speed or to take any other deliberately evasive action if a law enforcement officer clearly signals the driver to stop the motor vehicle and that subjects any driver who violates that law to a minimum penalty of three months' imprisonment and seizure of the motor vehicle; and (2) a requirement that each State and local agency that employs law enforcement officers who may conduct a motor vehicle pursuit have a policy that meets guidelines set by the Secretary, train all law enforcement officers in accordance with that policy, and submit to the chief executive officer of the State a report containing information regarding each motor vehicle pursuit. Requires the U.S. Attorney General, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Chief of the Capitol Police, and the Administrator of General Services to report to the Congress on each such entity's motor vehicle pursuit policy and the procedures used to train law enforcement officers to implement that policy. Requires each such policy to meet the policy requirements of State programs under this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 1834 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1995
Safety and Health Improvement and Regulatory Reform Act of 1995 - Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) to revise provisions for OSHA standards. Requires promulgation and modification of such standards to be based of certain analyses and criteria, including a specified type of regulatory impact analysis, as well as a risk assessment and a cost-benefit analysis which are industry-specific. (Sec. 2) Repeals provisions for separate rules for toxic materials or harmful physical agents. Deems a variance to have been issued as of the date the application for it was filed,if the Secretary has failed to approve or disapprove such application within 90 days of such filing (unless the Secretary of Labor and the applicant agree to a longer period). Sets forth requirements relating to such regulatory impact analyses (both a preliminary and a final one), risk assessments, and cost-benefit analyses. Directs the Secretary, within seven years of the effective date of this Act, to review each OSHA standard in effect as of such effective date under specified criteria, and to modify or revoke such standards as appropriate. Allows each person affected by a promulgated OSHA standard to petition the Secretary to modify or revoke such standard pursuant to this review process. Sets forth substantive and procedural requirements relating to such provisions. Repeals the mandate that, in determining the priority for establishing OSHA standards, the Secretary give due regard to: (1) the urgency of the need for such standards for particular industries, trades, crafts, occupations, businesses, workplaces, or work environments; and (2) the recommendations of the Secretary of Health and Human Services regarding such need. Directs the Secretary, upon determining that a rule should be promulgated or modified to serve OSHA objectives, to appoint an independent and external peer review panel to review the scientific and economic data which forms the basis for such standard and such data's relevance to industries and workers that would be affected by it. (Sec. 3) Revises provisions for notices of violations and citations. Directs the Secretary to give notices of violations, with specified periods for abatement (at least 30 days, except that a reasonable shorter period may be ordered if the condition constitutes a direct threat to employees). Authorizes the Secretary to issue citations after a follow-up inspection if the violation remains and the abatement period has expired. Provides that such notice of a violation before issuance of a citation shall not be required in cases of alleged violations causing death or serious injury, or constituting an imminent danger, to an employee. (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary to establish an office to promote, administer, and coordinate the following worksite-based incentives programs and activities. Exempts from general OSHA inspections workplaces which: (1) the employer certifies have been reviewed under a Federal-State consultation services program or a workplace review provided by a certified person; or (2) the Secretary chooses to certify as having significant involvement of their employees in their safety and health program. Directs the Secretary to establish programs to: (1) certify persons to conduct such reviews; (2) give special recognition (including exemption from random OSHA inspections) to worksites, companies, and other organizations which have implemented particularly effective programs addressing occupational safety and health in the workplace; and (3) provide education, training, and technical assistance to employers and employees in providing safe and healthful workplaces and complying with OSHA requirements. Reserves at least one-half of the annual appropriation under OSHA for such worksite-based incentives programs, effective in the first fiscal year beginning three years after the effective date of this Act. (Sec. 5) Makes certain restrictions under the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act inapplicable to employee participation on certain committees, teams, or other arrangements dealing with employers concerning health and safety of working conditions or related matters. (Sec. 6) Revises provisions for inspections. Revises provisions relating to employee requests for inspections to: (1) eliminate such requests by employee representatives; and (2) make a special inspection discretionary rather than mandatory, while having the Secretary make an inquiry with the employer, upon determination that there are reasonable grounds that the alleged violation or danger exists and that the employer has failed to correct it. Requires that certain inspections be conducted by at least one individual who has technical expertise by training or experience in the industry or types of hazards being inspected. Directs the Secretary to: (1) enter into agreements with other Federal agencies and with States to train inspection personnel of agencies which inspect employers to inspect places of employment to determine if employee fire protection is adequate; and (2) establish a system for referral of fire hazards to the Secretary after notification to the employer, if the employer fails to take corrective actions. Prohibits the Secretary from conducting routine inspections of (or enforcing any OSHA standard, rule, regulation, or order with respect to): (1) any person engaged in a farming operation that does not maintain a temporary labor camp and is employing ten or fewer employees; and (2) any employer of not more than 50 employees that has an occupational injury or a lost work day rate less than the national average. Sets forth certain exceptions from such exemption. (Sec. 7) Adds employer defenses of employee misconduct, or alternative safe methods, or other inconsistent or conflicting requirements. (Sec. 8) Revises OSHA penalties. Eliminates provisions relating to willful and repeated violations. Directs the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission to: (1) assess all civil penalties, giving due consideration to their appropriateness with respect to specified factors; and (2) not assess a penalty greater than that proposed by the Secretary. Allows reduction of a civil penalty by the cost to the employer of correcting the violation. Authorizes the Secretary to propose that a special assessment penalty of up to ten times greater be applied in the circumstances of employee fatalities, or an excessive history of serious injuries to employees, caused by violations of certain OSHA standards. Prohibits penalties where no standard or regulation exists. Provides for jurisdiction for prosecution under State and local criminal laws. (Sec. 9) Revises enforcement procedures with respect to Commission review of the Secretary's citations or proposed penalties for employers. Revises judicial review provisions to require upholding, if reasonable, of the Commission's conclusions of law with respect to the construction of OSHA, or regulations, rules, standards, or orders adopted under OSHA. Increases Commission membership from three to five, and quorums from two to three members. Requires at least one Commission member to have expertise or experience in mining. Revises provisions for Commission hearings and records to provide that, if the parties so agree, there shall not be required any formal proceedings, including requests for production of documents or requests for admissions, interrogatories, or depositions. (Sec. 10) Repeals OSHA provisions for: (1) the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), thus abolishing it; (2) NIOSH research and related activities; and (3) NIOSH training and employee education activities. (Sec. 11) Repeals OSHA provisions relating to the already terminated National Commission on State Workmen's Compensation Laws. (Sec. 12) Revises OSHA conditions for approval of State plans. Makes certain conditions inapplicable if the State has adopted alternative performance measures to assure that its program is at least as effective as the Federal program in assuring safe and healthful employment and places of employment. (Sec. 13) Revises procedures for discrimination protection for whistle-blowers under OSHA. (Sec. 14) Provides for OSHA coverage of Federal agencies. (Sec. 15) Repeals provisions for separate occupational safety and health programs for Federal agencies. (Sec. 16) Authorizes employers to establish alcohol and substance abuse testing programs where there is a reasonable probability that any employee's safety or health could be endangered because of use of alcohol or a controlled substance in the workplace. Requires such programs to conform to specified Federal guidelines. Allows employer pre-employment testing for alcohol or substance abuse under specified circumstances. Authorizes the Secretary to test employees for use of alcohol or controlled substances during any investigation of a work-related fatality or serious injury. (Sec. 17) Repeals titles I, II, III, and V of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (FMSHA). Transfers the functions, responsibilities, and authorities of: (1) the Mine Safety and Health Administration to the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health; and (2) the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission to the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Deems FMSHA standards to have been promulgated under OSHA. Prohibits the Secretary from enforcing any other standards promulgated prior to the effective date of this Act, with respect to activities, conditions, or processes which were subject to FMSHA. Repeals specified parts of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Prohibits requirements of a specified part of CFR from being enforced with respect to any sand, gravel, surface stone, surface clay, colloidal phosphate, or surface limestone mine. Establishes OSHA requirements for mine safety inspections, enforcement orders, and penalties. Requires the National Mine Health and Safety Academy to be: (1) maintained as an agency of the Department of Labor; and (2) responsible for training of mine safety and health inspectors and technical support personnel, and for any other training programs for mine inspectors, mining personnel, or other personnel designated by the Secretary. (Sec. 18) Revises specified OSHA provisions for recordkeeping, reporting, and statistics. (Sec. 19) Adds definitions of the terms "serious injury" and "industry." (Sec. 20) Directs the Secretary to: (1) report annually to the Congress regarding activities under OSHA, including recommendations to avoid unnecessary duplication and to achieve coordination with other Federal laws; and (2) provide for a means for certification of equipment safety, to be conducted by nongovernmental agencies, unless such agencies with professional or technical personnel or materials and equipment are not available.
Bill· HRH.R. 1846 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1995
Establishes the Yellowstone Headwaters National Recreation Area within the Gallatin and Custer National Forests in Montana. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) administer the Area in accordance with this Act and with the provisions of law generally applicable to national forest system units; (2) develop a management plan for the Area to reflect its establishment and to conform to this Act; and (3) acquire lands or interests in lands within the Area's boundaries that are necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. Withdraws such lands from U.S. mining laws, mineral and geothermal leasing laws, and from disposal of mineral materials under the Materials Act of 1947. Prohibits: (1) a patent from being issued after June 14, 1995, for any location or claim made in the Area under U.S. mining laws; (2) Federal lands from being used in connection with any mining or mining-related activity within the Area; and (3) such activities involving any surface disturbance of lands or waters within such Area, except in accordance with requirements imposed by the Secretary. Requires: (1) the Secretary to complete an expedited program to examine all unpatented mining claims within the Area; and (2) if the Secretary of the Interior determines that a claim is invalid, to declare it to be null and void. Prohibits a Federal department or agency from issuing authorizations to persons for mining or mining-related activities within the Area until the Secretary has determined that previous mining related environmental damage that has occurred on lands owned or used by such person or any person who controls, is controlled by, or under common control with, such person has been remediated in accordance with applicable Federal and State requirements. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 1815 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Atmospheric, Weather, and Satellite Programs Title II: Marine Research Title III: Program Support Title IV: Streamlining of Operations Title V: Miscellaneous National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Authorization Act of 1995 - Title I: Atmospheric, Weather, and Satellite Programs - Authorizes appropriations for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for: (1) National Weather Service (NWS) operations and research and public warning and forecast; (2) construction, repair, and modification regarding new and existing weather forecast offices; (3) climate and air quality research; (4) atmospheric research; (5) the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) program; (6) satellite observing systems; (7) environmental data and information services. Repeals provisions of the Weather Service Modernization Act relating to: (1) restructuring of NWS field offices; (2) a Weather Service Modernization Transition Committee; and (3) a requirement, in developing a National Implementation Plan, to consult with that Committee and with public entities responsible for providing or using weather services. Title II: Marine Research - Authorizes appropriations for NOAA for: (1) mapping and charting; (2) geodesy; (3) observation and prediction; (4) the Circulatory Survey Program; (5) ocean and earth science; (6) estuarine and coastal assessment; (7) the National Status and Trends Program, the Strategic Environmental Assessment Program, and the Hazardous Materials Response Program; (8) the Damage Assessment Program; and (9) the Coastal Ocean Program. (Sec. 202) Authorizes appropriations for NOAA for marine prediction research. Amends the National Sea Grant College Program Act to authorize appropriations to carry out provisions relating to: (1) program or project grants and contracts; (2) fellowships; and (3) administration of the National Sea Grant College Program. Revises the definition of "field related to ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources." Title III: Program Support - Authorizes appropriations for NOAA for: (1) executive direction and administrative activities; (2) central administrative support; and (3) retired pay. Authorizes contracts for data or days-at-sea to fulfill NOAA missions of marine research, climate research, fisheries research, and mapping and charting services. Authorizes appropriations for NOAA for: (1) marine services; (2) aircraft services; and (3) facilities repairs and renovations. Title IV: Streamlining of Operations - Prohibits appropriating funds for 19 specified programs, centers, and activities, including: (1) the National Undersea Research Program; (2) the Fleet Modernization, Shipbuilding, and Construction Account; (3) the Agriculture and Fruit Frost Program; and (4) Regional Climate Centers. Mandates a report to specified congressional committees certifying that all 19 will be terminated by a specified date. Repeals provisions of: (1) the National Sea Grant College Program Act relating to marine policy fellowships; and (2) the Sea Grant Program Improvement Act of 1976 relating to the sea grant international program. Repeals the NOAA Fleet Modernization Act. (Sec. 402) Declares that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, no funds are authorized to be appropriated for any fiscal year after FY 1996 for carrying out programs for which funds are authorized by this Act. Limits the total dollar amounts: (1) authorized to be appropriated for FY 1996 by this or any other Act for NOAA for all activities associated with operations, research, and facilities; and (2) authorized to be used for NOAA travel and related expenses. (Sec. 403) Limits the number of commissioned officers on the active list of NOAA and decreases that limit in succeeding fiscal years, reaching zero after FY 1998. Authorizes related separations without separation pay. Title V: Miscellaneous - Makes it unlawful for any unauthorized person to remove, move, damage, or interfere with any National Data Buoy Center weather data buoy. Provides for civil monetary penalties and rewards. (Sec. 502) Makes the Secretary of Commerce, through the NWS, responsible for: (1) forecasts, serving as the sole official source of weather warnings; (2) issuance of storm warnings; (3) collection, exchange, and distribution of meteorological, hydrological, climatic, and oceanographic data and information; and (4) preparation of hydrometeorological guidance and core forecast information. Prohibits the NWS from competing (or assisting other entities in competing) with the private sector when a service is or can be provided by commercial enterprise unless the private sector is unwilling or unable to provide the service and the service provides vital weather warnings and forecasts for the protection of lives and property of the general public. Removes existing provisions relating to the duties of the Secretary regarding weather forecasting. Modifies provisions relating to NWS appropriations and estimates. Mandates a report to specified congressional committees detailing all NWS activities not conforming to this paragraph and outlining a timetable for their termination. (Sec. 503) Provides for the disposition of all amounts received relating to the allision of the vessel Zachery into the NOAA vessel Discoverer.
Bill· SS. 907 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1995
Amends the National Forest Ski Area Permit Act of 1986 to establish a National Forest System ski area permit fee formula. Withdraws ski areas from the operation of mining and mineral leasing laws.
Bill· SS. 904 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Food Stamp Program Title II: Child Nutrition Programs Subtitle A: Reimbursement Rates Subtitle B: Grant Programs Subtitle C: Other Amendments Title III: Reauthorization Nutrition Assistance Reform Act of 1995 - Title I: Food Stamp Program - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (Act) to establish a maximum 24-month food stamp program (program) authorization period. (Sec. 103) Authorizes States to establish additional criteria for separate household determinations. (Sec. 104) Revises thrifty food plan adjustment requirements. (Sec. 105) Revises the definition of "homeless individual" to limit the length of time a person may temporarily live in another person's residence. (Sec. 106) Revises household income exclusion provisions regarding: (1) students; and (2) Federal energy assistance. (Sec. 108) Revises household income deduction provisions regarding: (1) standard deductions; (2) earned income; (3) dependent care; (4) child support payments; (5) homeless shelter assistance; (6) excess medical expenses; and (7) excess shelter expenses. (Sec. 109) Eliminates specified excludable auto value increases. (Sec. 110) Revises the scope of sponsor-attributed income and resources regarding alien program eligibility. (Sec. 111) Revises work requirement and employment and training provisions. Extends employment and training funding authorizations. (Sec. 114) Authorizes comparable program disqualification based upon welfare or public assistance disqualification. (Sec. 115) Requires at State option: (1) cooperation with child support agencies in order to maintain program eligibility; and (2) program disqualification for child support arrears. (Sec. 117) Disqualifies permanently an individual who participates in the program in two or more States. (Sec. 118) Defines "work program." (Sec. 120) Eliminates annual minimum allotment adjustments. (Sec. 122) Authorizes a combined allotment for expedited households. (Sec. 123) Authorizes program reductions for failure to comply with a public assistance reduction requirement. (Sec. 124) Authorizes program assistance for households residing in a homeless shelter or drug or alcohol treatment center. (Sec. 125) Revises: (1) food stamp office operating provisions; and (2) expedited coupon service requirements. (Sec. 126) Eliminates certain certification personnel training requirements. (Sec. 128) Authorizes a family to withdraw a fair hearing request. (Sec. 129) Permits States to use income and eligibility verification systems other than the system used in part A (General Provisions) of title XI (General Provisions and Peer Review) of the Social Security Act. (Sec. 130) Directs program overissuances to be collected by: (1) allotment reduction; (2) unemployment compensation withholding; or (3) Federal pay or Federal income tax refund recovery. (Sec. 131) Terminates Federal matching requirements for program informational activities. (Sec. 133) Authorizes States to use funds otherwise available to a participating household for a work supplementation or support program. Sets forth program provisions. (Sec. 134) Authorizes waiver of program requirements as necessary to conduct related pilot projects. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 137) Authorizes States to carry out private sector employment initiatives. Sets forth program provisions. (Sec. 138) Authorizes appropriations for: (1) program operations; and (2) Puerto Rico block grants. (Sec. 140) Authorizes States to carry out a Simplified Food Stamp Program in lieu of existing program requirements. Sets forth Program provisions. Title II: Child Nutrition Programs - Subtitle A: Reimbursement Rates - Amends the National School Lunch Act to terminate the additional lunch payment for schools with high percentages of free or reduced price lunches. (Sec. 202) Revises annual adjustment provisions for: (1) value of food assistance; and (2) lunches, breakfasts, and supplements. (Sec. 204) Revises service institution payment provisions for the summer food service program for children. (Sec. 205) Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to revise annual adjustment provisions for: (1) the special milk program; and (2) the school breakfast program. Subtitle B: Grant Programs - Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to: (1) terminate school breakfast startup grants; and (2) reduce annual authorizations of appropriations for nutrition education and training programs. Subtitle C: Other Amendments - Amends the National School Lunch Act to revise provisions regarding day care home reimbursements. Obligates funds for family or group day care homes assistance. Title III: Reauthorization - Amends the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 to authorize appropriations for the commodity distribution program. (Sec. 302) Amends the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to extend and authorize appropriations for the emergency food assistance program. (Sec. 303) Amends the Hunger Prevention Act of 1988 to authorize appropriations for the soup kitchens program. (Sec. 304) Amends the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to extend authority for reprocessing of agricultural commodities into food products.
Bill· SS. 897 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1995
National Kiwifruit Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Act - Provides for a program of kiwifruit promotion, research, and consumer information. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to issue such an order, which shall include the establishment of a National Kiwifruit Board. Authorizes appropriations.
Law· HRH.R. 1787 (104th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1995
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to repeal the saccharin notice requirement for products that contain saccharin that are not for immediate consumption.
Bill· HRH.R. 1808 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1995
Milk Marketing Order Reform Act of 1995 - Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act, reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, to: (1) repeal current minimum fluid milk price adjustments; and (2) establish a regional milk pricing system.
Bill· HRH.R. 1771 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1995
Pesticide Safety and Right-to-Know Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem a food misbranded if its label does not contain the following notice when such pesticides have been applied: "Pesticides Containing Known or Probable Human Carcinogens Have Been Applied to This Food." Prohibits the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from prescribing a tolerance for a pesticide chemical in or on raw agricultural commodities if the tolerance is reasonably anticipated to cause: (1) serious adverse health effects in any child; or (2) breast cancer or serious reproductive disorders in any person.
Bill· HRH.R. 1756 (104th)reported
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Abolishment of Department of Commerce Title II: Disposition of Particular Programs, Functions, and Agencies of Department of Commerce Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions Department of Commerce Dismantling Act - Title I: Abolishment of Department of Commerce - Replaces the Department of Commerce (DOC) with the Commerce Programs Resolution Agency (CPRA), which is limited to three years to wind up and terminate the functions and obligations of the DOC before the CPRA itself is abolished. Directs the Comptroller General to report on the most efficient means of abolishing the DOC, and transferring or terminating its functions. Title II: Disposition of Particular Programs, Functions, and Agencies of Department of Commerce - Repeals the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 and transfers all financial obligations, liabilities, and related rights owned by DOC under such Act to the Department of the Treasury. Requires an audit by the Comptroller General of all DOC grants made under such Act in FY 1995. (Sec. 202) Transfers all export control functions of the DOC under the Export Administration Act of 1979 to the Secretary of State, the President, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Attorney General. Authorizes transfer of a limited number of specified DOC special agents to the Customs Service. Abolishes the Office of Foreign Availability and the Office of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration, and provides for the appointment of an Industries Board to advise the Secretary of State. (Sec. 203) Transfers specified national security functions: (1) granted by the Trade Expansion Act to the International Trade Commission (ITC); and (2) granted by the Defense Production Act to the Secretaries of Defense and of the Treasury. Directs the President to appoint committees of industry representatives to advise the National Security Council. (Sec. 204) Transfers to the United States Trade Representative (USTR) the functions of the DOC's International Trade Administration, and powers granted by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. Amends the Foreign Trade Zones Act to make the Secretary of the Treasury chairman and executive officer of the Foreign Trade Zones Board. Renames the United States and Foreign Commercial Service the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service (Commercial Service), abolishes specified functions, and transfers it to the USTR. Conveys all export promotion functions of the DOC to the USTR, authorizing the USTR to require private entities to pay for promotion services. Transfers the authority to collect and evaluate information on international investment and trade services to the Secretary of the Treasury. Abolishes the international economic policy analysis functions of the DOC. Terminates the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA), and divides CITA's tasks among the USTR, the ITC, the Commercial Service, and the Secretary of the Treasury. Transfers all DOC functions under the Fair Trade in Auto Parts Act of 1988 to the ITC. Requires the appointment of industry boards to advise the Secretary of the Treasury and the USTR regarding their new powers. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to repeal authorities for trade adjustment assistance to firms injured by import competition. (Sec. 205) Transfers the Patent and Trademark Office to the Department of Justice, and requires that the activities of that Office be funded solely by fees. (Sec. 206) Terminates the Technology Administration and the Office of Technology Policy. Transfers the National Institute of Standards and Technology to the National Science Foundation, and transfers its laboratories to the CPRA to be sold. Eliminates funding for, and requires the sale of assets of, the National Technical Information Service. (Sec. 207) Transfers the Bureau of the Census to the Department of the Treasury. Expresses the sense of the Congress that such Bureau should: (1) implement the Census Address List Improvement Act of 1994 in a timely fashion; and (2) streamline census questionnaires to promote savings in the collection and tabulation of data. (Sec. 208) Transfers the Bureau of Economic Analysis to the Federal Reserve System, requiring the director of that Bureau to report to the Congress on: (1) the availability of private resources capable of handling a portion or all of the Bureau's assigned tasks; and (2) the feasibility of a fee system to defray costs. (Sec. 209) Terminates assistance to: (1) public telecommunications; (2) educational television programs; and (3) telecommunications demonstrations. Repeals establishment of the National Endowment for Children's Educational Television (thus abolishing it). (Sec. 210) Transfers specified functions under the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act to the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. (Sec. 211) Terminates: (1) funding of specified fishery assistance programs; (2) the fisheries trade promotion program; (3) the authority to guarantee obligations for fishing vessels and facilities; (4) future compensation for damage, loss, or destruction of fishing vessels or fishing gear; and (5) funding of specified Federal fishery research projects. Eliminates the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Corps and the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, and conveys specified functions of both to the National Weather Service. Transfers the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information System Data Centers in part to the CPRA to be sold, and in part to the National Weather Service. Terminates certain functions of the National Weather Service, and transfers it to the Department of the Interior. Reallocates specified functions of the National Marine Fisheries Services to the Secretary of Transportation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Secretary of Agriculture. Conveys specified functions of the National Ocean Service to the United States Geological Survey and the Secretary of the Interior. Transfers certain NOAA environmental research laboratories to the CPRA to be sold. (Sec. 212) Abolishes the following DOC agencies and programs: (1) Economic Development Administration; (2) Minority Business Development Administration; (3) United States Travel and Tourism Administration; (4) National Telecommunications and Information Administration; (5) Advanced Technology Program; and (6) Manufacturing Extension Programs. (Sec. 214) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the head of each agency performing a function vested by this Act should, wherever feasible, explore and implement user fees for services provided in the performance of such function, to offset operating costs. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Limits annual expenditures for any function not terminated by this Act to 75 percent of FY 1994 expenditures for the performance of such function.
Bill· HRH.R. 1749 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1995
Market Promotion Program Elimination Act of 1995 - Amends the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to repeal the market promotion program.
Bill· HRH.R. 1748 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1995
Tax Fairness for Farmers, Ranchers, and Small Businesses Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a limited, one-time exclusion from gross income of up to $500,000 ($250,000 in a separate return of a married individual) of the gain from a single sale or exchange to a qualified buyer of qualified property. Defines "qualified property" as property that has been used by a seller over 55 years of age, or a family member, in farming or in a closely held business throughout the ten year period ending on the sale or exchange date. Defines "qualified buyer" as a buyer who is a lineal descendant of the seller, or a beginning farmer or rancher. Requires the seller to pay recapture taxes if within ten years after the sale or exchange the property is no longer used for the same farming or business purpose, unless the buyer is bankrupt or the initial income exclusion failed to reduce the seller's net tax. Increases from 30 percent to 100 percent the deduction for health insurance costs of self-employed individuals. Allows the carryover of unused personal exemptions and standard deductions for an individual whose income for the previous three years is at least 50 percent derived from engaging in continuous and substantial farming. Eliminates the possession tax credit granted income from sources within one of the U.S. territorial possessions. Alters the tax liability of a U.S. citizen who relinquishes his or her citizenship by considering certain property held at the time of relinquishment as sold at fair market value in order to tax any gain on that property. Requires that this additional taxed income: (1) be offset by a $600,000 exclusion from gross income; and (2) not include the value of U.S. real property (other than stock of a U.S. real property holding corporation), or any interest in certain specified domestic or (up to $500,000) foreign retirement and pension plans.
Bill· SS. 867 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1995
National Family Enterprise Preservation Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the unified estate and gift tax credit by creating: (1) an additional estate tax credit measured by the value of inherited family enterprise property (up to $121,800); (2) an additional gift tax credit equal to the value of gifts of family enterprise property (up to $121,800) minus the sum value of such tax credits for preceding calendar periods; and (3) an additional gift tax exclusion equal to the value of gifts of family enterprise property (up to $10,000). Includes in a decedent's estate the value of family enterprise property, reduced by 50 percent or by $1 million, whichever is less. Defines family enterprise property as an interest in real or personal property used for farming, business, or any other trade that is at least 80 percent owned by either: (1) five or fewer individuals who have not formed a limited partnership; or (2) members of the same family. Imposes an additional estate tax on a taxpayer who: (1) inherits family enterprise property; (2) qualifies for an estate tax credit; and (3) disposes of that property within ten years of the decedent's death, and before the death of another individual with an interest in the property. Defines the additional estate tax as past estate tax liability attributable to the taxpayer for interest in the family enterprise property (for which he received an estate tax credit) reduced by five percent for every year after the decedent's death that the taxpayer participated in the management of the family enterprise property. Increases from $750,000 to $1 million the amount of aggregate reduction permitted in the fair market value of certain farm, etc. real property taken into account for determining the gross estate.
Bill· SS. 851 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1995
Wetlands Regulatory Reform Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish a procedure whereby a person who holds an ownership interest in property, or who has written authorization from such a person, may request the Secretary of the Army to determine whether the property contains U.S. waters, and if so, whether any portion of the waters is wetland and its classification. Directs the Secretary to establish a program under which persons other than Federal employees may be certified to make such determinations. Prohibits the discharge of dredged or fill material into U.S. waters or the draining, channelization, and excavation of U.S. waters that would significantly degrade any U.S. waters unless such activity is undertaken pursuant to a permit issued by the Secretary. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) extensions; and (2) failure by the Secretary to issue a decision. Requires the Secretary to: (1) issue regulations which shall include standards for the issuance of permits for activities in U.S. waters that are wetland; and (2) consult with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency regarding whether such an activity would have an unacceptable adverse impact on water quality, municipal water supplies, shellfish beds or fishery areas, or wetland-dependent wildlife. Exempts an activity in U.S. waters from the permit requirement if the activity results from a normal farming, silviculture, aquaculture, or ranching activity, or an upland soil and water conservation practice, or is for the purpose of maintenance, and under other specified circumstances. Specifies that such an activity shall not be prohibited or otherwise subject to the permit requirement regarding an approved State permit program if: (1) information on the effects of the activity is included in an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the project; and (2) such EIS has been submitted to the Congress before the activity is carried out in connection with project construction and prior to project authorization or appropriation of funds for the construction. Directs the Secretary, after notice and opportunity for public comment, to issue regulations for the delineation of "wetland." Requires such regulations to provide for such designation if specified conditions are met, including that, in the case of nontidal wetland, water is on or above the surface of the ground for at least 21 consecutive days during the growing season in a year of normal rainfall. Requires the Secretary to classify as: (1) Class A wetlands those that are of critical significance to the long-term conservation of the aquatic system and that meet other specified conditions; (2) Class B wetlands those that provide habitat for a significant population of wildlife or provide other significant wetland functions; and (3) Class C wetlands those that serve marginal functions but exist in such abundance that regulation is not necessary to conserve wetlands functions, are within an intensely developed area, or are located behind a legally constructed manmade structure or natural formation. Provides for the regulation of: (1) Class A wetland based on a sequential analysis that seeks to avoid adverse impacts on wetlands, to minimize the adverse impacts which cannot be avoided, and to mitigate any adverse impacts that cannot be avoided or minimized; (2) Class B wetland under a test that balances the reasonably foreseeable benefits and detriments resulting from the issuance of the permit; and (3) Class C wetland only by the State government at its discretion. Authorizes the Secretary to issue a general permit on a State, regional, or nationwide basis for any activities in U.S. waters for which a permit would otherwise be required upon determining that the activities will cause only minimal or temporary adverse environmental impacts when performed separately, and will cause only minimal cumulative adverse environmental impacts. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) Alaska native and State of Alaska lands; (2) interagency cooperation; (3) permit compliance; (4) cranberry production; (5) violations (including civil actions by the Secretary and civil and criminal penalties); and (6) administrative appeals. Directs the Secretary to: (1) issue regulations for the establishment, use, maintenance, and oversight of mitigation banks; (2) provide appropriate regulatory relief regarding regulations issued for each activity in U.S. waters that has as the primary purpose to restore degraded wetland; and (3) establish a registry of wetland that has been created or restored voluntarily in an area that, prior to the creation or restoration, did not contain U.S. waters and therefore was not subject to regulation. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) State permit programs; (2) requirements that information be made available to the public regarding the designation of wetlands; (3) certification requirements; (4) State authority to control activities in U.S. waters; (5) balanced implementation of the Act to achieve specified objectives; and (6) transition provisions.
Bill· SS. 854 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1995
Agricultural Resources Conservation Act of 1995 - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to revise and extend the environmental conservation acreage reserve program, which shall consist of: (1) the conservation reserve program; (2) the wetlands reserve program; and (3) the environmental quality incentives program (authorized by this Act). Establishes an environmental quality incentives program which shall combine the functions of: (1) the agricultural conservation program; (2) the Great Plains conservation program; (3) the water quality incentives program; and (4) the Colorado River Basin salinity control program.
Bill· HRH.R. 1719 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1995
Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to prohibit specified farm program payments to persons with an annual adjusted gross income of $100,000 or more from off-farm sources.
Bill· HRH.R. 1716 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1995
Forest Service Employment Opportunity Act of 1995 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to assure that Forest Service operations are free of racial, sexual, and ethnic discrimination.
Bill· HRH.R. 1697 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1995
Permits landing of aircraft to continue at Red's Horse Ranch in Eagle Cap Wilderness, Oregon, subject to such restrictions as the Secretary of Agriculture deems desirable. Allows commercial services at the Ranch to the extent necessary for activities which are proper for realizing the recreational or other wilderness purposes of the Eagle Cap Wilderness under the Wilderness Act.
Bill· SS. 847 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1995
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 and the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to terminate sugarcane and sugar beet price support, marketing quota, and acreage allotment programs. Makes related amendments to the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act and the Food Security Act of 1985.
Bill· SS. 843 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1995
Food Stamp Flexibility Act of 1995 - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to restructure the existing food stamp program as a block grant program with a State mandate for work by beneficiaries.
Bill· HRH.R. 1687 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1995
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 and the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to terminate sugarcane and sugar beet price support, marketing quota, and acreage allotment programs. Makes related amendments to the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act and the Food Security Act of 1985.
Bill· SS. 840 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Transitional Aid Program Title II: Work and Gainful Employment (Wage) Program Title III: Working Parents Child Care Block Grant Title IV: Child Support Responsibility Subtitle A: Improvements to the Child Support Collection System Subtitle B: Child Support Enforcement and Assurance Demonstrations Subtitle C: Demonstration Projects to Provide Services to Certain Noncustodial Parents Subtitle D: Severability Title V: Transitional Medicaid Title VI: Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Title VII: Children's Eligibility for Supplemental Security Income Title VIII: Financing and Food Assistance Reform Subtitle A: Treatment of Aliens Subtitle B: Revenue Provision Subtitle C: Food Assistance Provisions Subtitle D: Supplemental Security Income Title IX: Legislative Proposals; Effective Date Work and Gainful Employment Act - Title I: Transitional Aid Program - Amends title IV part A (Aid to Families With Dependent Children) (AFDC) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to repeal the current AFDC program and replace it with a program of transitional aid to families with needy children to: (1) enhance the well-being of such children; and (2) enable their parents to obtain and retain work and become self-sufficient. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 101) Prescribes requirements for State transitional aid program plans, including requirements that parents or caretaker relatives enter into a Parental Responsibility Agreement (as well as a WAGE Plan if participating in the WAGE program). Makes qualified aliens eligible for such State programs, except temporarily certain newly legalized aliens. Sets forth guidelines for payments to States, including payment stoppage for substantial noncompliance with plan requirements. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to submit recommendations to the Congress to streamline the system for: (1) monitoring the accuracy of transitional aid payments to families; and (2) transforming the transitional aid program into a system that measures a State's performance in moving aid recipients into permanent employment. Deems the income and resources of a sponsor and spouse to be the unearned income and resources of an alien, unless the alien is a needy child and the sponsor is the child's parent. Authorizes a State to elect to establish a fraud control program operated according to specified guidelines. Declares that an Assistant Secretary for Family Support within HHS shall administer the transitional aid, child support and paternity establishment, and Work and Gainful Employment (WAGE) programs. Title II: Work and Gainful Employment (WAGE) Program - Amends part F (Job Opportunities and Basic Skills) (JOBS) of SSA title IV to replace the current JOBS program with a Work and Gainful Employment (WAGE) program. (Sec. 201) Entitles each State operating a WAGE program to a block grant for each fiscal year, including a performance award equal to the sum of the full-time and part-time employment savings of the State, determined according to specified formulae. Prescribes participation rate percentages a State must meet each fiscal year between FY 1996 and 2000 in order to avoid a five percent reduction of its base Federal payment. Prescribes requirements for flexible State WAGE programs, including a priority for private sector job creation. Requires the State agency to develop, together with the individual participant, a WAGE plan: (1) setting forth an employment goal; (2) requiring that the participant spend at least 20 hours per week in certain activities, including job search and mandatory acceptance of any bona fide offer of unsubsidized full-time employment; (3) specifying educational obligations; (4) describing State-provided child care services and assistance; and (5) providing, at State option, for conditioning transitional aid on the number of hours spent on job-related activities, and for requiring participants to undergo substance abuse treatment. Applies special requirements to WAGE programs for Indian tribes and Alaska Native organizations. Title III: Working Parents Child Care Block Grant - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to authorize appropriations for child care and development block grants to States. Changes from discretionary to mandatory the Secretary's authority to make such grants. Requires set-aside of at least 50 percent of a State's grant funds to carry out child care activities to support low- income working families residing in the State. Sets forth a matching formula for non-Federal contributions to a State's program. (Sec. 302) Directs the Secretary to establish a child care quality enhancement bonus to States demonstrating progress in the implementation of innovative teacher training programs or enhanced child care quality standards and licensing and monitoring procedures. Revises reserve requirements with respect to Territories and possessions and Indian tribes as well as State allotments. Title IV: Child Support Responsibility - Child Support Responsibility Act of 1995 - Subtitle A: Improvements to the Child Support Collection System - Part I: Eligibility and Other Matters Concerning Title IV-D Program Clients - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of SSA title IV to require States to adopt procedures under which: (1) every child support order established or modified on or after October 1, 1998, is recorded on a central case registry; and (2) child support payments are collected through a centralized collections unit. (Sec. 401) Repeals certain paternity establishment requirements with respect to State plans for child and spousal support. Requires services under a State plan to be made available to nonresidents on the same terms as to residents. (Sec. 402) Revises requirements for the distribution of support payments through the State child support enforcement agency. (Sec. 403) Requires States to provide child support service applicants and recipients with: (1) notice of all proceedings in which support obligations might be established or modified; and (2) access to a fair hearing or other formal complaint procedure. Declares that a State may not provide a noncustodial parent with representation relating to support order establishment or modification unless it makes provision outside the State agency. (Sec. 404) Requires States to establish privacy safeguards against: (1) unauthorized disclosure of information on paternity or support proceedings; and (2) release of information on the whereabouts of one party to another party against whom a protective order has been entered, or where there is reason to believe release may result in physical or emotional harm to the former party. (Sec. 405) Requires State procedures to provide that the State agency will: (1) determine whether an individual is cooperating with efforts to establish paternity and child support; and (2) advise individuals of the grounds for good cause exceptions to the cooperation requirement. Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) with respect to good cause exceptions to the cooperation requirement under the Medicaid program. Part II: Program Administration and Funding - Amends part D of SSA title IV to prescribe increasing Federal base matching rates over three fiscal years for State child support collection programs. Revises requirements for performance-based incentive payments, with respect to paternity establishment, and for administrative penalties. (Sec. 413) Requires State agencies to establish a process for annual reviews of and reports to the Secretary on the State program. Revises requirements for State reporting procedures. (Sec. 415) Requires a State to operate a single statewide automated data processing and information retrieval system capable of performing specified tasks. Sets forth a special Federal matching rate for the development costs of such automated systems. (Sec. 416) Directs the Secretary, directly or by contract, to study and report to the Congress on the staffing of each State child support enforcement program. (Sec. 417) Makes funds available to the Secretary for information dissemination and technical assistance to States, training of State and Federal staff, and specified related activities, as well as operation of the Federal Parent Locator System (FPLS). Part III: Locate and Case Tracking - Requires the automated system established under this subtitle to perform the functions of a single central registry of child support records. (Sec. 422) Requires a State agency, on and after October 1, 1998, to operate a centralized, automated unit for the collection and disbursement of support payments. (Sec. 423) Requires each State, by the same deadline, to establish a State Directory of New Hires containing employer-supplied names, addresses, and social security numbers of each newly hired employee, which shall also be transmitted to the National Directory of New Hires (established under this Act). (Sec. 424) Requires States to establish procedures for mandatory withholding of child support payments from an employee's income. (Sec. 425) Requires State procedures that ensure that a State will neither fund nor use any automated interstate network or system for locating individuals for motor vehicle or law enforcement purposes unless all Federal and State agencies administering child support programs have access to information in such network or system to the same extent as any other user. (Sec. 426) Revises FPLS requirements to include an automated Federal Case Registry of Child Support Orders and a National Directory of New Hires. (Sec. 427) Requires State procedures requiring the recording of social security numbers on marriage licenses, divorce decrees, birth records, child support and paternity orders and acknowledgements, motor vehicle and professional licenses, and death certificates. Part IV: Streamlining and Uniformity of Procedures - Requires States to adopt in its entirety the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, as approved by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws in August 1992. (Sec. 432) Specifies rules a court shall apply if one or more child support orders have been issued in the court's State or another State with regard to an obligor and a child. (Sec. 433) Specifies expedited State procedures for establishing paternity and establishing, modifying, and enforcing child support obligations without judicial or other administrative order. (Sec. 434) Prescribes requirements for administrative enforcement in interstate cases. Part V: Paternity Establishment - Requires State procedures: (1) under which the State agency shall pay the costs of genetic testing, subject to recoupment from the putative father if paternity is established; and (2) for a simple civil process for voluntary acknowledgement of paternity. (Sec. 442) Requires States to publicize the availability and encourage the use of procedures for voluntary acknowledgement of paternity and child support through a specified variety of means. Part VI: Establishment and Modification of Support Orders - Establishes the National Child Support Guidelines Commission, which shall, if it decides it is appropriate, develop a national child support guideline or needed improvements on any existing guideline models. (Sec. 452) Requires States to provide for a simplified process for triennial review (upon request by either parent of a child) and adjustment of child support orders. Part VII: Enforcement of Support Orders - Amends the Internal Revenue Code and SSA title IV part D to revise: (1) the order of tax refund distribution with respect to reductions of a refund for overdue child support payments; (2) Internal Revenue Service collection of support payment arrearages; and (3) authority to collect support from Federal employees and military retirees. (Sec. 464) Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a centralized personnel locator service containing the address of each member of the armed forces (including, upon the Secretary of Transportation's request, Coast Guard members). Requires the Secretary of each military department (including the Secretary of Transportation for the Coast Guard) to prescribe regulations to facilitate the granting of leave to armed forces members to attend a paternity or child support establishment hearing. (Sec. 465) Amends SSA title IV part D to require State procedures for placing liens for child support arrearages on motor vehicle titles. (Sec. 466) Requires States to: (1) enact specified uniform laws specifying indicia of fraud which create a prima facie case for the voiding of any income or property transfer where overdue child support is owed; (2) authorize suspension of the driver's, professional and occupational, and recreational licenses of individuals owing overdue child support; (3) require periodic reporting of child support delinquents to consumer credit bureaus; (4) extend the statute of limitations for collection of child support arrearages; and (5) charge interest or penalties for arrearages. (Sec. 471) Requires the HHS Secretary to transmit any State certification that an individual owes more than $5,000 (or over 24 months' worth) of child support to the Secretary of State, who shall refuse to issue such individual a passport, or may revoke, restrict, or limit a previously issued passport. (Sec. 472) Requires any State to treat international child support cases in the same manner that it treats interstate cases. Declares the sense of the Congress that the United States should ratify the United Nations Convention of 1956. Part VIII: Medical Support - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) with respect to enforcement of medical child support orders. Part IX: Access and Visitation Programs - Authorizes appropriations for grants to States for access and visitation programs. Subtitle B: Child Support Enforcement and Assurance Demonstrations - Directs the HHS Secretary to make grants to three States for demonstrations, lasting from seven to ten years, to determine the effectiveness of programs to provide assured levels of child support to custodial parents of children for whom paternity and support obligations have been established. (Sec. 494) Specifies eligibility requirements for child support assurance payments. Sets the range of benefit levels: (1) $1,500 to $3,000 (indexed annually) for a family with one child; and (2) $3,000 to $4,500 (indexed annually) for a family with four or more children. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Demonstration Projects to Provide Services to Certain Noncustodial Parents - Directs the Secretary to make grants to up to five States to conduct demonstration projects providing services to noncustodial parents unable to meet child support obligations due to unemployment or underemployment. Specifies the services to be provided, including: (1) referrals to job training and education programs; and (2) court monitored job search. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Severability - Sets forth severability provisions. Title V: Transitional Medicaid - Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to give State Medicaid plans the option to extend for an additional year Medicaid enrollment for former transitional aid program recipients. Title VI: Teenage Pregnancy Prevention - Amends SSA title IV part A to require State plans to prescribe a residency condition for transitional aid to families with needy children for an individual under age 18 who has never been married but is pregnant or has a dependent child in his or her care. Requires such an individual to reside in the home of the individual's parent, legal guardian, or other adult relative. Requires that the transitional aid be provided to such parent, legal guardian, or other adult relative on behalf of the individual and child. (Sec. 601) Requires State assistance to such an individual in locating appropriate adult-supervised supportive living arrangements in exceptional cases. (Sec. 602) Entitles each State to funds for the establishment and support of second chance houses for custodial parents under age 19 and their children. Describes a second chance house as a supportive and supervised living arrangement in which such parents would be required to learn parenting skills, including child development, family budgeting, health and nutrition, and other skills to promote their long-term economic independence and the well-being of their children. (Sec. 603) Requires State plans to prescribe specified high school or alternative educational or training requirements for teenage custodial parents. Gives States the option to provide additional incentives and penalties to encourage teenage parents to complete high school and participate in parenting activities. (Sec. 604) Authorizes State agencies to provide for projects to reduce teenage pregnancy. Requires the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on the relative effectiveness of the different approaches for preventing teenage pregnancy used in such projects. Authorizes appropriations. Entitles States and Indian tribes to certain payments to defray the costs of such projects. (Sec. 605) Directs the Secretary, within an existing HHS office, to establish a National Clearinghouse on Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Programs. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 606) Prohibits Federal housing assistance to individuals under age 18 who bear children out-of-wedlock. Sets forth conditions for obtaining such assistance, including marriage to the child's biological father. (Sec. 607) Declares the sense of the Congress that the President should lead a national campaign against teenage pregnancy according to specified guidelines. Title VII: Children's Eligibility for Supplemental Security Income - Children's SSI Eligibility Reform Act - Amends SSA title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) to revise SSI benefit eligibility criteria for disabled children. (Sec. 703) Directs the Commissioner of Social Security to modify specified regulations with respect to individualized functional assessments and to medical criteria for evaluation of mental and emotional disorders (especially destructive behavior requiring protective intervention). (Sec. 704) Prescribes administrative penalties for coaching children to feign impairments in order to obtain benefits. Revises representative payee requirements, including documentation of expenditures. Provides for downwardly graduated benefits for certain additional eligible children. Requires continuing disability reviews at least: (1) every year for a disability for which medical improvement is expected; (2) every three years for a disability for which medical improvement is possible; and (3) every seven years for a disability for which medical improvement is not expected. Requires a disability review: (1) after 12 months for a low birth weight baby receiving SSI disability benefits; and (2) for all disabled children turning 18. Authorizes the Commissioner, at a representative payee's request, to pay any lump sum payment for a child's benefit into a dedicated savings account exclusively for the child's education, job training, or other special needs and therapy. Directs the Commissioner to establish a system of information and referral for treatment and services available to eligible children receiving SSI benefits. Title VIII: Financing and Food Assistance Reform - Subtitle A: Treatment of Aliens - Amends SSA title XI (General Provisions and Peer Review) to make a uniform definition of qualified alien for all social security assistance programs. (Sec. 802) Extends, with specified exceptions, through the date (if any) an alien becomes a U.S. citizen the deeming period during which the sponsor's income and resources are attributed to the alien for purposes of eligibility for the transitional aid, SSI, and food stamp programs. (Sec. 803) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to allow the admission, at the Attorney General's discretion, of an otherwise excludable alien if: (1) the alien has received a sponsor-signed guarantee of financial responsibility that meets certain criteria; and (2) it is reasonable to expect that the sponsor has the financial capacity to meet the guarantee's obligations. Extends the requirement for affidavits of support to specified family-related and diversity immigrants. Subtitle B: Revenue Provision - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require social security numbers on a claim for the earned income tax credit (thus denying such credit to individuals not authorized to be employed in the United States). Subtitle C: Food Assistance Provisions - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to allow recovery of any coupon overissuance from Federal tax refunds. (Sec. 822) Reduces the basic food stamp benefit level by revising the annual adjustment to the cost of the thrifty food plan from 103 percent to 100 percent of such cost for FY 1996 and thereafter. (Sec. 824) Requires disqualification for benefits, with specified exceptions, of an individual who has received an allotment for six consecutive months during which the individual has not been employed at least an average of 20 hours per week, unless such individual is employed at least 20 hours per week or is participating in a workfare program, or an approved employment and training program. Provides for development of a WAGE plan for such a participant. (Sec. 825) Extends current claims retention rates, with respect to administrative cost-sharing and quality control, from FY 1995 through FY 2002. (Sec. 826) Prohibits for FY 1996 and 1997 the annual adjustment of the standard deduction from household income for purposes of food stamp eligibility. (Sec. 827) Authorizes FY 1996 appropriations for nutrition assistance to Puerto Rico. (Sec. 828) Repeals the special rule qualifying as an individual household certain disabled persons over age 60 who live with others but do not purchase and prepare food separately. (Sec. 829) Reduces from 21 to 18 the maximum age of children whose income is excluded from computation of household income. (Sec. 830) Includes State energy assistance as well as vendor payments for transitional housing in the computation of household income. (Sec. 832) Makes ineligible for food stamp benefits for ten years certain individuals found to have fraudulently misrepresented residence to obtain benefits. (Sec. 833) Authorizes a State plan to deny food stamp benefits to certain individuals during any period they have child support payments overdue. (Sec. 834) Requires the annual adjustment to a household allotment to the nearest $10 instead of (as currently) the nearest $5. (Sec. 835) Prohibits increase of a household allotment to the extent that its income has been decreased as the result of a penalty for failure to comply with the work requirements of other programs. (Sec. 836) Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to authorize FY 1996 appropriations for discretionary grants to States for nutrition education and training programs. (Sec. 837) Amends the National School Lunch Act to revise requirements governing reimbursement of organizations sponsoring family or group child or adult day care homes for the cost of obtaining and preparing food and prescribed labor costs, especially with respect to low- or moderate-income homes. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to provide census data to each State agency administering a child and adult care food program, and each such agency in turn to provide such data to family or group day care home sponsoring organizations. Requires certain allotments of appropriations to provide grants to States for grants to family and group day care home sponsoring organizations, including funds to assist low- and moderate-income family or group day care homes, to become licensed, registered, or overcome other barriers to the program. Subtitle D: Supplemental Security Income - Amends SSA title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) to mandate periodic eligibility review of certain recipients of SSI disability benefits. (Sec. 842) Disqualifies from receipt of SSI disability benefits individuals for whom alcohol or drug addiction would be a contributing factor material to the disability determination. Title IX: Legislative Proposals; Effective Date - Directs the Secretary to submit to the Congress a legislative proposal for technical and conforming amendments in Federal law required by this Act. (Sec. 902) Specifies the effective date of this Act.
Bill· SS. 834 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Welfare Spending Cap and Block Grants Subtitle A: Capping the Aggregate Growth of Welfare Spending Subtitle B: Welfare Block Grant Program Title II: Work Program-Related Requirements on States in Expending Certain Block Grant Funds Subtitle A: Workfare and Dependency Reduction Program Subtitle B: Work Requirement for Food Stamp Equivalent Households Subtitle C: Evaluation of Training Programs Title III: Promoting Families Subtitle A: Eligibility for Certain Welfare Block Grant Funds Subtitle B: Additional Earned Income Tax Credit for Married Individuals Subtitle C: Expansion of Abstinence Education Title IV: Recommendations Title V: Child Support Enforcement Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions Title VII: Severability and Effective Date Real Welfare Reform Act of 1995 - Title I: Welfare Spending Cap and Block Grants - Subtitle A: Capping the Aggregate Growth of Welfare Spending - Places a cap on the growth of Federal spending on certain welfare programs, including the welfare block grant program established below and the head start program, starting in FY 1996, with the resulting savings used for deficit reduction. Subtitle B: Welfare Block Grant Program - Replaces various specified current welfare programs, including the cash aid component of the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program, child welfare and nutrition programs, the food stamp and supplemental security income programs, and housing, energy, and job training programs, with a single program of block grants to the States to provide: (1) aid to low-income households in the State, with food assistance provided, at the strong encouragement of the Congress, through food commodities directly purchased by the State, while providing for the Medicaid-eligibility of low-income individuals; (2) appropriate services and activities to discourage out-of-wedlock pregnancies; and (3) care for the children of such pregnancies. Sets forth special rules and reporting requirements regarding the use of program funds, including a prohibition on their use for abortion to plan families and aid to noncitizen and fugitive felons and probation or parole violators. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Work Program-Related Requirements on States in Expending Certain Block Grant Funds - Subtitle A: Workfare and Dependency Reduction Program - Requires that if a State uses grant funds received above to provide direct cash or food assistance to certain populations of AFDC families and dependent children, it must establish and operate a program to reduce welfare dependence and ensure that welfare recipients participate, according to specified guidelines and participation requirements, in State community work service or wage subsidy programs, nonsubsidized private sector employment, or supervised job search activities and, at the State's option, in educational or job skills training as well, with single- adult families with young children generally not required to participate in such program except under certain circumstances. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 215) Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to provide for a special rule with respect to certain employers under the wage subsidy program relating to employee earned income eligibility certificates. (Sec. 216) Provides for penalties for parents who fail to participate in State community work service programs. (Sec. 217) Eliminates work requirements above for groups which no longer receive benefits. Subtitle B: Work Requirement for Food Stamp Equivalent Households - Provides that if a State uses grant funds received above to provide direct food assistance to a population of food stamp equivalent households, the State shall require members of such a population to perform successfully at least 32 hours of work per month on behalf of a State or political subdivision through a program it establishes prior to the furnishing of direct food assistance for such month. Establishes certain exemptions from such requirement, such as in the case of a parent residing with a dependent child under age 18 or in the case of a member who is under age 18 or is mentally or physically unfit. (Sec. 222) Provides for similar elimination of work requirements for specified groups under this subtitle no longer receiving food benefits. Subtitle C: Evaluation of Training Programs - Requires States using grant funds to assist low-income households to conduct ongoing evaluations of job training programs to determine whether such programs raise the hourly wage rates of individuals receiving training through such programs. Title III: Promoting Families - Expresses the sense of the Congress with regard to the importance of marriage in society and the negative consequences of out-of-wedlock births, making the reduction of such births an important government interest. Subtitle A: Eligibility for Certain Welfare Block Grant Funds - Denies certain welfare assistance to certain young unwed parents and their children, including assistance to additional children of recipients. (Sec. 313) Ties a family's receipt of assistance to the establishment of paternity for each of their children born on or after January 1, 1995, with certain exceptions. Subtitle B: Additional Earned Income Tax Credit for Married Individuals - Amends the IRC to establish additional earned income tax credit for married individuals. Subtitle C: Expansion of Abstinence Education - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to States and public and private entities for promoting sexual abstinence. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Recommendations - Recommends that a State providing direct cash assistance from welfare block grant funds to: (1) custodial parents under age 19 without a high school education who belong to an AFDC equivalent family must require them to participate in an educational activity and, at the State's option, may require them to participate in training or work activities in lieu of such educational activities under certain conditions; (2) an AFDC equivalent family without any children under age five with sufficient liquid assets to meet its basic needs for a one-month period beginning when it applies for such assistance must not provide it with such assistance until any member aged 18 has conducted appropriate job search activities for such period; (3) an AFDC equivalent family not described above without any children under age five must require a member aged 18 to conduct similar activities during the first one month period in which it receives aid; and (4) an AFDC equivalent family must reduce by a certain amount monthly assistance payments to any family in a subsidized housing unit in the State. (Sec. 403) Recommends that a State providing direct cash assistance from welfare block grant funds to an AFDC equivalent family, in determining eligibility for such assistance, consider as income of the applicant family, any rent or housing subsidy provided by the State, to the extent that the value of such subsidy is equivalent to the amount for housing included in the maximum amount payable to a family of the same composition with no other income. Title V: Child Support Enforcement - Establishes a national system for reporting information on employee child support obligations through modified W-4 form reporting. (Sec. 502) Provides for: (1) child support order registries maintained by designated State agencies of each child support order being enforced in the State; (2) accessibility of State locate information to other States and private parties; (3) expansion of the Federal Parent Locator Service (FPLS); (4) an Interstate Locate Network linking FPLS and all State databases relating to child support enforcement for State use in handling locate requests; (5) Federal regulations governing the sharing of locate information among States, within States, and between the States and FPLS; and (6) State systems for collecting child support through employer withholding of employee income owed for child support pursuant to a uniform withholding order for distribution to the individual or State to whom the withheld income is to be paid. (Sec. 506) Makes various specified changes with regard to paternity establishment, including allowing simple civil consent procedures for voluntary acknowledgement of parentage by unmarried parents. (Sec. 507) Prohibits the imposition of any fee for child support collection or paternity establishment services provided with respect to an individual denied low-income housing aid as a result of this Act. Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions - Repeals the Davis-Bacon Act (which requires Federal contractors to pay prevailing wages). (Sec. 601) Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), upon enactment of this title, to make downward adjustments in discretionary spending limits under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (CBA) for FY 1996 through 2000 by the amount of discretionary savings attributable to each such fiscal year resulting from enactment. Reduces allocations in effect under CBA for FY 1996 for House and Senate appropriations committees by the amount of discretionary savings in outlays and budget authority determined above. Provides for appropriations committee suballocations for such fiscal year to reflect the lower allocations provided by this paragraph. (Sec. 602) Makes fugitive felons and probation and parole violators ineligible for Medicaid benefits and provides for the exchange of Medicaid locate information with Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers. (Sec. 603) Restricts judicial and administrative review of this Act and any laws or regulations enacted or promulgated thereunder as a result of challenges by certain legal services providers. (Sec. 604) Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to: (1) tie its definition of "poverty line" to OMB's official poverty line revised annually under the Community Services Block Grant Act that is applicable to a particular family; (2) authorize State agencies electing to provide supplemental foods to women, infants, and children (WIC) program participants in the form of commodities rather than vouchers to use any resulting savings for certain low-income assistance; and (3) require the Secretary of Agriculture to ensure that the amount of WIC funds allocated to a State agency is not reduced because it makes such an election. Title VII: Severability and Effective Date - Sets forth severability provisions and the effective date of this Act.
Bill· SS. 828 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Strengthening the JOBS Program Title II: Aid to Families with Dependent Children Subtitle A: Requirements for Teenage Parents Subtitle B: State Flexibility Title III: Child Support Enforcement Subtitle A: Improvements to the Child Support Collection System Subtitle B: Effect of Enactment Title IV: Supplemental Security Income Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions Family Support Act of 1995 - Title I: Strengthening the JOBS Program - Amends part A (Aid to Families With Dependent Children) (AFDC) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to increase from 20 percent in 1995 to 50 percent in 2001 the required State rate for participation in the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training (JOBS) Program. (Sec. 102) Requires a State agency to establish procedures to: (1) encourage the placement of participants in jobs as quickly as possible, including using performance measures that reward staff performance; and (2) assist participants in retaining employment after they are hired. Authorizes a State agency to establish a job placement voucher program meeting specified requirements. Requires a State to: (1) make a list of approved job placement organizations available to an eligible AFDC applicant or recipient; and (2) give the participant a voucher to present to the job placement organization, which may redeem it after successfully placing the participant in employment for a six- month period (or longer, as the State determines). Repeals the requirement for States to provide educational activities to individuals age 20 or older. Allows States to: (1) establish their own requirements for when and how long an AFDC recipient or applicant must participate in job search; and (2) provide JOBS services to non-custodial parents who are unemployed and unable to meet their child support obligations. (Sec. 103) Increases funding for the JOBS program. Revises the formula for the Federal matching rate, for both the JOBS program and for child care, to make it, for FY 1997 and thereafter, 70 percent or the State's Federal Medicaid matching rate plus ten percentage points, whichever is higher. (Sec. 104) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a plan for evaluating the JOBS program. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Aid to Families with Dependent Children - Subtitle A: Requirements for Teenage Parents - Amends part A (AFDC) of SSA title IV to require State agencies to assign to each custodial parent under age 20 a case manager responsible for assisting the teen parent in obtaining services and monitoring their compliance with all program requirements. (Sec. 202) Requires State agencies to require participating (as well as certain program-exempt) custodial parents under age 20 who have not completed high school (or its equivalent) to: (1) attend school; (2) participate in a program combining classroom and job training; or (3) work toward attainment of a high school education (or its equivalent). Requires State agencies to require such parents who have successfully completed high school (or its equivalent) to participate in a State-approved JOBS activity. Grants States the option to conduct a program of monetary incentives and penalties to encourage custodial parents (and pregnant women) under age 20 to complete their high school (or equivalent) education, and participate in parenting activities. (Sec. 203) Requires States to require, with specified exceptions, an individual under age 18 who has a dependent child (or is pregnant) to live with a parent, legal guardian, or other adult relative, or reside in a foster home, maternity home, or other adult-supervised supportive living arrangement, with AFDC payments made to the individual's parent or other adult on the individual's behalf. Subtitle B: State Flexibility - Establishes an Interagency Welfare Review Board as the central organization for coordinating the review of State applications for waivers that involve more than one Federal department or agency. Requires the Board to provide assistance and technical advice to States applying for such waivers. (Sec. 221) Requires the Secretary to approve or disapprove a waiver application within 90 days after its receipt. Grants a presumption for approval for any waiver request similar in substance and scale to one previously approved. (Sec. 222) Authorizes any State, without receiving a waiver, to establish program changes in: (1) income and resource requirements; (2) requirements relating to disregard of income; (3) standards for defining unemployment other than those defined by the Secretary; and (4) rules that prescribe the number of quarters of work that a principal earner must have to qualify for unemployment compensation. (Sec. 223) Authorizes States to apply for waivers of JOBS program rules in order to conduct JOBS demonstration projects. Title III: Child Support Enforcement - Interstate Child Support Responsibility Act of 1995 - Subtitle A: Improvements to the Child Support Collection System - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of SSA title IV to state that mothers shall not be considered to cooperate with paternity establishment efforts unless they furnish the State agency with the name of the putative father (or fathers) and specified additional information. Requires the State child support enforcement agency to make a cooperation determination within ten days after the mother's referral. Prohibits denial of AFDC and Medicaid benefits for lack of cooperation until the formal determination is made. (Retains the current good cause exception to the cooperation requirement.) (Sec. 302) Requires States to record every child support order established or modified in the State on or after October 1, 1998, in the central case registry established under this Act. (Sec. 303) Revises requirements for the distribution of collected child support to former as well as to current AFDC recipients before reimbursement of State and Federal government agencies. Specifies alternative distribution priorities at State option. (Sec. 304) Provides for notification of service applicants and recipients of all support obligation proceedings, as well as specified privacy safeguards. (Sec. 311) Increases from 66 percent to 75 percent, as of FY 1999, the Federal matching rate for State and local child support and paternity establishment costs. Revises performance-based incentive adjustments to the matching rate, as well as payment reduction penalties for failure to meet specified paternity establishment and child support enforcement goals. (Sec. 313) Revises requirements for State and Federal reviews and audits of part D programs. (Sec. 315) Requires States to have in operation a single statewide automated data processing and information retrieval system capable of performing required part D tasks. Establishes a special Federal matching rate for development costs of such systems. (Sec. 316) Directs the Secretary periodically to study, directly or by contract, the staffing of each State child support enforcement program. (Sec. 317) Sets forth a formula for certain funds made available to the Secretary for specified assistance to State programs. (Sec. 321) Requires any State automated system for locate and case tracking to perform the functions of a single central registry containing records with standardized data elements. (Sec. 322) Requires State agencies to operate a single, centralized, automated unit for the collection and disbursement of child support payments. (Sec. 323) Requires States to have procedures under which all child support orders issued or modified before October 1, 1996, which are not otherwise subject to income withholding, shall become subject to withholding from wages without the need for a judicial or administrative hearing. (Sec. 324) Requires States to have procedures ensuring that they will neither provide funding for nor use for any purpose any automated interstate network or system to locate individuals for law enforcement or motor vehicle purposes unless all Federal and State agencies administering child support enforcement programs have access to information in the network or system to the same extent as any other user. (Sec. 325) Provides for expanded authority to locate individuals and assets through the Federal Parent Locator Service (FPLS). Directs the Secretary to establish within the FPLS: (1) a Data Bank of Child Support Orders, containing abstracts of support orders and other information on each case in each State central case registry; and (2) a Directory of New Hires, with information supplied by employers and by State agencies administering State unemployment compensation laws. Sets forth requirements for such Data Bank and Directory, including penalties for noncomplying employers. (Sec. 326) Requires States to have procedures requiring the recording of social security numbers: (1) of both parties on marriage licenses, birth records, and child support and paternity orders; and (2) on all applications for motor vehicle licenses and professional licenses. (Sec. 331) Requires States to adopt in its entirety by January 1, 1997, the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, as approved by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws in August 1992. (Sec. 332) Revises requirements with respect to the full faith and credit given State child support orders by sister States. (Sec. 333) Requires States to have procedures giving the State agency authority, without the necessity of obtaining an order from any other judicial or administrative tribunal, to take specified actions to establish or enforce paternity establishment or child support orders. (Sec. 341) Revises requirements for paternity establishment procedures, especially voluntary establishment. Grants anyone who has acknowledged paternity 60 days to rescind such acknowledgement. Allows a court challenge of a signed acknowledgement of paternity after 60 days only on the basis of fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact. Permits a minor who has signed such an acknowledgement outside the presence of a parent or court-appointed guardian ad litem to rescind it beyond the 60-day limit, but no later than the earlier of: (1) the age of majority; or (2) the date of the first judicial or administrative proceeding brought to establish a support obligation, visitation rights, or custody rights of the child in question at which the minor putative father is represented by a parent, guardian ad litem, or attorney. Requires State procedures under which: (1) no judicial or administrative proceedings are required or permitted to ratify an unchallenged acknowledgement of paternity; (2) parties to a paternity action are not entitled to a jury trial; and (3) a temporary child support order shall be issued, upon a party's motion, pending an administrative or judicial determination of parentage, where there is clear and convincing evidence of paternity (on the basis of genetic tests or other evidence). (Sec. 342) Requires States to publicize the availability and encourage the use of procedures for voluntary paternity establishment and child support through a variety of means, including: (1) distribution of written materials at health care facilities and other locations such as schools; (2) pre-natal programs to educate expectant couples on individual and joint rights and responsibilities with respect to paternity; and (3) reasonable follow-up efforts after a new-born child has been discharged from a hospital if paternity or child support have not been established. Sets a Federal matching payment to each State of 90 percent of the costs of outreach programs designed to encourage voluntary acknowledgement of paternity. (Sec. 351) Establishes the National Child Support Guidelines Commission, which shall determine whether it is appropriate to develop a national child support guideline and, if so, develop one. (Sec. 352) Requires States to: (1) review both AFDC and non-AFDC child support orders every three years at the request of either parent; and (2) adjust an order (without a requirement for any other change in circumstances) if the amount of child support under the order differs from the amount that would be awarded based on State guidelines. Mandates such a review and adjustment, at either parent's request, at any time there is a substantial change in the circumstances of either such parent. Requires child support orders to require parents to provide each other with annual statements of financial condition. (Sec. 361) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the priorities for child support offset of tax refunds to give first priority to satisfaction of any past-due support which has not been assigned to the State, and only secondarily to satisfaction of past-due support that has been so assigned. Provides that up to $10,000 of any lump-sum child support payment withheld from a tax refund for a family receiving AFDC may be placed in a Qualified Asset Account. Limits the use of funds in such an account to: (1) education and training programs; (2) improvements in an individual's employability (including purchase of an automobile); (3) the purchase of a home; or (4) a change of family residence. Excludes such funds from any accounting for purposes of AFDC benefit eligibility. (Sec. 362) Prohibits the assessment of any additional fee for adjustments to a child support arrearage previously certified to the Secretary of the Treasury for collection through the Internal Revenue Service. (Sec. 363) Revises child support enforcement requirements with respect to Federal employees and members of the armed forces to subject them to the same withholding procedures that apply to non-Federal employees. (Sec. 364) Requires the Secretary of Defense to establish a centralized personnel locator service including the address of each member of the armed forces under the Secretary's jurisdiction (as well as the addresses of members of the Coast Guard, upon request of the Secretary of Transportation). Revises treatment of military personnel with respect to child support enforcement interaction with the States. (Sec. 365) Requires States to have in effect the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act of 1981, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act of 1984, or another law, specifying indicia of fraud which create a prima facie case that a debtor transferred income or property to avoid payment to a child support creditor, which the Secretary finds affords comparable rights to such creditors. Requires a State to: (1) void any transfer by a child support debtor with respect to which such a prima facie case is established; or (2) obtain a settlement in the best interests of the child support creditor. (Sec. 366) Requires States to have procedures for withholding, suspending, or restricting the use of driver's licenses, professional and occupational licenses, and recreational licenses of individuals owing overdue child support or failing, after receiving appropriate notice, to comply with subpoenas or warrants relating to paternity or child support proceedings. (Sec. 367) Requires States to have procedures (subject to specified safeguards) for periodically reporting to consumer reporting agencies the name of any absent parent who is delinquent in the payment of child support, plus the amount overdue. (Sec. 368) Requires States to have procedures under which the statute of limitations on any arrearages of child support extends at least until the child owed such support reached age 30. (Sec. 369) Requires States to have procedures for charging and collecting interest and penalties on child support arrearages. (Sec. 370) Requires the Secretary to transmit to the Secretary of State for denial, revocation, or limitation of passports any State agency certification that an individual owes arrearages of child support exceeding $5,000 or in an amount exceeding 24 months' worth of child support. Requires the Secretary of State, upon receipt of such a certification, to refuse to issue a passport to such an individual; and permits the Secretary to revoke, restrict, or limit a previously issued passport. (Sec. 381) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to revise the definition of medical child support order to include such orders issued by an administrative adjudicator and having the force and effect of law under applicable State law. (Sec. 391) Authorizes appropriations for grants to States for programs to support and facilitate absent parents' access and visitation to their children. Subtitle B: Effect of Enactment - Sets forth the effective dates of this title, with provision for specified grace periods for State law changes and State constitutional amendments. Title IV: Supplemental Security Income - Directs the Commissioner of Social Security to issue regulations for determining the disability in individuals under age 18 (disabled children), for supplemental security income (SSI) benefit eligibility purposes, in order to ensure that such eligibility is limited to those individuals whose impairments are so severe as to cause at least: (1) a marked limitation in at least two domains of functioning or development; or (2) an extreme limitation in at least one such domain. (Sec. 401) Defines "domain" as a broad but, to the maximum extent practicable, discrete area of function or development that can be identified in infancy and traced through an individual's maturation. States that under no circumstance may the Commissioner specify a domain of maladaptive behavior or consider the limitations caused by such behavior in more than one domain. Requires the Commissioner, within two years after promulgating such regulations, to redetermine the SSI eligibility of each individual receiving such benefits on the basis of disability found before the effective date of such regulations. (Sec. 402) Amends SSA title XVI (SSI) to direct the Commissioner to establish a directory of services for disabled children that are available within the area served by each Social Security Administration office. (Sec. 403) Requires the Commissioner to use standardized tests measuring childhood development or functioning, or equivalent criteria, when determining whether an individual under age 18 is disabled. (Sec. 404) Sets forth a graduated schedule of benefits for several blind or disabled children living in the same (non-group or non-foster home) household. Preserves Medicaid eligibility for all such children. (Sec. 405) Requires the representative payee of a disabled child to file a treatment plan for the child, developed by the child's physician or other medical provider, within three months after the child's SSI eligibility determination. Authorizes the Commissioner to appoint an alternative representative payee, giving preference to the State agency administering the SSI plan, if the original representative payee fails to file a treatment plan. Requires State agencies administering the SSI plan to furnish the Commissioner, upon request, with any information necessary to verify information provided by a representative payee. Requires the Commissioner to reimburse a State agency for the costs of providing such information. Requires the SSA Inspector General to report to specified congressional committees on the implementation of the treatment plan requirements. (Sec. 406) Requires each representative payee of a disabled child to: (1) establish an account in a financial institution on behalf of the child; and (2) deposit into it the initial retroactive payment if the amount of such payment equals or exceeds six times the maximum Federal benefit rate. Allows the deposit of smaller retroactive payments. Limits the use of account funds to education or job skills training or other specified expenses for the disabled child. Requires the Commissioner to establish a system of monitoring payee use of such funds. (Sec. 407) Requires the Commissioner to conduct specified periodic continuing disability reviews for disabled children receiving SSI payments. (Sec. 408) Makes the State agency administering the Maternal and Child Health block grant responsible for developing a care coordination plan for each disabled child. Directs the Secretary, the Commissioner, and the Secretary of Education to take necessary steps to assure that specified State agencies: (1) assist in developing such plan; (2) participate in the planning and delivery of services required by the plan; and (3) provide the Secretary for each fiscal year with information on the services provided. Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the tax responsibilities of expatriation. (Sec. 501) Treats all property held immediately before expatriation by a U.S. citizen relinquishing citizenship as sold at such time for its fair market value. (Excludes from such property: (1) any U.S. real property interest other than stock of a U.S. real property holding corporation; and (2) any interest (not exceeding $500,000) in a qualified retirement plan, foreign or domestic.) Subjects to income taxation any accrued asset gains (in excess of $600,000) as of such date. Waives such treatment for any individual electing to continue to be taxed as a U.S. citizen. Applies such tax treatment also to certain long-term non-citizen U.S. residents upon losing such resident status. (Sec. 502) Declares that, if a non-resident alien individual becomes a U.S. resident or citizen, gain or loss on the disposition of any property held on the date the individual becomes a resident or citizen shall be determined by substituting, as of the applicable date, the fair market value of such property for its cost basis. (States that any deduction for depreciation, depletion, or amortization shall be determined without regard to application of this section.) (Sec. 503) Denies the earned income tax credit to: (1) individuals not authorized to be employed in the United States; and (2) individuals with substantial capital gain net income. Limits such credit to individuals (including spouses and qualifying children) with social security numbers as tax identification numbers. Treats taxpayer errors in social security numbers as mathematical or clerical errors (which can be dealt with under certain simplified procedures instead of normal tax deficiency procedures). (Sec. 505) Revises the treatment of certain stock redemptions as distributions in part or full payment in exchange for the stock. Repeals the current corporate shareholder option to reduce the basis in the remaining stock by the untaxed (deducted) portion of an extraordinary dividend. Treats any non pro rata redemption (or partial liquidation), with specified exceptions, as a sale of the redeemed stock, even if such distribution would otherwise be treated as a dividend entitled to a dividends received deduction. (Sec. 506) Applies uniform alien eligibility criteria to AFDC, SSI, and Medicaid benefits. (Sec. 507) Repeals the termination date of the five-year deeming requirement under which newly legalized resident aliens are deemed for five years to have the income and assets of their sponsors (thus disqualifying them for SSI benefits for such period of time). Extends the deeming period for AFDC eligibility from three to five years. Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to extend the deeming period from three to five years for food stamp benefit eligibility. Exempts from the deeming period (and temporary disqualification for benefits) any alien whose sponsor receives SSI, AFDC, or food stamp benefits. Authorizes the Secretary (and, for food stamps, the Secretary of Agriculture) to alter or suspend application of deeming and disqualification requirements where their application would be inequitable under the circumstances. Authorizes a State or local government to make an alien ineligible for any need-based assistance program it furnishes for any month during which such alien is ineligible for AFDC, SSI, or food stamp benefits.
Bill· HRH.R. 1682 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1995
Forest Ecosystem Stewardship Demonstration Act of 1995 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish and implement a Forest Service demonstration program of stewardship contracts (as defined in this Act) to restore and preserve forest ecosystems and to sustain neighboring rural communities' economic viability. Requires Local Forest Stewardship Councils to be established for each National Forest System offering stewardship contracts.
Bill· HRH.R. 1647 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1995
Nuclear Disarmament and Economic Conversion Act - Requires the U.S. Government to: (1) disable and dismantle all its nuclear weapons and refrain from replacing them at any time with weapons of mass destruction; (2) undertake vigorous good faith efforts to eliminate war, armed conflict, and all military operations; (3) actively promote policies to induce all other countries to join in these commitments for peace on earth; and (4) redirect resources that are currently being used for nuclear weapons programs to constructive, ecologically beneficial peacetime activities and to address human needs such as housing, health care, education, agriculture, and environmental protection. Makes this Act effective when the President certifies to the Congress that all foreign countries possessing nuclear weapons have established legal requirements comparable to those set forth in this Act.
Bill· SS. 805 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Improvements to the Rural Electrification Loan Programs Title II: Preservation of Exclusive State Jurisdiction Over Retail Electric Service Territories Title III: Improvements to the Delivery of Rural Development Programs Rural Electrification and Rural Economic Development Improvement Act of 1995 - Title I: Improvements to the Rural Electrification Loan Programs - Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (Act) to repeal authority for: (1) Treasury loans; and (2) two-percent interest rate electric loans and electrical and plumbing equipment loans. (Sec. 108) Authorizes appropriations for administrative and certain publication and reporting requirements. Establishes fees for non-financial assistance and services provided under such Act. (Sec. 112) Reduces the maximum loan extension period. (Sec. 115) Limits authority to make, insure, and guarantee electric loans, including the imposition of a means-test and a loan graduation (to commercial sources) program. (Sec. 121) Authorizes the sharing or subordination of Government liens to assist borrower credit access. (Sec. 122) Repeals authority for: (1) refinancing of Federal financing bank loans; (2) special treatment of certain electric borrowers; (3) 30 percent limitation on required financing from other sources; (4) refinancing of certain rural development loans; (5) cushion of credit payments program; and (6) authorization of appropriations for electric hardship and electric municipal rate loans. Title II: Preservation of Exclusive State Jurisdiction Over Retail Electric Service Territories - Amends the Federal Power Act of 1935 to provide for exclusive State jurisdiction over allocation of retail electric service territories. Title III: Improvements to the Delivery of Rural Development Programs - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to: (1) prohibit water and waste facility loans to be made on the basis of a borrower's having received a prior Rural Electrification Administration loan; and (2) give rural development loan and grant priority to projects that are included in a local, regional, or State development plan, with highest priority for certain nonprofit entities. (Sec. 304) Amends the Act to give nonprofit entities access (and priority for certain nonprofit entities) to the Rural Business Incubator Fund.
Bill· SS. 804 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1995
Tobacco Consumption Reduction and Health Improvement Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the excise tax on: (1) cigars; (2) cigarettes; (3) cigarette papers and tubes; (4) snuff; and (5) chewing and pipe tobacco. Imposes a tax on roll-your-own tobacco manufactured in or imported into the United States. Imposes a tax on the floor stocks of such tobacco products which are removed before January 1, 1996. Makes an exception to the imposition of such tax for floor stocks of such products held on such date at the place intended to be sold at retail. Imposes such tax on such products entered into the United States from foreign trade zones before such date. Establishes in the Treasury the Tobacco Conversion Trust Fund, to which the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer an amount equivalent to three percent of the net increase in revenues attributable to the tax increases imposed by this Act. Makes Fund amounts available for expenditures for providing: (1) assistance to farmers for conversion from tobacco growing (including Government purchase of tobacco allotments) and improving their access to markets for other crops; and (2) grants and loans to communities and persons involved in tobacco growing and tobacco product manufacture to support economic diversification plans.
Law· HRH.R. 1627 (104th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Cancellation and Suspension Title II: Minor Use Crop Protection Act of 1995 Title III: Data Collection Activities to Assure the Health of Infants and Children and Other Measures Title IV: Amendments to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act Food Quality Protection Act of 1995 - Title I: Cancellation and Suspension - Amends provisions of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) relating to cancellations, changes in classifications, or other terms of registration with respect to the authority of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Requires that a rulemaking under such provisions be based on a validated test or other significant evidence raising prudent concerns of unreasonable adverse effects to man or to the environment. Denies registration applications that are not in compliance with this Act. Title II: Minor Use Crop Protection Act of 1995 - Minor Use Crop Protection Act of 1995 - Amends FIFRA to define "minor use" as the use of a pesticide on an animal or commercial agricultural crop or site or for public health protection where: (1) the total U.S. acreage for the crop is less than 300,000 acres; or (2) the Administrator determines that the use does not provide sufficient economic incentive to support the initial or continuing registration of a pesticide for such use and there are insufficient alternatives available for the use, the alternatives pose greater environmental or health risks, or the pesticide plays or will play a significant part in managing pest resistance or in an integrated pest management program. Extends the period of exclusive data use for data submitted to support original registration applications for pesticides for an additional year for each three minor uses registered after this Act's enactment and before the expiration of the period of exclusive use, up to a total of three additional years for all minor uses registered by the Administrator if the Administrator determines that: (1) there are insufficient alternatives available for the use or the alternatives pose greater environmental or health risks; or (2) the pesticide plays or will play a significant part in managing pest resistance or in an integrated pest management program. Requires the Administrator, upon the request of a registrant, to extend the deadline for the production of residue chemistry data required solely to support a minor use subject to specified conditions. Applies the same extension conditions to data for reregistrations. Authorizes the Administrator to modify or revoke such extensions if the use may cause unreasonable adverse environmental effects. Permits the Administrator, in handling the registration of a pesticide for a minor use, to waive applicable data requirements if the absence of data will not prevent the Administrator from determining the risk presented by the pesticide and that the risk would not have an adverse environmental effect. Provides for expedited review (within one year of submission) of applications to support minor use pesticide registrations. Sets forth conditions for extensions of registrations for unsupported minor uses. Provides a procedure for meeting data requirements where a registrant has voluntarily cancelled a registration and another application is pending for registration of a pesticide that is for a minor use and is identical or substantially similar to, or for an identical or substantially similar use as, the cancelled pesticide. Directs the Administrator to establish a minor use program. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a Department of Agriculture minor use program and a separate matching fund program. Requires the matching fund program to be utilized to ensure the continued availability of minor use crop protection chemicals. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Data Collection Activities to Assure the Health of Infants and Children and Other Measures - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the Administrator and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to coordinate the development and implementation of survey procedures to ensure collection of adequate data on food consumption patterns of infants and children. Requires residue surveillance activities of the Department of Agriculture to provide for the improved surveillance of pesticide residues, including increased sampling of foods most likely consumed by infants and children. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) collect pesticide use data of statewide or regional significance for all the major crops and crops of dietary significance; and (2) in cooperation with the Administrator, implement research, demonstration, and education programs to support adoption of integrated pest management. Requires Federal agencies to use and promote integrated pest management techniques. Title IV: Amendments to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to redefine "pesticide chemical," subject to exception, as any substance that is a pesticide, or any active ingredient thereof, within the meaning of FIFRA. Defines "pesticide chemical residue," subject to exception, as a residue in or on a raw agricultural commodity or processed food of a pesticide chemical or any other added substance present as a result of a pesticide chemical's metabolism or other degradation. Deems a processed food not to be adulterated, within the meaning of FDCA, if there are present pesticide chemical residues at tolerance levels not considered unsafe. (Current law treats only raw agricultural commodities in this manner.) Sets forth requirements relating to tolerances and exemptions from tolerances for pesticide chemical residues in food, including residues of degradation products, which allow the presence in processed food at the tolerance applicable to the raw agricultural commodity from which the processed food is made. Prohibits establishment of a tolerance that is more stringent than a level the Administrator determines is adequate to protect the public health (i.e., if the dietary risk posed by such level of residues is negligible). Allows a greater than negligible dietary risk if: (1) use protects from greater adverse health effects to humans or the environment; (2) use avoids greater risks from another pesticide; or (3) the unavailability of the pesticide would reduce the availability of an adequate, wholesome, and economical domestic supply of the food. Prohibits issuance of a final rule that revokes, modifies, or suspends a tolerance or exemption until the Administrator has taken any necessary action under FIFRA with respect to the registration of the pesticide involved. Requires the Administrator, where a pesticide is labeled for use on a particular food, to: (1) revoke any tolerance or exemption that allows the presence of a particular chemical or its residue in or on such food if the Administrator cancels the registration of each pesticide that contains the chemical or modifies it to prohibit the pesticide's use in connection with such food; and (2) suspend any such tolerance or exemption upon the suspension of the use of each pesticide that contains the chemical. Provides for: (1) tolerances for unavoidable residues in the case of a residue of a canceled or suspended pesticide chemical that will unavoidably persist in the environment and be present in or on a food; and (2) residues resulting from an application which was lawful at the time of application but with respect to which the tolerance or exemption has since been revoked, suspended, or modified. Prohibits, subject to exception, a State from enforcing any limit on a qualifying pesticide chemical residue (as defined in this Act) in or on any food which is not identical to Federal requirements. Prohibits a State, absent an unreasonable dietary risk, from enforcing a limit on the level of residues in any food if the sale of such food containing such residue level was lawful at the time of application of the pesticide. Authorizes appropriations for increased monitoring of pesticide residues in imported and domestic food.
Bill· HRH.R. 1626 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1995
Requires the rate of duty on tomatoes imported from Mexico to be equal to the column one duty rate under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States as adjusted by the change in value of Mexican currency (stated in U.S. dollars) on January 1, 1994, and its value on the date of enactment of this Act. Provides for periodic three-month adjustments in such rate. (Sec. 3) Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to determine the extent of the harm to the domestic winter tomato industry as a result of the devaluation in the Mexican peso in December 1994 and immediately take steps to remedy such harm. (Sec. 4) States that for purposes of applying standards provisions of the Agricultural Adjustment Act, imports of tomatoes from Mexico shall be prohibited that do not meet specific requirements with respect to grade, size, and containers.
Bill· SS. 794 (104th)reported
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1995
Minor Use Crop Protection Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to define "minor use" as the use of a pesticide on an animal or commercial agricultural crop or site or for public health protection where: (1) the total U.S. acreage for the crop is fewer than 300,000 acres; or (2) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency determines that the use does not provide sufficient economic incentive to support the initial or continuing registration of a pesticide for such use and there are insufficient alternatives available for the use, any one of the alternatives poses greater environmental or health risks, or the pesticide plays or will play a significant part in managing pest resistance or in an integrated pest management program. Extends the period of exclusive data use for data submitted to support original registration applications for pesticides for an additional year for each three minor uses registered after this Act's enactment and before the expiration of the period of exclusive use, up to a total of three additional years for all minor uses registered by the Administrator if the Administrator determines that: (1) there are insufficient alternatives available for the use or any one of the alternatives poses greater environmental or health risks; or (2) the pesticide plays or will play a significant part in managing pest resistance or in an integrated pest management program. Requires the Administrator, upon the request of a registrant, to extend the deadline for the production of residue chemistry data required solely to support a minor use subject to specified conditions. Applies the same extension conditions to data for reregistrations. Authorizes the Administrator to modify or revoke such extensions if the use may cause unreasonable adverse environmental effects. Permits the Administrator, in handling the registration of a pesticide for a minor use, to waive applicable data requirements if the absence of data will not prevent the Administrator from determining the risk presented by the pesticide and that the risk would not have an adverse environmental effect. Provides for expedited review (within one year of submission) of applications to support minor use pesticide registrations. Provides a procedure for meeting data requirements where a registrant has voluntarily cancelled a registration and another application is pending for registration of a pesticide that is for a minor use and is identical or substantially similar to, or for an identical or substantially similar use as, the cancelled pesticide. Directs the Administrator to establish a minor use program. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a Department of Agriculture minor use program and a separate matching fund program. Requires the matching fund program to be utilized to ensure the continued availability of minor use crop protection chemicals. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 768 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Ensuring the Integrity of the Listing and Critical Habitat Designation Processes Title II: Broadening the Recovery Plan to Constitute a Conservation Plan and Making the Conservation Plan Central to the Implementation of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 Title III: Improving the Consultation and Conferencing Processes for Federal Agency Actions Title IV: Ensuring that the Compliance Procedures and Standards for Non-Federal Persons are not More Burdensome than the Procedures and Standards Applicable to Federal Agencies Title V: Providing for Habitat Conservation Incentive Programs Title VI: Other Amendments Making the Endangered Species Act of 1973 More Effective and Less Burdensome Title VII: Authorizing Increased Appropriations Endangered Species Act Reform Act of 1995 - Title I: Ensuring the Integrity of the Listing and Critical Habitat Designation Processes - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (the Act) to direct the Secretary of the Interior, upon publication of notice of a proposed rulemaking for an action for the determination of an endangered or threatened species status, to provide notice of the right of any interested person to seek peer review of such action. Provides for review and publication of results after such request. (Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary to determine whether a species is endangered or threatened due to the inadequacy of any existing Federal, State, local governmental, and international regulatory mechanisms. (Sec. 103) Requires the Secretary to: (1) make such determinations based on the best reasonably obtainable scientific information; (2) identify and publish in the Federal Register a description of the extent of the use of scientific information in making the appropriate regulation; (3) provide an opportunity for public review and comment on the scientific information used; and (4) require States to adopt the reasonably obtainable scientific information standard when the Secretary enters into cooperative agreements with such States to establish and maintain an adequate and active program for the conservation of endangered and threatened plant species. (Sec. 104) Increases the number of public hearings required with respect to the listing of an endangered or threatened species. Directs the Secretary to consider in such a determination the existence of public or private breeding or hatchery programs for a species. Requires all findings (currently, limited) with respect to a petitioned action to review a determination to be subject to judicial review. (Sec. 107) Changes the standard which allows the Secretary to make an emergency regulation with respect to a species from the presence of conditions imposing a significant risk to the well-being of such species to conditions providing an imminent threat to the existence of such species. Title II: Broadening the Recovery Plan to Constitute a Conservation Plan and Making the Conservation Plan Central to the Implementation of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 - Directs the Secretary, upon a determination that a species is endangered or threatened, to: (1) issue appropriate incidental taking permits; (2) enter into appropriate Federal-State cooperative management agreements with respect to such species; or (3) commence the development of a conservation objective as established under this section. Directs the Secretary to publish a conservation objective for an affected species within 30 days after the issuance of an assessment and planning team report concerning biological, economical, and intergovernmental assessments of the consequences of listing a species as endangered or threatened. Directs the Secretary, after considering such report, to publish a conservation objective, a statement as to whether such objective was established, and a determination of whether to prepare a conservation plan for that species. Provides, with respect to any conservation plan determined necessary by the Secretary, for: (1) a time schedule; (2) plan priorities; (3) alternative strategies to achieve the conservation objective; (4) procedures (consultation, publication and public comment, and hearings); (5) publication of a final conservation plan; and (6) participation by appropriate persons in the development, implementation, and revision of conservation plans. Authorizes the Secretary to designate critical habitats, requiring the best reasonably obtainable scientific information to be used in such designation, and requiring any economic impacts to be considered. Provides instances under which the actions of a Federal agency shall be determined to be consistent with a conservation plan or objective established under this Act. Provides transition provisions for the period before which a conservation objective or plan is established or implemented. Authorizes the suspension of a conservation plan or objective in certain circumstances. Requires the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees on plan or objective implementation and to review and revise such plans or objectives. (Sec. 202) Provides transitional provisions with respect to: (1) expedited conservation plan issuance; (2) existing species recovery plans; and (3) the review and reissuance of biological opinions in conjunction with the issuance of a conservation objective or plan. (Sec. 203) Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Act in order to include conservation objectives and plans with respect to endangered or threatened species, as well as critical habitat designations, within the central focus of management under the Act. Title III: Improving the Consultation and Conferencing Processes for Federal Agency Actions - Requires consultation and conferencing standards between appropriate Federal agencies and the affected States to include an assurance by the Federal agency that a proposed action will not destroy or adversely modify any habitat designated as critical in a manner that is likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the species. Exempts certain actions of the Secretary from the consultation and conferencing requirements. Specifies those agency actions that shall not be considered takings for purposes of a listed species. (Sec. 303) Provides consultation conclusion deadlines. (Currently, such consultation is permitted for 90 days or any period of time mutually agreed upon by the Secretary and the Federal agency.) (Sec. 304) Entitles a permit or license applicant for the taking of a species on an endangered or threatened list to participate fully in any consultation or conferencing required between the Secretary and the Federal agency with respect to such application. (Sec. 305) Provides that if the Secretary determines that a proposed agency action is likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the species, the Secretary shall suggest reasonable and prudent alternatives that impose the least social and economic costs. (Sec. 306) Outlines procedural requirements when the listing or determination related to a species requires consultation on a land use plan or land or resource management plan under specified Federal laws. (Sec. 307) Requires use of the best reasonably obtained scientific information when determining reasonable and prudent alternatives to proposed agency action with respect to an endangered or threatened species. Authorizes a Federal agency to request the President to resolve irreconcilable conflicts between agency actions and other duties assigned to such agency. (Sec. 308) Prohibits the Secretary and the head of any Federal agency, in carrying out actions with respect to endangered or threatened species, from requiring, providing for, or recommending the imposition of any restriction or obligation on the activity of a person that is not otherwise subject to regulation by such agency. (Sec. 309) Requires specified endangered species risk assessment and cost-benefit analyses to be included in the consultation process. (Sec. 310) Terminates the Endangered Species Committee. Authorizes the Secretary and the President to grant exemptions from the Act for national security or major disaster reasons. Title IV: Ensuring That the Compliance Procedures and Standards for Non-Federal Persons Are Not More Burdensome Than the Procedures and Standards Applicable to Federal Agencies - Establishes consultation procedures between the Secretary and non-Federal persons with respect to a determination of consistency with an established conservation plan or objective, including the issuance of a permit when the Secretary determines that the person's activity is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the species or when the person has accepted a reasonable and prudent alternative to such activity. Provides for: (1) permit revocation for noncompliance; and (2) permits for incidental takings. (Sec. 402) Defines the "taking" and "harming" of a species for purposes of the Act. (Sec. 403) Excludes specified takings by non-Federal persons from current prohibitions against takings under the Act. (Sec. 404) Authorizes the Secretary, under specified circumstances including notice and opportunity for public hearing, to issue a general permit on a county, parish, State, regional, or nationwide basis for any category of activities that may affect a species that is included on an endangered or threatened list. Limits to five years the duration of such a permit and authorizes the Secretary to revoke or modify the permit upon a determination of greater than minimal impact on the species in question. (Sec. 405) Provides that, with respect to permits issued by the Secretary to non-Federal persons under the Act: (1) the Secretary may not require the applicant to expand the application to include land or water rights not owned by the applicant or to address a species other than the species for which the application is made; (2) no additional measures will be required of a permittee who is already in compliance with the permit, unless extraordinary circumstances are present (with burden of proof upon the Secretary); (3) the Secretary shall pay 50 percent of the costs of implementing the terms and conditions of the permit; (4) the Secretary may issue interim (temporary) permits; and (5) the Secretary may assist such person in the development of a multiple species non-Federal conservation plan for the conservation of more than one endangered or threatened species. (Sec. 406) Authorizes the Secretary and the Secretary of Agriculture to encourage exchanges of land, waters, or related interests other than national park or wilderness units in order to protect habitat on non-Federal lands. Title V: Providing for Habitat Conservation Incentive Programs - Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with a State or group of States, a political subdivision of a State, or a local government for the administration and management of each area identified as a species' habitat. Provides, with respect to such agreements, for: (1) notification to affected parties; (2) species assessment; (3) submission, notification, and approval of, and public comments with respect to, such agreements; (4) critical habitat designation; (5) procedures for agreement violations; and (6) a Federal cost-sharing requirement of 50 percent of the costs of implementation. (Sec. 502) Provides grants to non-Federal persons for the habitat preservation of endangered or threatened species. Title VI: Other Amendments Making the Endangered Species Act of 1973 More Effective and Less Burdensome - Provides additional requirements to be followed during the release of experimental populations (the release of a species outside of its current range), including that such releases take place only in units of the National Park or National Wildlife Refuge System. (Sec. 602) Directs the Secretary to recognize and authorizes the Secretary to utilize captive propagation to protect or conserve an endangered or threatened species. Authorizes the Secretary to provide annual grants to non-Federal persons for such purposes. (Sec. 604) Provides priority in the issuance of permits for those whose purpose is to conduct research on alternative methods and technologies for reducing the incidental taking of an endangered or threatened species. (Sec. 605) Authorizes the Secretary or the Secretary of the Treasury to pay costs incurred by a person in providing temporary care for any endangered or threatened species. (Sec. 606) Directs the Secretary to provide notice through the Federal Register and appropriate local publications of any hearing or other public meeting required under provisions of the Act. (Sec. 607) Directs the Secretary, in carrying out specified provisions of the Act, to ensure the minimization of the Act's impact on the use and value of private property. Protects the right of private property owners to receive compensation from the Government for the lost use or value of property caused by requirements of the Act. States that certain provisions of the Act do not apply to: (1) privately owned property of five contiguous acres or less, unless activity there presents an imminent threat to the existence of an endangered or threatened species; and (2) other property undertaking activities determined by the Secretary to be unlikely to jeopardize the continued existence of a species. Authorizes the institution of private actions to remedy economic injury caused by provisions of the Act. (Sec. 608) Requires any water rights acquired or used by any party under the Act to be exercised in accordance with the law in the State in which the water will be used. (Sec. 609) Directs the Secretary to pay 50 percent of the costs in excess of $10 million incurred by a non-Federal person or Federal power marketing administration resulting from compliance with any provision of a conservation plan under the Act. Authorizes the Secretary to pay a Federal share of costs less than or equal to $10 million. Directs the Secretary to pay 50 percent of the allowed costs incurred by such parties resulting from consultation requirements under the Act. (Sec. 610) Authorizes the public display or exhibition of living wildlife in order to educate the public about the ecological role and conservation needs of the affected species. Authorizes the issuance of educational permits for such persons. Defines captive-bred wildlife for purposes of the Federal captive-bred wildlife registration system. Title VII: Authorizing Increased Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for the Act for FY 1996 through 2001. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of the Interior for such fiscal years for: (1) cooperative management agreements; (2) convention implementation; (3) non-Federal conservation planning; and (4) habitat reserve grants.
Bill· HRH.R. 1581 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1995
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain Department of Agriculture lands to the City of Sumpter, Oregon, for public use.
Bill· HRH.R. 1591 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Department of Commerce Grants Title II: Public Works and Job Restoration Subtitle A: Jobs 2000 Subtitle B: Employment in Support of Community Renewal Subtitle C: Employment Activities; Repair and Renovation of Educational Facilities Title III: General Provisions Job Creation and Infrastructure Restoration Act of 1995 - Title I: Department of Commerce Grants - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make grants to any State or local government for construction, renovation, repair, restoration, or other improvement of local public works projects, including those for which Federal financial assistance is authorized under other titles or Acts. Limits the Federal share to not more than 90 percent of project cost. Prohibits any new grants after the expiration of any three-month period during which the national unemployment rate remains below five percent for each such month, or after September 30, 1999, whichever occurs first. (Sec. 103) Provides for allocation of funds and for preferences. Gives priority to State or local governments with unemployment rates higher than the national average. Requires State and local prioritization of applications. Allows localization of unemployment determinations. (Sec. 105) Sets forth general limitations, including Buy American and minority participation requirements and applicability of laws regarding individuals with disabilities. Requires public authorities, as part of the process of competitive bidding for contract awards under this Act, to: (1) seek to obtain Project Agreements with Building Trades Councils, including the establishment of Project Committees; and (2) assign to each project an enforcement official to enforce standards under this Act and Project Committee orders. (Sec. 106) Authorizes appropriations and deems them to be emergency spending. Title II: Public Works and Job Restoration - Subtitle A: Jobs 2000 - Jobs 2000 Act of 1995 - Provides for jobs for the unemployed and underemployed, especially youth, through payments for labor and related costs for: (1) construction, repair, or rehabilitation of community and educational facilities; (2) reclamation and conservation of public lands; and (3) creation, repair, rehabilitation, and restoration of public safety, public transportation, health, social services, and recreation facilities and other activities necessary to the public welfare. (Sec. 203) Sets forth participant eligibility and certification requirements, duration and extent of subsidized employment, participation priorities, special considerations for welfare recipients and veterans, and equal employment opportunities for traditionally underrepresented groups. (Sec. 204) Requires that at least 75 percent of funds made available to any recipient under subtitles B and C be used for wages and related employment benefits for work which the recipient certifies has been performed in authorized activities. Sets forth other limitations on use of funds, except training costs in specified circumstances. Subtitle B: Employment in Support of Community Renewal - Part A: Community Improvement Projects - Requires participants to be employed in community improvement projects in various specified activities under the categories of: (1) repair, rehabilitation, or improvement of public facilities; (2) conservation, restoration, rehabilitation, or improvement of public lands; and (3) public safety, health, social service, and other activities necessary to public welfare. (Sec. 210) Provides for joint programs, public lands projects limitations, eligibility and qualification of administrative entities, allotment of funds, requirements for receipt of funds, reports, and project design priorities and coordination. Requires, in the case of projects or activities that involve construction, reconstruction, repair, or renovation of physical structures, that: (1) each project for which a grant is made under this title be performed by contract on the basis of competitive bidding, unless the Secretary finds that an alternative method is in the public interest under circumstances related to the project; and (2) public authorities awarding such contracts seek Project Agreements with Building Trades Councils, including establishing Project Committees, and assign project enforcement officers. Part B: Community Improvement and Renewal Activities for Youth Trainees - Authorizes use of funds for wages and benefits for eligible youth for part-time employment up to 32 hours per week in authorized youth trainee activities at a work site of a public or private nonprofit or for-profit employer, in a manner which requires and is consistent with enrollment in high school, an equivalency program, or a program of basic skills, skills training, or employability development for at least eight hours per week. (Sec. 221) Provides for joint programs, youth eligibility requirements, exemption from unemployment duration requirements, priority for the economically disadvantaged, and equitable service for school dropouts. Part C: State Job Programs - Reserves five percent of State allotments for: (1) authorized State-administered programs and activities; (2) special assistance for areas with sudden or severe economic dislocations; (3) State-directed emergency aid to cope with natural disasters; and (4) special assistance to seasonal farmworkers and small farmers in areas with severe economic disruption. (Sec. 231) Sets forth requirements for program and activity selection and design. Subtitle C: Employment Activities; Repair and Renovation of Educational Facilities - Part A: Elementary and Secondary School Facility Improvement - Requires making funds under this part available to any eligible local education agency in an eligible jurisdiction to provide employment to eligible participants in repair, renovation, restoration, or rehabilitation of public school facilities. (Sec. 241) Provides for use of quick-start projects, permitted uses of funds, tribal school projects, allotment of funds, and receipt requirements. Part B: Higher Education Facility Improvement Projects - Requires funds under this part to be made available to higher education institutions in eligible jurisdictions to provide employment to eligible participants in work on repair, restoration, renovation, or rehabilitation of academic facilities. (Sec. 251) Provides for use of quick-start projects, permitted uses of funds, selection of projects, allotment of funds, and receipt requirements. Part C: Special Definitions for Subtitle C - Sets forth special definitions for subtitle C. Part D: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations. Title III: General Provisions - Sets forth general requirements, including wage rates, labor standards, fiscal controls and sanctions, and judicial review procedures.
Bill· SS. 753 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1995
Authorizes contributions toward cooperative work in forest investigations or protection, management, and improvement of the National Forest System to be covered into a special Treasury fund and paid for such purposes and for refunds of amounts paid in excess of a contributor's share of the cost. Authorizes payment for such purposes to be made from any Forest Service appropriation that is available for similar work if a written agreement so provides and reimbursement will be provided by a cooperator in the same fiscal year as the expenditure by the Service. Requires a reimbursement received from a cooperator that covers his or her proportionate share of the cost of the work to be deposited to the credit of the Service's appropriation from which the payment was initially made or, if the appropriation is no longer available, to the credit of the Service's appropriation that is available for similar work. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish: (1) criteria to determine whether the acceptance of contributions under this Act would adversely affect the ability of a Department of Agriculture officer or employee to carry out his or her duty or program in a fair and objective manner; and (2) written rules that protect the Service's interests in cooperative work agreements.
Bill· SS. 746 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Work-Related Reforms Title II: Reforms of AFDC and Treatment of Teenage Parents Subtitle A: AFDC Reforms Subtitle B: Teenage Parents Title III: Strengthening Parental Responsibility and Family Stability Subtitle A: Federal Responsibilities Subtitle B: Paternity Establishment Subtitle C: Enforcement Subtitle D: State Responsibilities Subtitle E: Demonstrations, Grants, and Miscellaneous Subtitle F: Tax Reforms Title IV: Child Care Reforms Title V: Equity Investment Subtitle A: Equity Investment Development Zones Subtitle B: Equity Investment in Qualified Companies Subtitle C: Assistance to Qualified Companies Receiving Equity Investments Title VI: Effective Date Economic Opportunity and Family Responsibility Act of 1995 - Title I: Work-Related Reforms - Amends parts A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) and F (Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training Program) (JOBS) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) increase JOBS funding as well as matching and participation rates; (2) revise JOBS participation requirements, among other changes establishing a minimum period under AFDC for participating in JOBS, and including certain child-related volunteer work and higher education and vocational training costs as JOBS activities; (3) allow State JOBS programs to use limited JOBS funding for conducting training and employment opportunity programs for noncustodial parents; (4) require State AFDC plans to provide for one-stop centers at which low-income individuals can obtain information on and help in applying for various specified types of public assistance, including housing and transportation assistance, unemployment insurance, and health and child care; and (5) require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish guidelines for staffing State agencies operating or overseeing such public assistance. (Sec. 107) Directs the Secretary to enter into an agreement with an eligible entity to conduct a demonstration project to provide certain AFDC recipients with a private sector job and employment-related support services. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Reforms of AFDC and Treatment of Teenage Parents - Subtitle A: AFDC Reforms - Amends SSA title IV part A to: (1) increase the earned income disregard; (2) give States the option of allowing families on AFDC to disregard as a resource up to $10,000 in a qualified asset account for education, training, employability, home buying, or change of residence purposes; and (3) repeal certain provisions creating a disincentive to marry, such as those requiring the parent who is the principal wage earner to have a recent work history, and those allowing States to limit the participation of families in AFDC to only six months in any 12-month period. Subtitle B: Teenage Parents - Modifies AFDC and JOBS provisions with regard to minor teenage parents, among other changes: (1) requiring them to live with their parents or in an adult-supervised living arrangement in order to receive AFDC, except under circumstances similar to those under current law, including those added by this Act which prohibit application of such requirement when it would prevent the individual's continued participation in an approved substance abuse treatment program; and (2) requiring State JOBS programs to impose certain educational and job-related activity requirements with respect to such parents who have not completed high school. (Sec. 202) Directs the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on the use of qualified asset accounts established pursuant to this Act. Title III: Strengthening Parental Responsibility and Family Stability - Subtitle A: Federal Responsibilities - Amends SSA title IV part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) to make various specified changes, chief among them changes with respect to: (1) expansion of Federal Parent Locator Service (FPLS) functions and systems; (2) establishment of a Federal child support order registry composed of all child support orders in State registries established below for comparison with information from W-4 forms provided by employers on the child support obligations of employees for forwarding to the appropriate State under a national system established by the Secretary of Treasury for reporting employees and child support information; and (3) incentive and other payments to the States, including incentive adjustments to the Federal matching rate, an increased base matching rate, and increased Federal financial participation for States with unified child support enforcement programs. (Sec. 308) Requires the Secretary to promulgate new criteria and standards which emphasize program outcomes for: (1) auditing State child support programs; and (2) establishing a system for reporting relevant audit data. (Sec. 309) Establishes the National Child Support Guidelines Commission to develop a national child support guideline to recommend to the President and the Congress for consideration. (Sec. 310) Directs the Secretary to establish the Child Support Audit Advisory Committee to assist the Secretary in developing revised audit criteria and standards for use above. Subtitle B: Paternity Establishment - Provides for the following, among other things, in order to further paternity establishment: (1) State procedures for a simple civil process for voluntary acknowledgement of paternity that include a hospital-based program for making such acknowledgements and require the State agency responsible for birth records to offer voluntary paternity establishment services; (2) outreach programs at hospitals and other facilities to encourage voluntary paternity acknowledgement; (3) expedited State procedures for ordering genetic tests as part of the State's civil procedures for establishment of paternity; and (4) reduced State payments as penalties for failing to establish paternity promptly. Subtitle C: Enforcement - Provides for the following, among other things, in order to further enforcement efforts under child support programs: (1) State procedures for obtaining access to financial records maintained by financial institutions in the State, and for requiring State courts and administrative agencies with final authority over support or parentage orders to require each party subject to such order to file with it certain identifying information on where the party can be reached at home and at work; (2) additional benefits subject to garnishment; (3) State hold on occupational, professional, and business licenses based on a warrant or delinquency related to child support; (4) Federal holds based on support delinquency; (5) State denial of driver's licenses and vehicle registrations to noncustodial parents failing to appear in child support cases; (6) liens by the State on personal property for child support arrearages; (7) reporting of the total amount of monthly support obligations to credit bureaus; (8) denial of passports to noncustodial parents subject to State arrest warrants in cases of nonpayment of child support; (9) extension of the age through which a State could pursue back child support; and (10) expanded use of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to collect delinquent child support using tax collection authority. (Sec. 323) Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to allow access to credit reports for an appropriate State agency for use in establishing, modifying, or enforcing a child support award. Subtitle D: State Responsibilities - Provides for the following, among other things, in order to facilitate enforcement efforts under child support programs: (1) State procedures for establishment of automated central child support order registries for use in the national system above; (2) State transmission of wage withholding orders for overdue child support to the employer of the individual owing the support in order for the employer to withhold the appropriate amount from the employee's wages for forwarding to the State registry for support and health insurance premium payments due; (3) State child support enforcement agency access to various data bases with information regarding absent parents; (4) uniform terms in support orders; (5) State laws adopting the officially approved version of the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act; and (6) outreach to persons eligible for State child support services. (Sec. 347) Provides for cost-of-living adjustment of child support awards as well as for new procedures for adjusting certain child support orders and preventing conflicts of interest. (Sec. 350) Requires the Secretary to conduct staffing studies of each State child support enforcement program for a report to the Congress, reducing payments to a State failing to meet performance standards and recommended staffing levels. (Sec. 351) Provides for State and Federal training for State child and spousal support enforcement personnel. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 352) Revises requirements for the distribution of proceeds. (Sec. 353) Gives States the authority to waive temporarily the right to collect child support obligations of teen noncustodial parents who are participating in a State educational or employment preparation program. Requires State guidelines for child support awards to provide that if the State agency determines that a noncustodial parent who has not attained 20 years of age owes but is unable to pay child support, then the State may, in lieu of enforcing the right to such support for such period as it considers appropriate, allow the parent to choose to comply with an educational or job training program. Subtitle E: Demonstrations, Grants, and Miscellaneous - Directs the Secretary to make grants to a limited number of States to conduct demonstration projects for the purpose of: (1) establishing or improving a system of assured minimum child support payments in order to encourage States to provide a guaranteed minimum level of child support for every eligible child not receiving such support; (2) establishing a simple process for the modification of child support orders based on changed family circumstances; and (3) providing services to noncustodial parents unable to meet child support obligations due to unemployment or underemployment. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 364) Authorizes appropriations for grants to States for programs to support and facilitate absent parents' access to and visitation of their children. (Sec. 365) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to make a technical correction to its definition of medical support order. Subtitle F: Tax Reforms - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the quarterly lump sum advance payment of the earned income tax credit. Directs the Commissioner of Internal Revenue to expand the Tax Counseling for the Elderly program to include assistance to certain low-income families, with outreach targeted to families on AFDC, food stamps, and child care assistance through SSA title IV part G. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Child Care Reforms - Amends SSA title IV to add a new part G (Child Care for Needy Families Block Grant) for the purpose of encouraging and enabling each State to develop, establish, or expand, and to operate a program to provide child care services. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 403) Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to give States the option of extending Medicaid enrollment for an additional year for former AFDC recipients making the transition from welfare to work. Title V: Equity Investment - Equity Investment Development Act of 1995 - Subtitle A: Equity Investment Development Zones - Requires the appropriate Secretaries (the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in the case of any area nominated for designation located in an urban area and the Secretary of Agriculture in the case of any area nominated that is in a rural area) to designate ten areas as equity investment development zones in accordance with the designation process and eligibility criteria outlined in this title. Subtitle B: Equity Investments in Qualified Companies - Requires the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to: (1) establish a single rate of interest applicable to all reserves, making any necessary adjustments on a quarterly basis; and (2) on March 1 of each year, calculate the imputed earnings on all reserves during the preceding calendar year, based on the rate of interest established above, and any adjustments to such rate effected prior to March 1, and then, with certain exceptions, issue a certificate to each insured depository institution to make an equity investment in one or more qualified companies, transfer to the Community Equity Investment Corporation established below, or sell to a third party. Requires the face value of such certificate to equal the imputed earnings on the reserves maintained by that insured depository institution during the applicable calendar year. Establishes procedures for reimbursement relating to direct investment. Provides for the transferability of certificates, with certain exceptions. States that each certificate shall expire two years after the certificate is issued. (Sec. 531) Establishes the Community Equity Investment Corporation as a for-profit corporation incorporated in Delaware. (Sec. 533) Prohibits the common stock of the Corporation from being transferable before expiration of the five-year period beginning with the Corporation's incorporation. Provides that during the five-year period beginning on the expiration of the five year period above, the common stock of the Corporation shall be transferable only among insured depository institutions that own common stock in the Corporation on or before the expiration of such five-year period. (Sec. 534) Establishes procedures for the dissolution of the Corporation. Subtitle C: Assistance to Qualified Companies Receiving Equity Investments - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a wage supplementation program. Describes such program, allowing it to operate at the option of a State which would use the funds available to pay the benefits to families on AFDC or food stamps to instead pay participating employers as an incentive for such families to work in lieu of receiving such benefits. Title VI: Effective Date - Specifies effective dates of this Act and the amendments made by it.
Bill· HRH.R. 1561 (104th)failed
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Division A: Consolidation of Foreign Affairs Agencies Title I: General Provisions Title II: United States Arms Control and Disarmament Agency Title III: United States Information Agency Title IV: Agency for International Development Title V: Transition Division B: Foreign Relations Authorizations Title XX: General Provisions Title XXI: Authorization of Appropriations for Department of State and Certain International Affairs Functions and Activities Title XXII: Department of State Authorities and Activities Title XXIII: Organization of the Department of State; Department of State Personnel, The Foreign Service Title XXIV: United States Public Diplomacy: Authorities and Activities for United States Informational, Educational, and Cultural Programs Title XXV: International Organizations and Commissions Title XXVI: Foreign Policy Provisions Title XXVII: Congressional Statements Division C: Foreign Assistance Authorizations Title XXXI: Defense and Security Assistance Title XXXII: Economic Assistance Title XXXIII: Regional Provisions Title XXXIV: Special Authorities and Other Provisions Title XXXV: Effective Date American Overseas Interests Act of 1995 - Division A: Consolidation of Foreign Affairs Agencies - Title I: General Provisions - Foreign Affairs Agencies Consolidation Act of 1995 - Sets forth congressional findings and purposes regarding the reorganization of U.S. foreign affairs agencies. Title II: United States Arms Control and Disarmament Agency - Abolishes the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency. Transfers functions of the Director of such Agency to the Secretary of State. Directs the President to submit a reorganization plan with respect to the transfer of such functions to the appropriate congressional committees. (Sec. 222) Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to establish in the Department of State: (1) an Under Secretary for International Security and Arms Control; (2) a Coordinator for Arms Control and Disarmament; and (3) Assistant Secretaries for Arms Control and Disarmament and for Nonproliferation and Export Controls, respectively. (Sec. 242) Repeals sections of the Arms Control and Disarmament Act relating to the establishment of the Agency and appointment of officials. Makes conforming amendments with respect to the transfer of authorities to the Department of State. Title III: United States Information Agency - Abolishes the U.S. Information Agency (USIA) and transfers the functions of the Director of the Agency to the Secretary. Directs the President to submit a reorganization plan with respect to the transfer of such functions to the appropriate congressional committees. (Sec. 322) Establishes in the Department of State: (1) an Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy; and (2) Assistant Secretaries for Academic Programs and Cultural Exchanges and for Information, Policy, and Programs, respectively. (Sec. 341) Makes conforming amendments with respect to the transfer of such functions to the Department of State. Title IV: Agency for International Development - Abolishes the Agency for International Development (AID) and the International Development Cooperation Agency. Transfers such agencies' functions to the Secretary. Directs the President to submit a reorganization plan with respect to the transfer of such functions to the appropriate congressional committees. (Sec. 422) Establishes an Under Secretary for Development, Trade Promotion, and Economic Affairs to head an International Development Foundation. Requires all functions under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to be carried out through the Foundation. (Sec. 442) Makes conforming amendments with respect to the transfer of functions to the Department of State. Title V: Transition - Sets forth transition administrative provisions regarding: (1) the Secretary's reorganization authorities; (2) the transfer and allocation of appropriations and personnel; (3) specified incidental transfers of personnel, liabilities, records, and funds; (4) effects of terminations and transfers of functions on personnel; and (5) voluntary separation incentives. (Sec. 510) Requires the President to submit a final accounting of the finances and operations of the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, USIA, and AID to the appropriate congressional committees. Division B: Foreign Relations Authorizations - Title XX: General Provisions - Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1996 and 1997 - Sets forth definitions. Title XXI: Authorization of Appropriations for Department of State and Certain International Affairs Functions and Activities - Authorizes appropriations for the Department of State for FY 1996 and 1997 for: (1) the administration of foreign affairs; (2) contributions to international organizations and international peacekeeping activities; (3) international conferences and contingencies; (4) purposes of offsetting adverse fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; (5) international commissions; (6) migration and refugee assistance; (7) the Asia Foundation; (8) international information activities and educational and cultural exchange programs; and (9) purposes of carrying out the Arms Control and Disarmament Act. Earmarks funds for specified organizations and activities. (Sec. 2102) Makes funds available to the International Atomic Energy Agency only if the Secretary reports to the appropriate congressional committees that Israel is not being denied its right to participate in the Agency. Bars the use of international organization funds for programs for Libya, Iran, or Communist countries listed under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. Withholds certain amounts of funds from the United Nations Development Program unless the President certifies that the Program has terminated activities in and for Burma (a.k.a. Myanmar). Prohibits international peacekeeping funds from being made available for contributions to the United Nations Protection Force unless the President reports to the Congress that: (1) the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina supports the continued presence of such Force within its territory; (2) the Force is carrying out its mandate under specified Security Council resolutions; (3) the Force is providing support to the efforts of the United Nations War Crimes Tribunal to investigate and prosecute war crimes and support to diplomatic, military, and relief personnel; and (4) the Force has investigated and taken appropriate action against any personnel suspected of participating in illegal or improper activities. Makes the authorization of appropriations for international conferences and contingencies effective only after the Secretary makes a certification regarding the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China, and accreditation of certain nongovernmental organizations. (Sec. 2104) Bars the use of migration and refugee assistance funds for salaries and administrative expenses of the Bureau of Migration and Refugee Assistance. Prohibits the use of such assistance for the repatriation of any person to Vietnam, Laos, or Cambodia unless the President makes a specified certification regarding the status of such persons as refugees and whether they have been offered resettlement outside their countries of nationality. Title XXII: Department of State Authorities and Activities - Adds to the list of actions for which rewards are available the furnishing of information leading to the arrest or conviction of any individual aiding or abetting in acts of international terrorism against U.S. persons or property or in certain narcotics-related offenses. Authorizes appropriations, with limitations. (Sec. 2205) Directs the Secretary to develop a worldwide plan for the consolidation, on a regional or area wide basis, of U.S. missions and consular posts abroad. (Sec. 2231) Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 to limit the amount of fees collected from processing machine readable visas that may be deposited as an offsetting collection to any Department of State appropriation. Removes provisions which prohibit fees from being charged to citizens of countries that are signatories to the North American Free Trade Agreement. (Sec. 2232) Requires visa applicants who are determined to have a criminal history record, have been present in the United States, and are more than 16 years of age to provide a fingerprint record for submission with the application. Directs the Department of State to submit such record to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for analysis to determine whether the applicant has been convicted of a felony under State or Federal law. (Sec. 2233) Sets aside a percentage of the fees collected in FY 1996 and 1997 for expedited passport processing for enhancing passport services, investigating passport fraud, and deterring entry into the United States by terrorists and other criminals. (Sec. 2252) Directs the President to report to the appropriate congressional committees every six months on the methods employed by the Cuban Government to enforce the United States--Cuba Immigration Agreement of September 1994 to restrict the emigration of Cuban people to the United States. (Sec. 2253) Amends the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1990 to extend through FY 1997 a provision which authorizes admission into the United States of a specified number of refugees from the independent states of the former Soviet Union (independent states), Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania based on religious persecution due to participation in the Ukrainian Catholic or Orthodox churches. Makes FY 1997 the latest allowable entry date for specified aliens from the former Soviet Union, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia for purposes of qualifying for adjustment of status. Title XXIII: Organization of the Department of State; Department of State Personnel; The Foreign Service - Establishes a Coordinator for Counterterrorism within the office of the Secretary. (Sec. 2302) Establishes within the Department of State a U.S. Special Envoy for Tibet. (Sec. 2303) Establishes a Coordinator for Human Rights and Refugees within the office of the Secretary. Repeals provisions that provide for an Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. Establishes the Bureau of Refugee and Migration Assistance within the Department of State. (Sec. 2304) Repeals provisions of law which provide for: (1) an Assistant Secretary for South Asian Affairs; (2) a Deputy Assistant Secretary for Burden sharing; and (3) a Bureau and Assistant Secretary for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs. (Sec. 2305) Establishes an Assistant Secretary for Human Resources within the Department of State. (Sec. 2351) Establishes limits on the number of Foreign Service personnel in the Department of State, USIA, and AID during FY 1996 and 1997. Provides for a waiver of such limitations as necessary to carry out foreign affairs functions. (Sec. 2352) Repeals provisions of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 that provide for performance pay for Senior Foreign Service personnel. Title XXIV: United States Public Diplomacy: Authorities and Activities for United States Informational, Educational, and Cultural Programs - Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993 to eliminate the permanent authorization for the Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange between North and South. (Sec. 2403) Requires the USIA Director to establish educational and cultural exchange programs between the United States and Hong Kong and Tibet, respectively. (Sec. 2405) Provides for scholarships to Tibetan and Burmese students and professionals who are outside their countries. (Sec. 2406) Authorizes the USIA Director to make available, upon request, computer readable multilingual text and recorded speech in various languages to the Linguistic Data Consortium of the University of Pennsylvania. (Sec. 2431) Amends the United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 to increase the number of members on the Broadcasting Board of Governors. (Sec. 2432) Requires the USIA Director to submit a plan for the establishment and operation of Radio Free Asia to the Congress. (Sec. 2433) Requires the USIA Director to make grants for broadcasting to China, Burma, Cambodia, Laos, North Korea, Tibet, and Vietnam for purposes of providing broadcasting on an interim basis before Radio Free Asia becomes fully operational. Title XXV: International Organizations and Commissions - Authorizes the Secretary to make improvements to the Rio Grande Canalization Project. (Sec. 2521) Permits the President to withhold 20 percent of the funds appropriated for the U.S. assessed contribution to the United Nations if the United Nations has failed to implement consensus-based decision making procedures on budgetary matters which assure that sufficient attention is paid to the views of the United States and other member states who are major financial contributors. (Sec. 2523) Prohibits U.S. contributions to any affiliated organization of the United Nations or to the United Nations if they grant full membership as a state to a group that does not have internationally recognized attributes of statehood. (Sec. 2524) Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the management of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Title XXVI: Foreign Policy Provisions - Provides that certain provisions of the Taiwan Relations Act concerning defense articles and services and the determination of Taiwan's defense needs supersede any provision of the Joint Communique of the United States and China of August 17, 1982. (Sec. 2602) Requires the Secretary to report annually to specified congressional officials on conditions in Tibet and on the state of relations between the United States and those recognized by the Congress as the true representatives of the Tibetan people, the Dalai Lama, his representatives, and the Tibetan government in exile. Expresses the sense of the Congress that whenever an executive branch report is transmitted to the Congress on a country-by-country basis there should be included a separate report on Tibet. (Sec. 2603) Bosnia Genocide Justice Act - Urges the President to take specified steps to assist efforts to investigate and prosecute those responsible for war crimes and other violations of international humanitarian law committed in the former Yugoslavia since 1991. (Sec. 2642) Sets forth minimum conditions relating to nuclear nonproliferation that the President should uphold in negotiations with North Korea. (Sec. 2643) Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) South Korea should play the central role in the project to provide light water reactors to North Korea; and (2) the President should not take steps toward upgrading diplomatic relations with North Korea beyond opening liaison offices or relaxing trade and investment barriers without action by North Korea to engage in a dialogue with South Korea, implementation of the North-South Declaration on the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and progress toward U.S. policy objectives regarding North Korea and the Korean Peninsula. (Sec. 2645) Makes the provision of assistance to North Korea or the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization contingent on the same terms that govern such assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. (Sec. 2651) Sets forth U.S. policy with respect to encouraging the United Nations Security Council to take certain steps against Burma. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should reduce the U.S. diplomatic presence in Burma. Title XXVII: Congressional Statements - Declares that the Secretary, in allocating resources for international organizations, should pay particular attention to funding levels of the Inter- American organizations. (Sec. 2702) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should refuse to recognize the incorporation of any territory of Bosnia-Herzegovina into the territory of a neighboring state or the creation of a new state within Bosnia's borders resulting from the use of force, coercion, or other means inconsistent with international law. (Sec. 2703) Expresses the sense of the Congress with respect to calling upon the Chinese Government to dismantle the Laogai (system of forced labor camps). (Sec. 2704) Expresses the sense of the Congress that none of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act may be obligated to normalize diplomatic relations with Vietnam until Vietnam: (1) releases all of its political and religious prisoners; (2) accounts for American prisoners-of-war and missing in action from the Vietnam War; (3) holds democratic elections; and (4) institutes policies which protect human rights. (Sec. 2705) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should take specified actions with respect to: (1) promoting human and worker rights in China; and (2) requesting the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture to encourage the development and protection of treatment centers. Division C: Foreign Assistance Authorizations - Foreign Aid Reduction Act of 1995 - Title XXXI: Defense and Security Assistance - Authorizes appropriations for the foreign military financing program under the Arms Export Control Act for FY 1996 and 1997. Earmarks amounts of assistance for Israel, Egypt, Greece, Turkey, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland. (Sec. 3121) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to increase the aggregate value of defense articles and services that may be drawn down under emergency circumstances. Revises authorities with respect to drawdowns for non-military assistance purposes. (Sec. 3122) Limits the value of additions to stockpiles in foreign countries in FY 1996 and 1997. Makes amounts available for such stockpiles in South Korea and Thailand. (Sec. 3123) Revises conditions on the transfer of excess defense articles and repeals specified provisions of existing law regarding such transfers. (Sec. 3141) Authorizes appropriations for international military education and training for FY 1996 and 1997. Permits such assistance to Indonesia only for specified military education and training for civilian personnel. (Sec. 3143) Authorizes the attendance without charge of foreign military and civilian defense personnel at test flight pilot schools in the United States pursuant to agreements providing for the exchange of students between U.S. and comparable foreign pilot schools. (Sec. 3151) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1996 and 1997 for antiterrorism assistance. (Sec. 3152) Repeals provisions that require certain congressional notifications and reports regarding antiterrorism assistance. (Sec. 3162) Authorizes the President to accept contributions from foreign governments to carry out international narcotics control activities. Repeals specified reporting and certification requirements with respect to international narcotics control currently applicable to years after FY 1995 and applies FY 1995 reporting and certification requirements to such years. (Sec. 3164) Permits international narcotics-related assistance to be provided notwithstanding any law (with specified exceptions) that restricts assistance to foreign countries if the President notifies the appropriate congressional committees in advance. (Sec. 3171) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1996 and 1997 for a nonproliferation and disarmament fund established under the Freedom for Russia and Emerging Eurasian Democracies and Open Markets Support Act of 1992. (Sec. 3181) Amends the Arms Export Control Act to revise congressional review procedures with respect to specified arms transfers. (Sec. 3182) Provides that presidential consent shall not be required for the transfer by a foreign country or international organization of defense articles sold by the United States if specified conditions are met. (Sec. 3184) Repeals specified reporting requirements with respect to price and availability estimates relating to proposed sales, and acquisitions, of defense articles or services. (Sec. 3188) Designates Australia, Egypt, Israel, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand as major non-North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies. (Sec. 3189) Raises the threshold on amounts of defense articles and services that trigger certification requirements prior to transfer. (Sec. 3191) Prohibits funds from being available to facilitate the sale of M-833 antitank shells or shells containing a depleted uranium penetrating component to any country other than a NATO member country, a major non-NATO ally, or Taiwan. Subjects such prohibition to a national security interest waiver. Title XXXII: Economic Assistance - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1996 and 1997 for economic support fund (ESF) assistance. Earmarks amounts for Israel, Egypt, the International Fund for Ireland, and law enforcement assistance. (Sec. 3211) Authorizes the President to provide funds and support to private sector enterprise funds for countries eligible to receive development assistance on the same basis as such funds and support are provided to Enterprise Funds for Poland and Hungary under the Support for East European Democracy (SEED) Act of 1989. Makes development and ESF assistance available for such funds. (Sec. 3212) Authorizes the President to provide funds and support to Enterprise Funds that are or have been established for purposes of promoting private sector development of countries in the Trans-Caucasus region. (Sec. 3213) Replaces provisions regarding the Private Sector Revolving Fund with provisions authorizing credit and training to micro- and small enterprises. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1996 and 1997 for such purposes. (Sec. 3214) Authorizes grant assistance to microenterprises in developing countries. (Sec. 3221) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1996 and 1997 for specified development assistance, including: (1) the Development Fund for Africa; (2) assistance for the independent states; (3) assistance for Eastern Europe and the Baltic states; (4) the Inter-American Foundation; and (5) the African Development Foundation. (Sec. 3222) Prohibits development assistance for voluntary population planning from being made available for organizations that support or participate in coercive abortions or involuntary sterilizations. (Sec. 3223) Makes ineligible for assistance (except humanitarian assistance or assistance for democratic political reform) any independent state that directs any action in violation of territorial integrity or national sovereignty of any other independent state. Prohibits assistance for purposes of enhancing the military capability of any independent state, with exceptions. Bars assistance to the Government of Russia if such government: (1) is not making progress in implementing comprehensive economic reforms based on market principles; and (2) applies or transfers assistance to any entity for purposes of expropriating or seizing ownership or control of assets, investments, or ventures. Provides for a permanent waiver of certain provisions of law with respect to assistance to the independent states (currently, such waiver is only applicable with respect to FY 1993 assistance). (Sec. 3224) Requires the President to report to the Congress every three years on the impact and effectiveness of development assistance on a country-by-country basis. (Sec. 3231) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1996 and 1997 for operating expenses of the agency primarily responsible for administering development assistance and for such agency's office of inspector general. (Sec. 3241) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1996 and 1997 for the provision of agricultural commodities under title II of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954. Prohibits funding for providing such commodities under title III of such Act. (Sec. 3251) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1996 and 1997 for administrative expenses to carry out worldwide shelter guaranteed loan programs. (Sec. 3261) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1996 and 1997 to carry out the Peace Corps Act. Earmarks a maximum amount for Peace Corps activities in the independent states. (Sec. 3263) Prohibits the use of Peace Corps funds for abortions. (Sec. 3271) Authorizes the President to provide international reconstruction assistance. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1996 and 1997 for international disaster assistance. (Sec. 3281) Prohibits funds under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 from being available to private and voluntary organizations which: (1) fail to provide documents to meet auditing requirements of the agency primarily responsible for administering development assistance; or (2) are not registered with such agency. (Sec. 3284) Withholds from obligation an amount equivalent to 110 percent of the total unpaid fully adjudicated parking fines owed to the District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, and New York by the government of a foreign country in a fiscal year until the Secretary of State certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that such fines are fully paid. Title XXXIII: Regional Provisions - Prohibits foreign assistance to any foreign government that has provided economic assistance to or engaged in nonmarket-based trade with the Government of Cuba. Waives such prohibition under specified conditions. (Sec. 3302) Permits development or ESF assistance for FY 1996 and 1997 to be made available to Nicaragua only if the Secretary of State certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that specified conditions regarding investigations of weapons caches and certain murders, prosecution of those involved in international terrorist or kidnapping rings, expropriation of U.S. property, civilian control over the military and police, and reforms in the judicial system have been met. (Sec. 3303) Makes Panama eligible to purchase defense articles and services under the Arms Export Control Act. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should negotiate a new base rights agreement with the Government of Panama. (Sec. 3305) Sets forth U.S. policy with respect to free passage through, and claims to territory in, the South China Sea. (Sec. 3306) Prohibits ESF, international military education and training, foreign military financing, and development assistance to the Government of Zaire for FY 1996 and 1997. Title XXXIV: Special Authorities and Other Provisions - Increases the amount authorized to be transferred between specified accounts under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Arms Export Control Act. (Sec. 3402) Authorizes the President, in order to provide for unanticipated contingencies in programs for which funds are provided under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, to use funds made available to carry out any provision of such Act for purposes of providing assistance authorized by other provisions. Repeals current provisions regarding contingencies and raises the ceiling on the amount provided for such authority. (Sec. 3403) Revises special authority provisions to authorize the President to provide assistance and loans under foreign assistance laws and the Arms Export Control Act, notwithstanding laws restricting such assistance, if to do so is vital to national interests. Retains specified annual ceilings with respect to such waivers and raises country limits. (Sec. 3404) Authorizes the President, for purposes of making an equitable settlement of termination claims under extraordinary contractual relief standards, to adopt as a contract or other obligation of the U.S. Government and assume any liabilities under, any contract with a U.S. or third-country contractor to carry out any program of foreign assistance that was subsequently terminated. (Sec. 3412) Prohibits funds made available to carry out the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 or the Arms Export Control Act from being provided to any foreign government engaged in intelligence activities harmful to U.S. national security. (Sec. 3413) Authorizes the President to reduce amounts owed to the U.S. Government as a result of loans or guarantees issued under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 or credits or guarantees extended under the Arms Export Control Act. Makes eligible for such debt reduction countries with a heavy debt burden that are eligible to borrow from the International Development Association but not from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and countries that meet other specified conditions concerning military expenditures, terrorism, narcotics control, and human rights. Permits such authority only to implement multilateral debt relief ad referendum agreements (the Paris Club Agreed Minutes) and only to the extent that appropriations for the modifications are made in advance. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1996 and 1997. (Sec. 3414) Authorizes the President, subject to certain conditions, to sell to an eligible purchaser concessional loans made before January 1, 1995, to the government of an eligible country or reduce or cancel such loans on receipt of payment from an eligible purchaser for purposes of facilitating debt-for-equity, -development, or -nature swaps or debt buybacks by eligible countries to support specified activities. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1996 and 1997. (Sec. 3415) Prohibits the use of funds under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide: (1) any financial incentive to a business for purposes of inducing it to relocate outside the United States if it will reduce the number of employees in the United States; (2) assistance for developing an export processing zone or designated area in which a country's tax, tariff, labor, environment, and safety laws do not apply to activities in the area, unless the President certifies that such assistance is not likely to cause a loss of jobs within the United States; or (3) assistance for any project that contributes to the violation of workers' rights. Exempts assistance for microenterprises, small-scale enterprises, or small-holder agriculture in the informal sector of the foreign country from such prohibition. (Sec. 3416) Prohibits assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 or the Arms Export Control Act to any foreign government that provides lethal military equipment to a country whose government supports international terrorism. Waives such prohibition if such assistance is important to national security interests. (Sec. 3421) Repeals specified foreign assistance laws. Title XXXV: Effective Date - Makes the effective date of this Act the later of the enactment date or October 1, 1995.