Climate

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Authorization Act of 1991

United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1991

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Authorization Act of 1991 - Title I: National Ocean Service - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Commerce for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for: (1) mapping, charting, and geodesy; (2) observation and assessment; and (3) ocean and coastal management. Prohibits funds under this Act from being used to conduct analyses of samples collected under the National Status and Trends Program until completion of a specified water circulation model for Long Island Sound. Earmarks observation and assessment funds for such a model. Title II: National Marine Fisheries Service - Amends the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Fisheries Program Authorization Act to authorize appropriations to the Department of Commerce for the National Marine Fisheries Service for: (1) information collection and analysis; (2) conservation and management; and (3) State and industry assistance. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements with, and provide financial assistance to, State, marine fisheries commissions, regional fishery management councils, and academic institutions for research on marine animals, endangered species, and fisheries conservation and management. Mandates a study in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and a report to specified congressional committees on the effects of feeding of noncaptive dolphins by human beings. Requires establishment in NOAA of the National Shellfish Indicator Study Project to conduct research on pathogenic indicators of contamination of shellfish growing areas, to be conducted in accordance with a specified existing cooperative agreement between NOAA and the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to release certain previously-appropriated funds for shellfish water standards research. Authorizes appropriations. Mandates a comprehensive economic study and a report to the Congress to provide baseline information to guide policy decisions on the future of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic shrimp fishery. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Oceanic and Atmospheric Research - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for NOAA for: (1) climate and air quality research; and (2) atmospheric research. Requires the Office of the Chief Scientist of NOAA to submit to the Congress a plan for implementation of a nationwide climate services system and applied climatology program. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for NOAA for ocean and Great Lakes research. Authorizes appropriations to the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OOAR) of NOAA for the Cooperative Institute for Limnology and Ecosystems Research. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for the OOAR for a large lakes research plan. Title IV: National Weather Service - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS) for operations and research. Mandates establishment of: (1) an advisory committee on Atlantic tropical cyclone research and reconnaissance; and (2) a five-year program for data collection, research, and analysis on such cyclones; and (3) a management plan for the five-year program. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for the NWS for public warning and forecast systems, including systems acquisition. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary to complete the acquisition and deployment of the Next Generation Weather Radar system and the Automated Surface Observing Systems. Directs the Secretary to provide at least one NWS liaison officer for each area receiving such public institution liaison and community preparedness services, as of the date of enactment of this Act, from a Weather Service Office (WSO), a Weather Service Meteorological Observatory (WSMO), or an Agricultural Weather Service Center (AWSC). Requires such officer to be provided for at least two years after the WSO, WSMO, or AWSC is closed, consolidated, automated, or relocated. Directs the Secretary to provide such areas with sufficient personnel to ensure that modernization and restructuring of the NWS do not result in degradation in public institution liaison and community preparedness of such areas. Requires the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to identify areas for which there is significant doubt that the Secretary will be able to make a certification that such actions regarding a WSO or a Weather Service Forecast Office will not result in degradation of weather services to the affected area. Requires the Comptroller General to report to specified congressional committees regarding any areas certified by the Secretary which are listed by the NAS as significantly doubtful of certification. Amends the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1989 to add removal of any NWS radar to the list of actions requiring such certification by the Secretary. Modifies the required contents of the certification and associated procedure. Title V: National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for NOAA for: (1) satellite observing systems; and (2) completion of the procurement of specified Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites and Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellites and the launching and supporting ground systems for each; and (3) data and information services. Amends the Land Remote-Sensing Commercialization Act of 1984 to mandate that any license issued under specified provisions of that Act specify that the licensee shall promptly make available all unenhanced data which the Secretary of the Interior (currently, the Secretary of Commerce) may request under specified provisions of the Act relating to archiving of data. Amends provisions of the Act relating to archiving in order to transfer from the Secretary of Commerce to the Secretary of the Interior responsibility for: (1) providing for long-term storage, maintenance, and upgrading of the basic, global, land remote-sensing data set; (2) requesting data needed for the basic data set from a system operator; (3) making data which is in the public domain available to requesting parties; and (4) using existing Government facilities, to the extent practicable, to carry out these functions. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to consult with the Secretary of Commerce to ensure that archiving activities are consistent with the terms and conditions of any contract, agreement, or license under specified provisions of the Act. Title VI: Buy America Provisions - Sets forth Buy American provisions regarding any contract or subcontract made with funds authorized under this Act for articles, materials, or supplies. Declares ineligible for any contract or subcontract from NOAA any person determined by a court or Federal agency to have affixed a fraudulent "Made in America" label to any product. Authorizes awarding to a domestic firm a contract under this Act for goods that, under competitive procedures, would be awarded to a foreign firm, if certain circumstances exist. Title VII: Tropical Cyclone Research Program - Tropical Cyclone Research Act of 1991. Directs the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Commerce to establish a five-year joint program, which expands on the plan established in provisions of this Act relating to Atlantic tropical cyclones, for collecting operational and reconnaissance data, conducting research, and analyzing data on tropical cyclones to assist the forecast and warning program and increase the understanding of the causes and behavior of tropical cyclones. Sets forth the responsibilities of each Secretary. Directs those Secretaries to jointly develop and submit to the Congress management plans for: (1) the program established by this Act; and (2) continued tropical cyclone surveillance and reconnaissance which will adequately protect the citizens of U.S. coastal areas. Mandates that the management plan and program: (1) provide for a minimum of the same level and quality of protection as the current tropical cyclone surveillance and reconnaissance program; and (2) in no way allow any reduction in the level, quality, timeliness, sustainability, and area of served of both the existing principal and back-up severe storm reconnaissance and tracking systems. Title VIII: Program Support - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for NOAA for: (1) executive direction and administrative activities; (2) acquisition, construction, maintenance, and operation of facilities; (3) marine services; and (4) reactivation and operation of a specified research vessel. Directs the Secretary to acquire space from the Administrator of General Services that meets the long-term needs of NOAA on Near Island in Kodiak, Alaska, provided the annual lease costs do not exceed a specified amount. Prohibits deactivation of any NOAA research vessel until an equivalent replacement is operational. Prohibits construction of any NOAA vessel or its major components in a foreign shipyard. Prohibits NOAA vessels homeported in the United States from being overhauled, repaired, or maintained in a foreign shipyard, except for voyage repairs. Directs the Secretary to consult with the Oceanographer of the Navy regarding interoperability of NOAA vessels with Navy vessels. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for modernization of the NOAA fleet. Mandates submission to the Congress of a detailed fleet replacement and modernization plan. Authorizes the Secretary to acquire NOAA vessels by purchase, lease, lease-purchase, or otherwise, under one or more multi-year contracts. Imposes requirements and conditions on such contracts. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for NOAA for aircraft services. Title IX: Miscellaneous Provisions - Requires notice to specified congressional committees: (1) before the Secretary may carry out a major reorganization of, or reprogram over a specified amount of funds appropriated for, any NOAA program or activity; and (2) annually regarding any new NOAA program or activity. Requires the Comptroller General to submit to the Congress an audit of: (1) natural resource damage assessment and restoration activities of NOAA under specified Acts; and (2) the Damage Assessment and Restoration Revolving Fund. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on a two-year budget cycle for NOAA. Freezes the price of nautical charts or other nautical products produced or published by NOAA. Mandates a report to the Congress by the Committee on Earth and Environmental Sciences of the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology regarding: (1) the most urgent current needs of oceanographic researchers for remote sensing capabilities and remotely sensed data; and (2) the major goals of satellite oceanography for the next ten years. Directs the Secretary to submit to specified congressional committees a report on how current and planned Federal satellite capabilities can aid in the enforcement of Federal fisheries laws and international fisheries conservation programs. Establishes in NOAA a Cooperative Institute of Fisheries Oceanography in partnership with Duke University and the Consolidated University of North Carolina. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to acquire space from the Administrator of General Services in the area of Newport News-Norfolk, Virginia, for consolidating and meeting the long-term space needs of NOAA in a cost-effective manner. Authorizes exchange of Department of Commerce real property for other real property in the area. Directs the Secretary to complete and make publicly available a manual describing requirements for recipients of NOAA financial assistance. Prohibits, after enactment of this Act, subjecting such assistance to review by the Financial Assistance Review Board. Sets forth procedures applicable to nondiscretionary assistance programs. Declares that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, financial assistance provided under a program for which the recipient is specified by statute to be, or has customarily been, a State or an interstate fishery commission may be provided on a sole-source basis. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for implementing the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990. Prohibits using amounts appropriated under this Act for activities authorized separately under the Deep Seabed Hard Minerals Resources Act. Repeals the National Ocean Pollution Planning Act of 1978. Authorizes the Secretary to make a grant of a specified amount to a qualified institution to develop and promote innovative post-secondary education and research in seafood business management and vessel operations. Establishes in NOAA the Chesapeake Bay Estuarine Resources Office. Earmarks funds for the establishment of the Office. Requires, notwithstanding any other provision of law, that amounts received by the United States (after enactment of this Act or with respect to the grounding of the Exxon Valdez) as reimbursement of expenses related to oil or hazardous substance spills response activities conducted by NOAA: (1) be deposited in NOAA's Damage Assessment and Restoration Revolving Fund; (2) be available for use in accordance with the law under which the activities are conducted; and (3) not be considered to be an augmentation of appropriations. Requires reversion to the Humbolt Bay Harbor Recreation and Conservation District of certain property on Woodley Island in Eureka, California, acquired from that District and determined to be excess property.

Higher Education Amendments of 1992

United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1991

Higher Education Amendments of 1992 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise and reauthorize its various programs. Title I: Partnerships for Educational Excellence - Revises HEA title I and renames it Partnerships for Educational Excellence (replaces the current title I, Postsecondary Programs for Nontraditional Students). Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 through 1997 for the following title I programs: (1) part A, Urban Community Service; (2) part B, Urban and Rural College, University, and School Partnerships; (3) part D, Articulation Agreements; and (4) part E, Manufacturing Engineering Education. Establishes as part A of title I a Urban Community Service program to provide incentives to urban institutions (including academic, private, and civic bodies) to work together to devise and implement solutions to the most pressing and severe problems in their communities. Requires applications for such urban community service program grants to contain a plan agreed to by the members of a consortium that includes a public or private four-year institution of higher education (and, where possible and appropriate, a community college) in partnership with an urban school system, a local government, a private business, or a nonprofit institution. Allows the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) to waive this consortium requirement for applicants with an appropriate integrated and coordinated plan. Gives priority to applications that: (1) include plans agreed to by a consortium of several members of the specified categories; and (2) propose to conduct joint projects supported by other local, State, and Federal programs. Requires grant funds to be used for planning, applied research, training, resource exchanges, technology transfers, delivery of services, or other activities to design and implement programs to assist urban communities to meet and address their most pressing problems. Includes the following problem areas among those for which such activities are authorized: (1) urban poverty and its alleviation; (2) health care including delivery and access; (3) under-performing school systems and students; (4) problems faced by the elderly in urban settings; (5) crime prevention and alternative interventions; (6) urban housing; (7) urban infrastructure; (8) economic development; and (9) other problem area which the participants agree are of high priority for that urban area. Establishes as part B of title I an Urban and Rural College, University, and School Partnerships program to encourage partnerships of urban institutions of higher education (or consortia of such institutions) and secondary schools and school systems serving low-income and disadvantaged urban or rural students to support programs to improve school retention and graduation rates, student academic skills, opportunities to continue education beyond high school, and prospects for productive employment. Requires an urban or rural institution of higher education (or consortium), to be eligible for such a university-school partnership grant, to enter a written partnership agreement with a local education agency (LEA). Allows such partnership to include businesses, labor organizations, professional associations, community-based organizations, or other public or private agencies or organizations. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to university-school partnerships to support the authorized program activities. Requires that grant preference be given to: (1) programs to serve predominantly low-income neighborhoods; (2) partnerships to run programs during the regular school year and during the summer; and (3) programs to serve educationally disadvantaged students, potential dropouts, pregnant adolescents, and teen-aged parents. Requires maintenance of fiscal effort by LEAs participating in such partnership agreements. Requires such grant applications to assure: (1) establishment of a partnership governing body including one representative from each participant; (2) a gradually declining specified Federal share of project costs; and (3) use of such Federal grant funds to supplement and not supplant non-Federal funds. Sets forth title I part C administrative provisions to provide for: (1) peer review panels for part A or B grant applications; and (2) multiyear disbursement of Urban Community Service program grant funds, under specified conditions. Establishes as part D of title I an Articulation Agreements program of grants for articulation agreements and planning between partnerships of two-year and four-year institutions of higher education. (Current part D provisions for the Student Literacy Corps are revised and transferred to part B of title XI of HEA by this Act.) Directs the Secretary to make such grants to States to make awards to articulation partnerships between qualified institutions, on the basis of either a competition or a formula determined by the State. Provides for allocation of such grant funds to States: (1) by a formula based on the relative total amount of student assistance received under HEA title IV by students attending institutions in the State, if the authorization of appropriations for such grants program equals or exceeds a specified amount; or (2) if such authorized amount is less than the specified amount, by competitive grants which the Secretary is authorized to make to States. Sets forth requirements for State and local applications, articulation agreements, and State administrative costs limitations. Requires States to give priority to grant applications for programs which: (1) encourage teacher education; (2) have, as one partner participating in the agreement, an entity meeting a specified requirement for the tech-prep education program consortia (i.e. a local or intermediate educational agency or area vocational education school serving secondary school students, or a secondary school funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs) under the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act; (3) contribute their own institutional resources; (4) are not subject to a student loan default reduction agreement under title IV (Student Assistance) of HEA; or (5) encourage articulation in subject areas of national importance as determined by the Secretary. Sets forth requirements for annual State program reports and for program evaluation by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to: (1) report to the Congress by January 31, 1996, on the results of such evaluation; and (2) disseminate findings relating to the most successful programs. Reserves limited amounts for such purposes. Establishes as part E of title I a Manufacturing Engineering Education program. Directs the Secretary to establish a program of grants to institutions of higher education to support enhancement of existing and establishment of new programs in manufacturing engineering education. Requires consultation with the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy. Requires the Secretary and the NSF Director to enter into an agreement to coordinate such grant program with similar NSF programs, and for NSF assistance in administering and managing such grant program. Sets forth requirements for programs of engineering supported by such grant awards. Requires such programs to be conducted at the undergraduate and/or graduate level. Sets forth components for such consolidated and integrated multidisciplinary programs. Requires significant involvement of industry in such programs. Sets forth requirements for grant proposals. Bases grant awards on merit competition. Sets forth minimum criteria for selection. Title II: Academic Library and Information Technology Enhancement - Revises HEA title II and renames it Academic Libraries in an Electronic Networked Environment (currently Academic Library and Information Technology Enhancement). Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 through 1997 for the following title II programs: (1) part A, College Library Technology and Cooperation Grants; (2) part B, Library Education, Research, and Development; (3) part C, Improving Access to Research Library Resources; and (4) part D, Strengthening Library and Information Science Programs in Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Directs the Secretary to ensure that title II programs are administered by appropriate library experts. Transfers to title II part A program of the College Library Technology and Cooperation Grants (currently part D) and eliminates current part A provisions for College Library Resources. Revises such College Library Technology and Cooperation Grants program to add provisions emphasizing the accessing and sharing of library and information resources through technology. Requires the Secretary to give priority, in awarding certain such grants, to institutions of higher education seeking assistance for projects which assist developing institutions of higher education in linking one or more institutions of higher education to resource sharing networks. Increases the required minimum grant amount and sets a maximum amount for certain grants. Revises and renames title II part B as Library Education, Research, and Development (currently Library Training, Research, and Development). Requires the Secretary to consult with appropriate library and information science professional organizations to determine: (1) critical needs under provisions for grants and contracts for library education and human resources development, and (2) priorities for awarding grants for research and demonstrations. Revises provisions for library education and human resource development to include assistance for training for library and information science, particularly in areas of critical needs such as recruitment and retention of minorities. Requires that stipends for certain fellowships and traineeships be for those who demonstrate need and are working toward a graduate degree. Revises provisions for research and demonstration projects to include those related to education in library and information science and to enhancement of library services through use of new technology. Revises title II part C and renames it as Improving Access to Research Library Resources (currently Strengthening Research Library Resources). Eliminates provisions which precluded part C grant recipients from receiving certain other title II grants. Adds a new title II part D program for Strengthening Library and Information Science Programs in Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Directs the Secretary to make grants to, and contracts with, historically black colleges and universities and library organizations or agencies which have nationally approved programs in library and information science to educate and train African Americans and other ethnic minorities, particularly in areas of critical needs. Requires that at least 75 percent of such funds be used to establish or maintain graduate fellowships or traineeships. Allows the remainder to be used for: (1) costs of courses of study or staff development, including short-term or regular session institutes; and (2) establishing, developing, or expanding programs of library and information science, including new techniques of information transfer and communication technology. Title III: Institutional Aid - Revises and reauthorizes HEA title III (Institutional Aid). Revises title III part A (Strengthening Institutions) provisions relating to award of grants, eligible institutions, and duration of grants. Requires part A grant applications to describe measurable goals for the institution's financial management and academic program and include a plan for achieving such goals. Requires continuation applications to demonstrate progress made toward achievement of such goals. Revises title III part B (Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities) to add to authorized uses of part B grants: (1) development offices to improve contributions from alumni and the private sector; (2) programs of teacher education, including preparation for certification, to qualify students to teach in public elementary or secondary schools in the State; and (3) community outreach programs to encourage elementary and secondary students to develop the academic skills and interest to pursue postsecondary education. Increases the minimum allotment for each part B institution. Requires part B grant applications to describe measurable goals for the institution's financial management and academic programs and include a plan for achieving such goals. Includes as eligible for part B grants specified independent professional and graduate institutions, as well as any other part B institution offering a professional or doctoral degree program that the Secretary determines is deserving of such a grant. Provides that only certain of such specified institutions shall receive such funding if the total funding does not exceed a specified amount. Revises title III part C and renames it Endowment Challenge Grants for Institutions Eligible for Assistance under Part A or Part B (currently Challenge Grants, etc.). Repeals the Challenge Grant Program, but reauthorizes the Endowment Challenge Grant Program. Defines eligible institutions for purposes of such program. Revises conditions under which the Secretary may make an endowment challenge grant to an eligible institution. Revises selection criteria. Requires part C grant applications to include a description of the long- and short-term plans for raising and using the funds under part C. Requires a set-aside of 30 percent of part C funds for challenge grants to Historically Black Colleges and Universities, under specified conditions. Revises title III part D general provisions relating to application for assistance. Repeals provisions for special payments rules and for challenge grant program applications. Extends through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for title III Institutional Aid programs under: (1) part A, Strengthening Institutions; (2) part B, Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities; and (3) part C, Endowment Challenge Grants. Requires that 25 percent of specified excess funds under part A be allocated among eligible institutions at which at least 60 percent of the students are Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, or Pacific Islanders, or any combination thereof. Title IV: Student Assistance - Part A: Grants to Students in Attendance at Institutions of Higher Education - Subpart 1: Federal Pell Grants - Revises and reauthorizes programs under HEA title IV (Student Assistance). Revises and renames the Pell Grants program under title IV part A subpart 1 as the Federal Pell Grants program (later redesignates the provisions as subpart 2). Increases the maximum award amount for Pell Grants to $4,500 in academic year 1993-1994, with further increases based on the Consumer Price Index for academic years 1994-1995 through 1998-1999. Revises the formula for determining the amount of a Pell Grant award to a student. Sets forth payment schedules based on the expected family contribution and tuition costs, for various types of students. Modifies the prohibition against Pell Grant awards to students attending on a less than half-time basis, to allow such awards for not more than five semesters (or their equivalent). Revises provisions relating to the period of eligibility for Pell Grants. Includes as eligible for Pell Grants students in programs of study abroad that are approved for credit by the institution. Revises provisions relating to the eligibility index. Makes the Pell Grant program an entitlement. Gives every student who qualifies for a Pell Grant a contractual right against the United States for the amount of such grant to which they are entitled. Provides that Pell Grant recipients shall not be considered to be individual grantees for purposes of specified Federal law. Repeals specified provisions for a separate need analysis formula for Pell Grants. (Later in this Act, a single new need analysis formula and system is established for all title IV student aid programs, including Pell Grants. Subpart 2: Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants - Revises and renames the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants program under title IV part A subpart 2 as the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants program (supplemental grants) (later redesignates the provisions subpart 3). Extends through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for the supplemental grants program. Includes students in programs of study abroad that are approved for credit by the institution among those eligible for supplemental grants. Requires institutions in the supplemental grants program to agree that the Federal share of awards will not exceed 75 percent, unless the Secretary determines that a larger Federal share is required to further the purpose of the program. Requires institutions to assure that selection procedures will be designed to award supplemental grants, first, to students with exceptional need (i.e. the greatest financial need). Requires that a reasonable proportion of an institution's supplemental grants allocation be made available to certain nontraditional students (i.e. less than full-time, age 24 or older, single parents, or independent students), if such allocation is directly or indirectly based in part on the financial need of such students. Revises provisions relating to transfer of funds. Requires reduction of an institution's allocation for the next fiscal year by the amount returned, if this is more than ten percent of its allocation. Authorizes waiver of such reduction if it is contrary to the interest of the supplemental grants program. Subpart 3: State Student Incentive Grants - Revises title IV part A subpart 3 provisions for the program of Grants to States for Student Incentives (State student incentive grants program) (later redesignates these provisions as subpart 4). Extends through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for such program. Includes, as eligible for grants from States under such program, eligible students participating in programs of study abroad approved for credit by the institutions. Increases to $5,000 (currently $2,500) the maximum amount for any such grants for full-time attendance at an institution of higher education and for campus-based community service work learning study jobs. Revises conditions for State allotments and expenditures under such program. Repeals the requirement for a reasonable proportion of a institution's allocation being made available to less than full-time students under such program. Subpart 4: Federal Early Outreach and Student Services Programs - Revises and renames subpart 4 of part A of title IV as Federal Early Outreach Services Programs (the current subpart 4, Special Programs for Students from Disadvantaged Backgrounds, is repealed in name, but reauthorized and revised under subpart 4 Chapter 1 provisions for Trio Programs). (Also transfers such subpart 4 to subpart 1 of part A of title IV and then redesignates subparts 1, 2, 3 as 2, 3, 4.) Sets forth chapter 1, TRIO Programs, i.e. the revised and reauthorized Special Programs for Students for Disadvantaged Backgrounds. Extends through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for such programs. Adds to program goals motivation and preparation of such students for doctoral programs. Adds requirements for: (1) a peer review application process; (2) inflation adjustments; (3) minimum grant levels for specified programs; (4) duration of grants and contracts; (5) notice of application status; (6) early notification and technical training for potential providers of special programs and projects; (7) unlimited number of applications by an entity; and (8) coordination with other programs for disadvantaged students. Directs the Secretary to ensure that: (1) members of groups underrepresented in higher education are represented as readers of TRIO programs applications; and (2) each such application is read by at least three reviewers not employed at the Department of Education. Sets forth requirements for documentation of status as a low-income individual, for purposes of TRIO programs eligibility. Revises provisions for the Talent Search program (one of the TRIO programs). Sets forth an expanded list of permissible services which talent search projects may offer, in addition to tutoring, including counseling, mentoring, and parent workshops. Lowers the minimum age and elementary education completion levels for participant eligibility to 11 years of age and five years of school completed (currently 12 and six, respectively, while retaining the maximum age level of 27 years). Revises provisions for the Upward Bound program (one of the TRIO programs). Adds to the list of permissible services which upward bound projects may offer mentoring programs involving elementary or secondary school teachers college faculty, students, or any combination thereof. Requires any assisted upward bound project which has received two or more years of program funding to include in its core curriculum: (1) instruction in mathematics through precalculus; (2) at least one laboratory science; (3) at least one foreign language; and (4) instruction in composition and literature. Revises provisions for Student Support Services (one of the TRIO programs). Adds requirements for design goals of support services projects, including increased rates of college retention, graduation, and transfers from two- to four-year institutions, and institutional climates supportive of low-income and first-generation college students and individuals with disabilities. Adds to permissible services for such projects mentoring programs involving school teachers, college faculty and/or students. Revises provisions for the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement (under TRIO programs provisions). Adds to permissible services: (1) mentoring programs involving elementary or secondary school teachers, college faculty, and/or students; and (2) exposure to cultural events and academic programs not usually available to disadvantaged students. Allows costs for summer room and board, summer tuition, and transportation to summer programs to be paid in addition to the maximum annual amount for a student stipend. Eliminates provisions which: (1) conditioned program funding on specified minimum funding for other programs; and (2) set program funding limits. Revises provisions for Educational Opportunity Centers (under TRIO programs provisions). Expands the list of permissible services which such centers may offer, in addition to tutorial and counseling services, including public information campaigns, assistance in course selection, financial aid application, and entrance exam preparation, alternative education guidance for dropouts, career workshops, monitoring programs and special programs for students of limited English proficiency. Revises provisions for Staff Development Activities (for training for staff and leadership personnel for projects under TRIO Programs). Requires such training to be offered annually for new directors of such projects as well as annually specified topics and other topics chosen by the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to make Outreach Grants to institutions of higher education, community-based organizations, and other public and private nonprofit organizations to provide outreach information to potential providers of programs and projects authorized under Federal Early Outreach and Student Services Programs (the new subpart 1) that could serve groups underrepresented in such programs. Authorizes the Secretary to make Project Evaluation grants and contracts to institutions of higher education and other public and private organizations to: (1) evaluate the effectiveness of the various programs authorized under TRIO programs provisions (chapter 1); and (2) disseminate results of on-going evaluations to similar programs as well as to other individuals concerned with the postsecondary access and retention of low-income, first-generation students. Establishes National Liberty Scholarships and Partnerships Programs (as chapter 2 of the new subpart 1). Authorizes the Secretary to establish such programs through matching payments to States for: (1) State financial aid programs that award grants to low-income students who attain a high school diploma or its equivalent to guarantee them the financial assistance necessary to attend an institution of higher educaiton; and (2) a partnership program (provided by States in cooperation with local educational agencies, postsecondary institutions, and community organizations) of additional counseling, outreach, and supportive services for elementary, middle, and secondary students at risk of dropping out of school and for students and their parents regarding college financing options. Requires State plans for such financial aid program to provide for: (1) at least one-half of program costs from non-Federal funds; (2) all qualified students to be designated as eligible; and (3) first preference for payments of specified other grant funds to students eligible for grants under this program. Requires State plans for such partnership program to provide for matching the Federal grant with funds from non-Federal sources which will supplement and not supplant funds for existing State and local programs. Requires States, in order to receive such financial aid program payments, to establish or maintain a financial assistance program that awards grants to students in accordance with specified requirements. Requires that the maximum amount of such a grant be established by the State, but prohibits such amount from being less than 75 percent of the average cost of attendance for an in-State student in a four-year program at public institutions in such State. Defines "qualified student" for purposes of such financial aid program as one who: (1) is less than 22 years old at time of first grant award; (2) is receiving a Pell Grant for the academic year of the award or would be eligible for such Pell Grant but for their attendance on a less than half-time basis; (3) receives a high school diploma or equivalent in 1993 or thereafter; and (4) is enrolled in an authorized degree program in the State (States may opt to offer grant program portability for recipients at institutions in other participating States). Requires a State to demonstrate, under the partnership program, that it has increased the aggregate amount of its expenditures to provide comprehensive mentoring, counseling, outreach and supportive services. Directs the Secretary to establish criteria for determining which types of services programs may be counted for such purpose. Lists examples of acceptable activities. Allows the State to include in such program participating of businesses, religious organizations, community groups, postsecondary educational institutions, nonprofit and philanthropic organizations, and other entities deemed appropriate by the Secretary. Sets forth requirements for Federal matching payments to States for such financial aid and partnership programs, with additional payments for limited administrative expenses. Bases State allotments under this Act on their relative allocations under provisions for grants for local educational agencies in counties with especially high concentrations of children from low-income families under the Elementary and Secondary Education of 1965. Prohibits any State from using more than 50 percent of its allotment for the comprehensive counseling, outreach, and support services partnership program. Sets forth reallotment provisions. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 through 1997 for grants for matching payments to States for such financial aid and partnership program. Establishes Model Program Community Partnership Counseling Grants (as chapter 3 of the new subpart 1). Directs the Secretary to award grants to develop model programs for: (1) counseling students, at an early age, about college opportunities, precollege requirements, college admissions procedures, and financial aid opportunities, in ways designed or customized for use in specific geographic, social, and cultural environments; or (2) stimulating community partnerships with schools by providing tutoring, mentoring, work experiences, and other support services to make postsecondary education a realistic goal for all students. Gives priority to model programs directed at areas with a high proportion of minority, economically disadvantaged, or at-risk students. Sets forth requirements for: (1) either tailoring to a specific environment or community partnership with local businesses, labor organizations, or community groups; and (2) measurement of goals and outcomes. Directs the Secretary to collect, and disseminate through the National Diffusion Network, information on: (1) successful programs for counseling students about college and for early intervention to help them stay in school and pursue postsecondary education; and (2) model programs for counseling students in specific environments and for community partnership support services to make postsecondary education a realistic goal. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 through 1997 for such model program grants and such dissemination activities. Establishes the Presidential Achievement Awards Scholarships program (as chapter 4 of the new subpart 1), to award scholarships to Pell Grants recipients who: (1) have participated in a preparatory program for postsecondary education; and (2) demonstrate academic achievement. Allows Presidential Achievement Scholars to receive a Presidential Achievement scholarship for each year the student receives a Pell Grant and meets specified requirements for eligibility. Bases eligibility in the first year of postsecondary education on the student's receiving a Pell Grant and having: (1) participated for at least 36 months in an early intervention program meeting certain requirements; (2) completed secondary education, including three years of mathematics, two years of science, and four years of English; and (3) earned at least a 2.5 grade point average in the final two years of high school. Bases eligibility after the first year on the student's receiving a Pell Grant and: (1) having received a Presidential Achievement Award in a previous academic year; and (2) maintaining satisfactory academic progress. Sets such scholarship amount at 25 percent of the student's Pell Grant amount (with reductions for the amount by which the scholarship combined with any other assistance exceeds the cost of attendance). Sets forth provisions for award procedures, payment of scholarships, and awards cermonies. Establishes a program of Technical Assistance for Teachers and Counselors (as chapter 5 of the new subpart 1). Directs the Secretary to award two-year technical assistance grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) to obtain specialized training for guidance counselors, teachers, and principals to counsel students about college opportunities, precollege requirements, college admissions procedures, and financial aid opportunities. Gives priority to LEAs serving school districts with significantly high proportions of students who do not continue on to higher education and who are educationally disadvantaged. Sets forth planning, evaluation, and reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 through 1997 for such technical assistance grants. Establishes a National Student Savings Demonstration Program (as chapter 6 of the new subpart 1), to: (1) test the feasibility of a national program to encourage families to save for their children's college education, and thereby reduce the loan indebtedness of college students; and (2) help determine the most effective means of achieving such purposes. Authorizes the Secretary to award a demonstration grant to not more than five States to conduct such a student savings program. Provides for a Federal match of not more than $50 per child. Gives priority to States proposing programs that establish accounts for a child prior to the age of compulsory school attendance in that State. Gives special consideration to States that: (1) permit employers to use pretax income in making contributions to a child's account; and (2) provide assurances that interest earned in such accounts shall be exempt from State taxes. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 through 1996 for such program. Sets forth provisions for Public Information (as chapter 7 of the new subpart 1), including a database, information lines, and public advertising. Directs the Secretary to award a contract to establish and maintain: (1) a computerized database of all public and private financial assistance programs, to be accessible to schools and libraries through modems or toll-free telephone lines; and (2) a toll-free information line, including access by telecommunications devices for the deaf, to provide individualized financial assistance information to parents, students, and others, including referrals to postsecondary clearinghouse for individuals with disabilities. Directs the Secretary to encourage private nonprofit organizations to work with video producers to develop and deliver public service announcements and paid advertising messages that encourage economically disadvantaged, minority, or at-risk individuals to seek higher education and financial assistance counseling at public schools and libraries. Allows such announcements and messages to be specially designed for students of limited English proficiency. Requires the Secretary to keep the Congress informed of such advertising efforts and to recommend any additional legislative authority that will serve such purposes. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 through 1998 for such Public Information programs. Subpart 5: Amendments to Subparts 5 through 8 of Part A - Revises provisions for Special Programs for Students Whose Families Are Engaged in Migrant and Seasonal Farmwork (Migrant Programs) (subpart 5 of part A of title IV of HEA), including the high school equivalency program (HEP) and the college assistance migrant program (CAMP). Includes under program eligibility provisions, for HEP recruitment services and CAMP outreach and recruitment services, certain persons who have participated under specified programs for migrants under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 or the Job Partnership Training Act. Extends the ordinary grant period to five years (currently three). Extends through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for Migrant Programs. Extends through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program (subpart 6 of part A of title IV of HEA). Repeals provisions for certain definitions under such program. Repeals provisions for Assistance to Institutions of Higher Education (subpart 7 of part A of title IV of HEA), including: (1) certain cost-of-education payments to institutions of higher education based on numbers of students receiving Pell Grants; and (2) a veterans education outreach program. Extends through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for Special Child Care Services for Disadvantaged College Students (subpart 8 of part A of title IV of HEA). Part B: Federal Family Education Loans - Revises and renames HEA title IV part B as the Federal Family Education Loan Program (currently the Robert T. Stafford Student Loan Program). Refers to the program under this part as the Federal Stafford Student Loan Program (currently known as the Stafford or Guaranteed Student Loan- GSL-program) and to loans made under this part as Federal Stafford Loans. Limits the authorization to guarantee new loans under the part B (Stafford Loan) program, by making such guarantee authority contingent on timely rulemaking. Prohibits issuance of any such new loan guarantees after June 30, 1994, if the Secretary does not issue final regulations implementing the changes made this Act. (Under part D of this Act a Federal Direct Loans program replaces the Stafford or GSL program, with a phase-in process beginning in July 1994 and terminating GSL authority by the end of June 1996.) Revises Stafford or GSL program provisions to add provisions relating to guaranty agency funding and solvency, including requirements for: (1) information collection; (2) standards; (3) management plans; (4) penalties for failure to submit acceptable plans; (5) reports; and (6) confidential treatment of information. Revises payment rules for the GSL (and the FISL or federally-insured student loan) programs to: (1) require graduated or income-sensitive schedules upon borrower request; and (2) eliminate the special minimum payment rule for married couples. Adds special rules to cover approved study abroad, for purposes of student loan disbursement and amounts. Revises provisions relating to applicable interest rates. Revises provisions for agreements for Federal payments to reduce student interest rates. Prohibits eligible institutions with a cohort default rates of 20 percent or higher from providing loan applications directly to their students (who must therefore obtain an application from the lender). Provides for proration of GSL loan program amounts eligibility to course load. Requires a minimum payment of at least the interest due and payable. Revises provisions for deferments. Revises provisions relating to exclusion of forebearance from repayment period calculation. Revises provisions relating to consequences of institutional eligibility limitation, suspension, and termination actions. Requires participation agreements between the guaranty agency and each eligible institution. Requires notice to borrowers of any sale or other transfer of the loan to another holder. Allows requests for GSL program student loan repayment deferments by students engaged in graduate or postgraduate fellowship-supported study abroad (such as Fulbright grant recipients) to be approved until completion of the fellowship period. Adds requirements for conflict-of-interest restrictions on guaranty agency officers and employees. Authorizes guaranty agencies to enter into agreements under which State licensing boards will, upon request, furnish guarantee agencies with the addresses of student borrowers. Revises the time period during which a guaranty agency may file a claim for reimbursement. Limits additional review claims by exceptional performance lenders and loan servicers to cases of fraud or other purposeful misconduct in obtaining such designation. Revises provisions relating to subrogation. Requires guaranty agencies to submit lists of defaulted borrowers to institutions of higher education to check on the lists' accuracy, prior to filing reinsurance claims. Revises forbearance provisions. Provides for references to third party servicers. Sets forth special rules for exceptional performance in loans collection by eligible lenders and loan services. Revises provisions for cost of lender participation promotion to refer to eligible (rather than commercial) lenders. Provides for coordination of repayment of Stafford loans and Supplemental Loans for Students (SLS). Revises provisions relating to capitalization of interest. Revises provisions for parent (PLUS) loans with respect to: (1) copayable checks; (2) disbursement; (3) limitation of deferral; and (4) capitalization of interest. Revises provisions for consolidation loans with respect to: (1) use of consolidation to avoid default; (2) extension of the consolidation eligibility period; (3) consolidation of loans of married borrowers; (4) interest during deferral; (5) repayment periods; and (6) gradual and income-sensitive repayment. Revises loan proceeds disbursement rules to: (1) prohibit institutions from penalizing students because of delayed disbursement; and (2) allow weekly or monthly disbursement, with the borrower's permission. Adds provisions for unsubsidized Stafford loans for middle-income borrowers. Authorizes insured loans under the part B program for borrowers who do not qualify for Federal interest subsidy payments. Entitles any student meeting the definition of student eligibility under title IV general provisions to borrow an unsubsized Stafford loan. Sets forth provisions for: (1) determination of loan amount; (2) loan limits; (3) payment of principal and interest without subsidy payments to reduce interest costs; (4) reinsurance premium; and (5) single application form. Establishes an extended collection demonstration program. Directs the Secretary to enter into agreements with guaranty agencies to establish up to nine demonstration programs designed to reduce defaults through extended efforts on delinquent student loans originally guaranteed by such agencies. Sets forth provisions for: (1) selection of participants; (2) eligibility of loans for inclusion in the program; (3) lender eligibility to participate; (4) extended collection period; and (5) reports, regulations, and applicability of other terms, conditions, and benefits. Terminates such demonstration program on September 30, 1995. Directs the Secretary to use at least a minimum specified amount of part B-Funds for default reduction activities, including program reviews, audits, debt management programs, training activities, and other management improvement activities. Revises part B administrative provisions relating to: (1) authority to regulate services; and (2) limitation, suspension, and termination. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations for: (1) standardization and simplification of student loan forms and procedures; and (2) standardization of data reporting. Directs the Secretary to: (1) undertake a program to encourage private and public employers to assist borrowers in repaying student loans under title IV, including options for payroll deduction and loan repayment matching under employee benefit packages; (2) publicize repayment models deserving recognition; and (3) make recommendations to appropriate congressional committees on changes to the tax code or other statutes that could encourage such efforts. Adds provisions relating to the consequences of guaranty agency insolvency. Revises requirements for student loan information by eligible lenders to include statements that the loan must be repaid and that the borrower's loan repayment obligation is distinct from the school's obligation to the borrower. Revises definition for the student loan insurance program. Repeals a separate definition of institution of higher education. Defines both institution of higher education and eligible institution as under title IV general provisions. Repeals a definition of vocational school. Revises the definition of eligible lender. Prohibits a cohort default rate above 15 percent. Requires use of proceeds from special allowance payments and interests payments from borrowers for need-based grant programs, except for reasonable reimbursement for direct administrative expenses. Defines third party servicer. Revises provisions for the Secretary's repayment of loans of bankrupt, deceased, or disabled borrowers to extend such treatment to borrowers: (1) who are unable to complete the program due to the closure of the institution; or (2) whose eligibility to borrow under part B GSL programs was fraudulently certified by the eligible institution. Provides that the Secretary shall pursue any claim available to such borrower against the institution (as well as discharge their liability by repaying the amount owed). Provides that the period of attendance at the institution which closed and at which the student was unable to complete the course of study shall not count against the student's period of eligibility for additional title IV assistance. Provides that borrowers whose loans have been discharged under these repayment provisions shall not be precluded from receiving additional title IV assistance. Directs the Secretary to report to credit bureaus on such repaid loans. Permits a certain special allowance to also be given on unsubsidized Stafford loans. Phases out origination fees under part B student loan programs, and eliminates discounting. Allows the Student Loan Marketing Association (Sallie Mae) (the Association) to charge interest on any loan on the same basis as national banks located in: (1) the District of Columbia; and (2) the State in which the lender is located. Part C: Federal Work-Study Programs - Revises and renames HEA title IV part C as Federal Work-Study Programs (currently Work-Study Programs). Extends through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for part C work-study programs. Provides for reallocation of excess allocations as a consequence of failure to award work-study program funds, under specified conditions. Allows institutions to use work-study program funds to pay eligible students to engage in mentoring activities. Increases from $200 to $300 the amount of work-study program compensation in excess of need that a student may receive. Includes students who are age 24 or older, single parents, or independent students (as well as less-than-full-time students) among those for whom a reasonable proportion of an institution's work-study program funds must be available. Revises Federal share provisions. Adds provisions for approved study abroad eligibility for work-study programs. Requires work-study program grant agreements to provide assurances that employment made available from such program funds may be used to support programs for supportive services to students with disabilities. Sets forth provisions for carry-back authority. Increases the maximum amount of its work-study grant allotment which an institution may use for a community services job location and development program for its students. Establishes a work colleges program. Transfers to Part D of title XI current provisions for: (1) work study for community service-learning on behalf of low-income individuals and families; and (2) student community service job location and development. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 through 1996 to carry out to work colleges program. Requires such funds to be allocated to qualifying institutions, in lieu of allocations under other specified work-study program provisions, upon application, for eligible students as defined under student aid provisions. Requires an institution receiving such a work colleges program allocation to expend an equal amount of matching funds from non-Federal sources for such program. Authorizes institutions to use such work colleges program funds for: (1) supporting qualified students' educational costs through self-help payments or credits provided under the institution's work-learning program within the limits of student aid program provisions; (2) promoting work-learning-service experience as a tool of postsecondary education, financial self-help, and community service-learning opportunities; (3) administering, developing, and assessing comprehensive college work-learning programs, including community based work-learning alternatives that expand opportunities for community service and career-related work; and (4) developing programs that develop sound citizenship and personal values, encourage student persistence, and make optimum use of college work-study dollars in HEA title IV aid in education and student development. Allows funds allocated to the institution under HEA title IV provisions for supplemental educational opportunity grants, work-study programs, and direct student loans to be transferred for use under the work colleges program to provide flexibility in strengthening the self-help-through-work element in financial aid packaging. Requires postsecondary institutions, in order to be eligible to participate in the work colleges program, to: (1) be public or private nonprofit institutions with stated commitments to service; (2) have comprehensive work-learning-service program for at least two years; (3) requires service by all resident students through a comprehensive work-learning program as an integral part of the institution's educational philosophy; and (4) provide through the institutional work program an opportunity for the students to contribute to the overall educational program and the welfare of the community as a whole. Part D: Federal Direct Loans - Establishes a Federal Direct Loans program as part D of title IV of HEA. (Eliminates the current part D, Income Contingent Direct Loans Demonstration Project.) (Provides that such Federal Direct Loans program shall replace the Guaranteed Student Loan (GSL) and the Perkins Direct Loan programs which shall be phased out.) Directs the Secretary to carry out such Federal direct loan program (the program) for qualified students at institutions of higher education during the period beginning on July 1, 1994. Directs the Secretary to make program payments for any fiscal year to: (1) each institution of higher education having a program agreement; and (2) the designated lending agent if such an institution designates one. Requires such payments to be made on the basis of the estimated needs of the institution's students, considering their demand and eligibility for subsidized and unsubsidized direct loans under the program. Sets forth program payment rules, in general and for initial payments. Declares that an institution with an approved application and agreement with the Secretary shall be deemed to have a contractual obligation (entitlement) from the United States for making the program payments specified in that application. Sets forth requirements for such applications of and agreements with institutions of higher education. Requires the Secretary to make program agreements for the academic year beginning July 1: (1) 1994, with a first cohort of 450-500 institutions; (2) 1995, with a second cohort of 950-1,000 institutions in addition to the first cohort; and (3) 1996, with a third cohort of any institutions desiring to participate. Provides for allowing institutions to designate lending agents to receive advances of program payments. Sets forth types of entities eligible to be designated lending agents. Entitles an institution to a payment for each fiscal year during which it makes student loans under such an agreement in lieu of reimbursement for its expenses in administering its student loan program during such year. Sets forth formulas for determining such payments. Requires each institution to use such payments first to carry out specified HEA provisions relating to administrative expenses and then for such additional administrative costs as that institution determines necessary. Deems an institution with such program agreement to have a contractural right to such payments. Provides for student eligibility for, and the amount of, subsidized and unsubsidized loans under the program. Limits program eligibility, among other criteria, to qualified students carrying at least one-half the normal academic workload and maintaining good standing. Allows subsidized loans under the program to be made only to students who meet the basic requirements but also demonstrate financial need for such a loan. Makes qualified graduate and professional students and qualified undergraduate independent students eligible to borrow unsubsidized loans under the program in specified amounts. Makes qualified undergraduate dependent students eligible for unsubsidized loans under the program, if the financial aid administrator determines after review that exceptional circumstances will likely preclude the student's parents from borrowing under the program. Prohibits students from being eligible to borrow unsubsidized loans under the program until they have obtained a high school diploma or equivalent. Declares that, if an institution's cohort default rate is 30 percent or more for the most recent fiscal year for which data is available, no undergraduate student at that institution may borrow unsubsidized loans under the program. Directs the Secretary to afford any such institution an opportunity to present evidence contesting the accuracy of the calculation of such rate. Makes parents of qualified dependent students eligible to borrow unsubsidized loans under the program in any amount, subject to specified restrictions based on cost of attendance and amount of other unsubsidized loans and student aid. Provides for determining subsidized loan amounts, based on cost of attendance, other types of student aid received, and expected family (or independent student self-help) contribution. Sets annual and aggregate limits for subsidized loans to first-year, undergraduate, and graduate or professional students. Provides for determining unsubsidized loans to students or parents, based on cost of attendance and other types of student aid. Sets forth annual and aggregate limits for unsubsidized loans for first-year, undergraduate, and graduate or professional students. Sets forth terms of loans under the program. Provides for deferments of repayment during specified periods of education or service. Allows borrowers to accelerate without penalty repayment of the whole or any part of the loan. Sets forth additional and separate terms for subsidized loans and for unsubsidized loans under the program. Sets forth requirements for multiple disbursement of student loans. Sets forth loan repayment rules, including minimum repayment amounts. Requires if a borrower so requests, that repayment be made in accordance with a graduated or income contingent schedule established by the Secretary. Allows the Secretary and the borrower to agree to increase the specified repayment period, but prohibits it from extending beyond 20 years. Directs the Secretary to notify the student borrower, at the beginning of the repayment period, of the availability of the flexible repayment program. Provides for interest rates on: (1) unsubsidized loans (the bonds equivalent rate of 52-week Treasury bills, plus three and one-quarter percent) (but not exceeding 12 percent); and (2) and subsidized loans (eight percent). Directs the Secretary to report such interest rates to the Congress for any fiscal year in which they are not sufficient to recover specified costs to the Government. Sets forth requirements for consolidation loans. Directs the Secretary to enter into agreements to provide loans to consolidate eligible student loans whose outstanding indebtedness is at least $10,000. Sets forth terms and conditions of consolidation loans, including annual interest rates of at least eight percent. Directs the Secretary to establish repayment terms, including graduated and income contingent repayment schedules. Provides for administration of the program. Requires the Secretary to establish: (1) a central data system to maintain records on all loans made under the program; and (2) default prevention programs. Provides for funding of the program through the sale of Government obligations. Sets forth the duties of the Secretary and the Secretary of the Treasury with respect to such sale and funding. Sets forth various amendments to phase out the Stafford Student Loan Program (GSL) by June 30, 1996. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 and thereafter for administrative expenses necessary for carrying out title IV student aid programs, including expenses for staff personnel and compliance activities. Part E: Federal Perkins Loans - Revises and renames part E of title IV of HEA as Federal Perkins Loans (currently named Direct Loans to Students in Institutions of Higher Education or Perkins Loans). Extends through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for contributions by the Secretary to Perkins Loans program student loan funds. Adds provisions for eligibility for study abroad. Provides for reduction of allocation as a consequence of failure to award funds. Revises Perkins loan program provisions for capital contributions by institutions. Requires an institution to match the Federal capital contribution if the institution is granted permission to participate in an Expanded Lending Option and has a default rate not more than seven and one-half percent. Requires all other institutions to contribute an amount at least one-third of the Federal amount. Adds requirements for institutions to disclose specified information to any credit bureau with which the Secretary has a specified agreement. Revise loan limits under the Perkins Loan program. Provides for a reasonable proportion of a institution's Perkins Loans to be made to nontraditional students, including less-than-full-time, age 24 or older, single parents, or independent students. Revises minimum monthly payments for loans made after a specified date. Provides for adjustment of excessive loan awards. Adds a deferment of Perkins loan repayment for family service agency employees who provide or supervise services to high-risk children from low-income communities and their families. Allows requests for deferment of Perkins loan repayment by students in graduate or post-graduate fellowship-supported study abroad (such as Fulbright grant recipients) until completion of the fellowship period. Authorizes the Secretary to grant an institution special repayment authority to compromise, within specified limits, on the repayment of defaulted Perkins loans, under specified conditions, to encourage repayment and protect U.S. interests. Revises provisions for cancellation of Perkins loans for certain public service. Adds special rules for determining the list of schools with specified percentages of educationally disadvantaged students at which full-time teaching service in any subject may qualify for such cancellation, and for continuing eligibility even if the school is no longer on such list. Adds provisions for such cancellation for full-time service as: (1) a teacher of infants, toddlers, children or youth with disabilities in a public or other nonprofit elementary or secondary school system, or as a professional provider of early intervention services; (2) nurse or medical technician providing health care services; or (3) family service agency employee providing or supervising services to high-risk children from low-income communities and their families. Revises an excess capital rule. Establishes the Perkins Loan Revolving Fund, to be available to the Secretary to make payments under part E. Provides that specified funds be deposited in such Fund. Provides for gradual termination of the Perkins Loan program, to be replaced by the Federal Direct Loans program. Prohibits any institution which has a Federal Direct Loans program agreement with the Secretary from receiving funds or making new loans under the Perkins Loan program. Requires deposit in an endowment fund of any collections of Perkins loans after an institution has begun distributing Federal Direct Loans. Requires the proceeds of such endowment fund to be awarded to student at that institution under specified provisions for Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants. Part F: Need Analysis - Revises HEA title IV part F provisions for Need Analysis. Establishes a new single need analysis formula to be used in the calculation of financial need for all title IV Student Assistance programs (thus replacing the current separate formulas for Pell Grants and for other title IV programs). Bases such new formula on the current formula used for the Stafford (GSL) and the "campus-based" aid programs including supplemental grants and work-study programs. Revises provisions for amount of need. Eliminates provisions for a minimum student contribution. Revises provisions for cost of attendance. Revises provisions for expected family contribution: (1) in general; (2) for dependent students; (3) independent students without dependent children; and (4) independent students with dependent children. Revises provisions relating to the Secretary's authorization to prescribe specified updated need analysis tables and to propose modifications in the need analysis methodology. Revises provisions for the simplified needs test to provide for a by-pass and consideration as having a zero family contribution for those with family adjusted gross incomes less than or equal to the earned income tax credit. Retains provisions relating to: (1) the discretion of student financial aid administrators; (2) disregard of student aid in other Federal programs; and (3) Native American students. Revises definitions for need analysis provisions under title IV. Includes, under the definition of independent student, one who is 24 years of age or older by December 31 of the award year. Part G: General Provisions - Revises definitions for title IV (Student Assistance) in general. Excludes from the definition of institution of higher education, for purposes of title IV program eligibility, any institution which: (1) offers more than 50 percent of its courses by correspondence (also excludes correspondence courses from student eligibility); or (2) has filed for bankruptcy, if there is a judicial determination of fraud involving Federal funds. Sets forth certain eligible program requirements for proprietary institutions of higher education. Revises the definition of academic and award years. Sets forth certain eligible program standards for length of time of specified types of programs. Sets forth provisions for: (1) time limitations on, and renewal of, eligibility; (2) conditional certification of institutional eligibility; (3) branches; and (4) changes of ownership. Revises provisions relating to a master calendar. Revises provisions for forms and regulations for title IV student aid programs. Requires the common financial reporting form to be produced, distributed, and processed by the Secretary. Prohibits charging any parent or student a fee for the collection, processing, or delivery of financial aid through use of such a form. Requires institutions to pay the costs of other forms and their processing if they require or encourage students to use any form other than one approved by the Secretary. Requires use of the approved common form for purposes of title IV programs. Makes all data collected for the multiple data entry process the exclusive property of the Secretary. Prohibits such data from being transferred to a third party by an approved contractor without the Secretary's expressed written approval. Directs the Secretary to develop a streamlined reapplication process. Revises provisions for toll-free student aid information to include: (1) accessiblity for telecommunication devices for the deaf; and (2) referrals to a postsecondary clearinghouse for individuals with disabilities. Revises provisions for student eligibility for title IV student aid programs. Includes programs of study abroad approved for credit by the eligible institution among programs in which a student may receive such aid. Prohibits a student who is incarcerated from being eligible to receive a loan under title IV. Revises provisions for ability-to-benefit programs to include a State-prescribed determination process approved by the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to verify all applications for aid through the use of any means available, including exchange of information with other Federal agencies. Revises provisions for loss of student eligibility for violation of loan limits to allow students who inadvertently exceed such borrowing limit to repay the excess amount prior to being certified for further title IV assistance. Sets forth provisions for the Secretary's verification of social security numbers provided by students to eligible institutions. Sets forth provisions for data base matching with the Selective Service. Provides for eligibility for title IV assistance for students in study abroad programs approved for credit by their home institutions. Provides that students enrolled in courses of instruction at eligible institutions of higher education that are offered in whole or part through visual telecommunications devices or mediums and lead to recognized associate, bachelor, or graduate degrees shall not: (1) be considered to be enrolled in correspondence courses (which are not eligible for student assistance); and (2) have their eligibility to participate in HEA title IV student assistance programs restricted or reduced solely on the basis of their enrollment in such courses offered through visual telecommunications. Prohibits the Secretary, for award years prior to enactment of this Act, to take any action against a student or eligible institution arising out of a prior award of student assistance if the institution demonstrates that its course of instruction would have been in conformance with such provisions. Revises statute of limitations provisions to provide that, with respect to any loan made part B GSL programs, a lender, holder, guaranty agency, or the Secretary shall not be subject to any claim or defense asserted by a borrower which is attributable to an act or failure to act by an educational institution attended by the borrower (unless the lender is an eligible institution). Establishes requirements for institutional refunds, refund policies, disclosures of policy. Revises provisions for information dissemination activities. Requires the institution to inform prospective student borrowers that study abroad programs approved for credit by the institution are eligible for student aid. Requires borrowers to provide certain information during the exit interview, regarding their expected permanent address, employer, next of kin, and corrections in the institution's records relating to their identification and location. Requires the institution to forward such information to the lender and guaranty agency. Establishes requirements for institutional information to students and prospective students regarding campus security policy and crime statistics. Sets forth provisions for campus security policy development. Revises provisions for a National Student Loan Data System to include requirements for: (1) common identifiers; and (2) integration of databases. Directs the Secretary to establish a centralized Student Loan Data System for use by schools, borrowers, holders, and guarantors in: (1) confirming borrower, internship, and residency status; and (2) identifying the current holder and servicer of a loan. Sets forth requirements for information in such system and restricted access, and deadlines for planning and implementation. Revises provisions for training in financial aid and student supportive services. Sets forth grant limitations. Extends through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for such training programs. Revises provisions for title IV program participation agreements. Requires institutions to disclose to prospective student relevant State licensing requirements for any job for which the course of instruction is designed. Prohibits institutions from: (1) making incentive payments to persons or entities engaged in student recruiting or admission or awarding of assistance; (2) employing or using any individual or organization that has committed fraud involving Federal funds; or (3) denying Federal aid to any eligible student because of participation in approved study abroad. Requires institutions: (1) acknowledge specified entities' information-sharing authority; (2) develop Default Management Plans under specified conditions; (3) comply with any specified maximum growth rates or percentages of aid recipients; and (4) complete specified surveys and collect and transmit specified information. Revises provisions relating to hearings and availability of records. Requires financial responsibility standards to: (1) be based on annual independent financial audit reports on institutions; and (2) require of every institution a letter of credit or other irrevocable bond to cover all potential liabilities to students and to the Secretary, for funds under title IV and cover all loan obligations discharged to students under specified provisions. Requires compliance audits of third party servicers. Authorizes emergency actions by the Secretary against any or all institutions under the substantial control of any individual or entity that is determined to have committed violations of any title IV program requirements or has been suspended or debarred by the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to provide specified audit information to any appropriate Federal or State agency with responsibilities with respect to student assistance. Establishes a Quality Assurance Program. Authorizes the Secretary to select institutions for voluntary participation in such program based on criteria including demonstrated institutional performance and considering current quality assurance goals. Allows participating institutions to develop and implement their own systems to verify student financial aid application data. Exempts participating institutions from title IV reporting or verification requirements, and allows them to substitute such quality assurance reporting as the Secretary deems necessary. Sets forth conditions for removal from the program. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) select institutions for voluntary participation as experimental sites to provide recommendations on the impact and effectiveness of proposed regulations or new management initiatives; and (2) exempt such institutions from any title IV requirements or regulations that would bias experimental results. Directs the Secretary to assign to each participant (including institutions, lenders, and guaranty agencies) in title IV programs a single identification number. Increases the percentage of specified program funds which may be involved in certain inter-program transfers. Revises provisions for administrative expenses payments to require a reasonable proportion of an institution's funds to be available for financial aid services during times and in places to accommodate specified types of nontraditional students. Revises title IV provisions for criminal penalties. Increase the amount of fines for specified violations. Adds provisions relating to extent of liability for financial losses to the Federal Government, student aid recipients, and other proram participants and civil and criminal penalties, arising from material inaccuracy of information submitted by institution to the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to require: (1) financial guarantees from an institution participating or seeking to participate in a title IV program, and/or from one or more individuals exercising substantial control over such institution; and (2) the assumption of personal liability by one or more such individuals, in accordance with specified provisions. Revises provisions for the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance to eliminate outdated provisions for a special institutional lender study. Sets forth provisions relating to the investigating and arrest authority and powers of designating employees of the Office of Inspector General, Department of Education. Establishes procedures for performance based regulatory relief for that satisfy specified criteria in title IV program participation. Requires regional meetings and negotiated rulemaking in developing regulations implementing amendments made to HEA title IV by this Act. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 for such purposes. Part H: Program Integrity - Establishes a new part H of title IV of HEA, Program Integrity. Sets forth requirements for State postsecondary approving agency programs for conduct or coordination of review and approval of institutions of higher education for purposes of title IV eligibility. Sets forth requirements for: (1) agreements with such State agencies; (2) Federal reimbursement of such State agency costs; (3) State agency functions, including criteria for review; (4) State standards, subject to disapproval by the Secretary, with differential standards for approval under specified conditions; (5) disapproval authority and procedures; (6) consumer complaints; and (7) enforcement mechanisms. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 and succeeding fiscal years for Federal reimbursement of State approving agency costs for such program integrity review and approval functions, in an amount not to exceed one percent of the amount appropriated for the fiscal year for title IV student financial assistance programs. Part I: Conforming Amendments - Makes conforming amendments to specified provisions of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 and the Higher Education Technical Amendments of 1991. Title V: Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Development - Revises HEA title V (Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Development). Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 through 1997 for: (1) the new part A, State and Local Programs for Teacher Excellence; (2) part B, Teacher Scholarships and Fellowships (currently part D), including subpart 1 Paul Douglas Teacher Corps-Scholarships, and subpart 2 Christa McAuliffe Fellowship Program; and (3) part C, National Programs, including subpart 1 National Mini Corps Program, subpart 3 Partnerships for Innovative Teacher Education, subpart 4 Teacher Opportunity Corps, subpart 5 National Job Bank for Teacher Recruitment, and subpart 6 Midcareer Teacher Training for Nontraditional Students (currently part A). Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 for the part C subpart 7 Alternative Routes to Teacher Certification and Licensure. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1994 through 1998 for the part C subpart 2 National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Establishes, as the new part A of title V, State and Local Programs for Teacher Excellence. Provides for: (1) funds to State educational agencies (SEAs), local educational agencies (LEAs), and institutions of higher education to update and improve the skills of classroom teachers and school administrators; and (2) a comprehensive examination of State requirements for teacher preservice and certification. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to SEAs to improve the quality of teaching. Provides for allotment to States based on school-age population. Requires the SEA to allocate at least 50 percent of the State allotment to LEAs based on relative enrollments in their public schools and requiring any LEA receiving less than a specified minimum to form a consortium with other LEAs). Allows the SEA to reserve up to 25 percent of the State allotment for specified grants to institutions of higher education for teacher training programs. Directs the SEA to reserve not more than 25 percent of the State allotment to distribute to institutions of higher education for purposes of specified State uses of funds including assessment of teacher education programs, establishment of State Academies for Teachers and for School Administrators, and other teaching improvement activities. Requires the State to distribute such allotment funds to LEAs on a competitive basis if the appropriation for part A is less than a specified minimum amount. Sets forth requirements for State and local applications. Requires LEAs to use part A funds for inservice training of teachers. Allows LEAs to use such funds for: (1) programs to recruit individuals into teaching; (2) business partnerships for employee-teacher exchange and internship programs; and (3) other teaching improvement activities. Requires SEAs to use part A funds to conduct an assessment of teacher education programs within the State. Allows SEAs to use such funds for: (1) establishing State Academies for Teachers; (2) establishing State Academies for School Leaders; and (3) other teaching improvement activities. Requires each SEA receiving part A funds to undertake a study of teacher education programs and State laws and regulations relating to such programs, including standards or requirements for teacher certification and licensure. Sets forth deadlines for study results and reports. Sets forth provisions for competitive awards for and authorized activities of, State Academies for Teachers and State Academies for School Administrators. Sets forth provisions for applications by institutions of higher education for part A grants by SEAs. Requires SEAs to award such grants on a competitive basis to such institutions having departments, schools, or colleges of education, for: (1) institutional technical assistance to LEAs for inservice training; (2) innovations and improvements in teacher education programs within the institution to better meet LEAs needs for well-prepared teachers; (3) integrating the instruction of academic and vocational teacher education programs; (4) activities to encourage individuals, especially from minority groups, to pursue careers in education; and (5) implementing new requirements for teacher education programs, when the State study of such programs is completed. Requires part A funds to supplement, not supplant, regular non-Federal funds. Revises, and transfers to part B of title V of HEA, provisions for Teacher Scholarships and Fellowships (currently part D). Revises, extends, and renames subpart 1 as the Paul Douglas Teacher Corps Scholarships program (currently Paul Douglas, or Congressional, Teacher Scholarships program). Bases allocation among States on school-age population. Requires State agencies to make particular efforts to attract, and give priority consideration to, ethnic and racial minority students, students with disabilities, or other individuals historically underrepresented in teaching (as well as students from low-income disadvantaged backgrounds). Requires special consideration, in selecting teacher corps members, to be given to individuals who intend to teach: (1) students with disabilities (or provide related services for them); (2) limited English proficient students; (3) preschool age children; or (4) in curricular or geographic areas where there is a demonstrated shortage of qualified teachers. Retains and extends the subpart 2 Christa McAuliffe Fellowship Program, a national fellowship program for outstanding teachers. Establishes title V part C provisions for National Programs. Establishes, as subpart 1, the National Mini Corps Program. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education to establish program partnerships with LEAs. Provides for program services for individuals who are: (1) first-generation college students or low-income individuals as defined under TRIO special programs for students from disadvantaged backgrounds; or (2) migrant or seasonal farmworkers, or the children of such farmworkers, who meet qualifications for attendance at a college or university. Provides for certain program services, also, for children who are: (1) migrant children; or (2) eligible to receive services for educationally disadvantaged children with special needs under chapter 1 of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA chapter 1). Requires the program to provide: (1) such individuals enrolled or planning to enroll in institutions of higher education with advice, training, and instructional services to help in being role models for such children; (2) such children with outreach and recruitment services to encourage them to enroll in teacher education programs; (3) such individuals enrolled in such an institution with support and instructional services to enable them to provide direct instructional services to such children, in coordination with SEA or LEA goals; (4) designation of college coordinators at participating institutions to train, supervise, and assign such individuals in cooperation with SEAs and LEAs in which such children have been identified; and (5) support for other activities related to encouraging such individuals to enter the teacher profession and provide a link to the community. Sets forth requirements for institutional applications, grant awards, and uses of funds. Establishes, as subpart 2 of part C, provisions for a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (the Board). Directs the Secretary to provide financial assistance to the Board from specified appropriations authorized for FY 1994 through 1998. Sets forth terms and conditions for such funding. Prohibits any funds from being made available to the Board after FY 1995 (except as authorized for FY 1994 through 1998). Requires the Board to consult at least twice annually with the Committee (i.e. the Fund for Improvement and Reform of Schools and Teaching Board) on design and execution of its overall research and development strategy, including compliance with merit review and open competition requirements. Requires funds for the Board under this Act to be used only for research and development of teacher assessment and certification procedures for elementary and secondary school teachers. Requires that priority be given to such activities relating to teaching: (1) the subject areas of mathematics, the sciences, foreign languages, and literacy (including reading, writing, and analytical ability); and (2) special educational populations, including limited English proficient children, gifted and talented children, children with disabilities, and economically and educationally disadvantaged children. Sets the Federal share of the cost of such Board activities at 50 percent. Requires the Board to report annually to the appropriate committees of the Congress. Requires the Secretary of Education, the Director of the National Science Foundation, and the National Research Council to review and comment on the Board's report and to report to such congressional committees on the Board's compliance with these provisions. Establishes, as subpart 3 of part C, provisions for a new Partnerships for Innovative Teacher Education program. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to and contracts with State and local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, and consortia of such institutions and agencies to plan, establish, and operate teaching schools to develop and put into practice the best knowledge about teaching. Provides that planning and implementation grant awards shall be for a term one year, with a total of five years of implementation grants under specified conditions. Provides for applications, priorities, uses of funds by award recipients, and authorized activities of such teaching schools. Sets the Federal share at 50 percent for planning grants and 33 1/3 percent for implementation grants. Establishes, as subpart 4 of part C, provisions for a Teacher Opportunity Corps (TOC), to encourage institutions of higher education to offer educational programs and financial assistance to enable paraprofessionals working in shortage area schools serving disadvantaged students to become certified teachers. Directs the Secretary to allocate TOC program grant funds to States according to the same formula under which States receive ESEA chapter 1 funding for education of disadvantaged children. Requires TOC grant program agreements to include provisions for administration and recordkeeping by the State education or higher education agency. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States to support TOC programs at institutions of higher education. Sets forth State grant application requirements and general criteria for State grants, including: (1) involvement of institutions of higher educaiton and shortage area schools or school districts; (2) full creditability to a baccalaurate program leading to teacher certification; (3) a program evaluation system; and (4) appropriate credit for paraprofessional classroom experience as practice or student teaching. Requires any paraprofessional who receives student financial assistance under the TOC program to agree to act as a paraprofessional in a shortage area school for at least one year for each year of such assistance, within ten years after completing the the postsecondary education. Requires repayment of all or part of such assistance, plus interest and reasonable collection costs, if the recipient fails to comply with this service requirements, except in specified circumstances. Requires that such student financial assistance supplement, but not supplant, other Federal or State assistance for which the student would otherwise qualify. Requires TOC program grants to be for a term of at least five years, subject to availability of appropriations. Allows States to use TOC program funds for: (1) student financial assistance to paraprofessionals to pay part or all of the costs of attendance in postsecondary education programs required for teacher certification; (2) instructional and supportive services for such paraprofessionals during participation in such programs; and (3) payment of child care expenses to attend postsecondary classes required for teacher certification. Establishes, as subpart 5 of part C, a National Job Bank for Teacher Recruitment. Directs the Secretary, through the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI), to study the feasibility of establishing: (1) a clearinghouse to operate a national teacher job bank; and (2) regional clearinghouses. Directs the Secretary, through OERI, to contract with one or more State entities, nonprofit organizations, or higher education institutions to pay the Federal share of costs of establishing a Teacher Job Bank Clearinghouse to help: (1) public and private education agencies locate qualified applicants for teaching-related positions; and (2) individuals locate teaching-related jobs or training necessary to enter the teaching profession. Sets forth requirements for applications and authorized uses of funds. Retains and extends, and transfers to subpart 6 of part C of title V, provisions for Midcareer Teacher Training for Nontraditional Students (currently part A of title V). Alternative Routes to Teacher and Principal Certification and Licensure Act of 1991 - Establishes, as subpart 7 of part C of title V of HEA, Alternative Routes to Teacher and Principal Certification and Licensure. Establishes program of assistance for alternative routes to teacher certification or licensure, to improve the supply of qualified elementary and secondary school teachers and principals by assisting State programs to help talented professionals who have demonstrated high competence in a subject area and wish to pursue education careers to meet State certification licensing requirements, with special emphasis on minority group member participation. Sets forth requirements for allotments, State applications, and uses of funds. Repeals this subpart as of July 1, 1995. (Authorized appropriations for this subpart for FY 1993.) Title VI: International Education Programs - Revises title VI of HEA, International Education Programs. Revises provisions for part A, International and Foreign Language Studies. Revises provisions for graduate and undergraduate language and area studies, to add to authorized uses of program grants the establishing and maintaining of linkages with overseas institutions of higher education and other organizations that may contribute to specified educational objectives of the program or center. Authorizes the Secretary to make additional grants to comprehensive language and area centers for programs of linkage or outreach: (1) between foreign language, area studies, and other international fields and professional schools and colleges; (2) with two-and four-year colleges and universities; (3) with departments or agencies of State and Federal governments; (4) with the news media, business, professional, or trade associations; and (5) carried out by summer institutes in foreign area and other international fields. Revises provisions for stipends. Revises provisions for language resource centers. Revises provisions for undergraduate international studies and foreign language programs. Limits program grants to not more than 50 percent of project costs. Replaces model grant provisions with provisions for grants to strengthen programs of demonstrated excellence to ensure their self-sustaining maintenance and growth and enhance their capacity-building and dissemination functions. Authorizes the Secretary to also make grants for programs of national significance for undergraduate international studies and foreign language education purposes. Retains and extends provisions for intensive summer language institutes. Revises provisions for research, studies, and annual reports. Revises provisions for assistance in acquiring and making available periodicals published outside the United States to add provisions for other research materials published outside the United States. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 through 1997 for such assistance (in addition to other funds authorized for part A). Requires the Secretary, in awarding grants under part A International and Foreign Language Studies, to ensure that an appropriate portion of such funds are used to support undergraduate education. Extends through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for title VI part A, International and Foreign Language Studies. Revises title VI part B provisions for Business and International Education Programs. Revises provisions both for centers for international business education and for education and training programs to add to authorized users of such center and program grants: (1) establishment of linkages overseas with institutions of higher education and other organizations that contribute to such centers' and programs' educational objectives, and (2) summer institutes in international business, foreign area, and other international studies designed to carry out specified purposes. Extends through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for title VI part B, Business and International Education Programs, including Centers for International Business Education and Education and Training Programs. Revises title VI part C general provisions to eliminate provisions for an Advisory Board. Adds a definition of critical languages. Provides that amendments to title VI establishing new programs or expanding existing programs pursuant to this Act shall not be funded in FY 1993 through 1997 unless and until the Congress enacts appropriations for pre-1992 title VI programs enacted prior to this Act at a level no less than their, FY 1992 funding. Establishes a new part D of title VI, the Institute for International Public Policy (the Institute), which shall, conduct a program to significantly increase the numbers of African Americans and other minorities in the foreign service of the United States. Authorizes the Institute to be established through grant or contract between the Secretary and an eligible recipient (a consortia of institutions eligible for title III part B assistance for historically Black colleges and universities, other institutions of higher education serving substantial numbers of African American and other minority students, and institutions of higher education with nationally recognized programs in training foreign service professionals). Requires each consortia to designate a host institution for the Institute. Sets forth the components of the academic program of the Institute, including a junior year abroad, academic year and summer internships, a masters degree program, and fellowships for full-time study for students who agree to enter the U.S. foreign service. Requires appointment of a Board of Visitors for the Institute. Sets forth matching requirements and provisions for gifts and donations. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 for the Institute. Title VII: Construction, Reconstruction and Renovation of Academic Facilities - Revises title VII of HEA, Construction, Reconstruction, and Renovation of Academic Facilities. Revises title VII program purposes, and makes a priority on renovation optional rather than mandatory. Extends through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for the following title VII programs: (1) part A, Grants for the Construction, Reconstruction, and Renovation of Undergraduate Academic Facilities; (2) part B, Grants for Construction, Reconstruction, and Renovation of Graduate Academic Facilities; (3) part C, Loans for Construction, Reconstruction, and Renovation of Academic, Housing, and Other Educational Facilities (consolidates the current parts C and F); and (4) part D, Grants to Pay Interest on Debt. Revises title VII part A provisions for Grants for the Construction, Reconstruction, and Renovation of Undergraduate Academic Facilities. Limits the total payment of under part A for any fiscal years to institutions of higher education in any State to not move than 12 1/2 percent of part A appropriations. Directs the Secretary to use a national peer review panel in making part A grants to institutions. Retains provisions for cost limitations and use for maintenance. Retains part B provisions for Grants for Construction, Reconstruction, and Renovation of Graduate Academic Facilities. Consolidates loan programs under current part C and part F provisions into a new part C, Loans for Construction, Reconstruction, and Renovation of Academic, Housing, and Other Educational Facilities. Sets forth provisions for such Federal assistance in the form of loans, use of funds, and a revolving loan fund. Limits to not more than 12 1/2 percent of part C funds in the form of loans the amount which may be made available to educational institutions within any one State. Directs the Secretary, in awarding part C loans, to give priority to loans for renovation or reconstruction of: (1) graduate or undergraduate academic facilities; and (2) older graduate or undergraduate academic facilities that have gone without major renovation or reconstruction for an extended period. Provides for a portion of funds obtained pursuant to specified provisions under title IV of the Housing Act of 1950 to be available for part C purposes. Retains part D provisions for Grants to Pay Interest on Debt, and part E provisions for the College Construction Loan Insurance Association. Eliminates provisions for part G, Special Programs. Establishes a new part F, Historically Black College and University Capital Financing. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into insurance agreements to provide financial insurance to guarantee full payment of principal and interest on qualified bonds to facilitate capital financing for historically Black colleges and universities (eligible institutions). Requires the Secretary to designate a qualified bonding authority that agrees to assume specified responsibilities, including using bond proceeds to make loans to eligible institutions for capital projects. Limits the aggregate principal amount of outstanding bonds insured under this Act together with any accrued unpaid interest thereon. Limits the specified portions of such aggregate amount which may be used for loans to eligible institutions that are, respectively, private or public. (Provides, for such purposes, that Lincoln University of Pennsylvania and Howard University in Washington, D.C., are public institutions.) Sets forth duties and powers of the Secretary under this part F, including procedures for designation of the bonding authority. Establishes, within the Department of Education, the Historically Black College and University Capital Financing Advisory Board. Provides for minority business enterprise utilization under this part F. Repeals title VII part J (I) provisions for the Agriculture, Strategic Metals, Minerals, Forestry, and Oceans College and University Research Facilities and Instrumentation Modernization Program. Title VIII: Cooperative Education - Revises title VIII of HEA, Cooperative Education. Extends through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for cooperative education programs under title VIII. Limits eligibility to apply for new administration grants under title VIII to those institutions of higher education which have not received funds for the administration of the cooperative education program for the preceding ten years. Revises provisions for Federal share and applications. Title IX: Graduate Programs - Revises title IX of HEA, Graduate Programs. Directs the Secretary to provide for coordinated administration and regulation of assisted graduate programs to ensure that they are carried out in a manner most compatible with academic practices. Directs the Secretary to appoint administrative and technical employees with the appropriate educational background to assist in program adminstration. Revises and renames part A, Grants to Institutions to Encourage Women and Minority Participation in Graduate Education (currently, Grants to Institutions to Encourage Minority Participation in Graduate Education). Adds provisions for women (as well as for individuals from minority groups underrepresented in graduate education) under such part A program. Adds provisions for information collection under such part A program. Revises title IX part B provisions. Renames part B as Postbaccalaureate Opportunity and Harris Fellowship Programs (currently Patricia Roberts Harris Fellowships). Provides for a subpart 1 program of Postbaccaulaureate masters and professional education of women and minorities underrepresented in such education. Provides for a subpart 2 program, the Patricia Roberts Harris Graduate Fellowship Program, to provide, through institutions of higher education, grants to assist the doctoral education for women and individuals from underrepresented groups. Provides for individual stipends comparable with National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowships. Revises title IX part C provisions for the Jacob K. Javits Fellows Program. Authorizes up to 600 new fellowships per year (currently limited to 450 per-year). Revises provisions for individual stipends (to be comparable with National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowships). Sets the institutional assistance payment at $10,000, to be adjusted annually for inflation. Revises title IX part D provisions for Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need. Provides for institutional commitments to provide stipends to complete graduate study to include students pursuing a doctoral degree after having completed a masters degree program. Provides for individual stipend comparable to National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowships. Provides for an added institutional assistance payment of $10,000, to be adjusted for inflation. Revises title IX part E provisions for Assistance for Training in the Legal Profession. Requires such assistance to be for minority and other low-income, disadvantaged college graduates to successfully pursue a law degree and service in the legal profession. Requires such assistance to be through and annual grant on contract with the Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO). Sets forth authorized services for part E legal training projects. Requires the Secretary, by grant or contract on a biennial basis, with CLEO, to cover all or part of costs of specified activities. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 through 1996 for specified authorized services provided by part E legal training projects. Revises title IX part F provisions for Law School Clinical Experience Programs. Authorize grant use to cover costs of continuing (as well as establishing or expanding) such programs. Increases the maximum amount any law school may receive under part F in any fiscal year (from $100,000 to $250,000). Establishes, as a new part G of title IX, a program of Grants to Institutions to Encourage Minorities to Enter the Higher Education Professorate. Directs the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education or to nonprofit organizations associated with such institutions with a demonstrated record of enhancing minority access to graduate education), in consortia with historically black colleges and universities and other institutions with significant enrollments of African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans. States that such grants shall enable such institutions to: (1) identify talented candidates for and recipients of baccalaureate degrees and faculty who wish to enter or continue in the higher education professorate; and (2) provide such students and faculty with stipends and fellowships to assist them in obtaining a doctoral degree and returning to an institution of higher education to teach. Designates such fellowships as the Faculty Development Fellowships. Sets forth application and selection requirements. Requires each Faculty Development Fellowship recipient to agree to teach at an institution of higher education for two years for every one year of fellowship assistance, or else repay the fellowship. Sets forth repayment procedures and exceptions. Transfers to part H of title IX provisions for Authorization of Appropriations (currently part G). Extends for FY 1993 through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for the following title IX programs: (1) part A, Grants to Institutions to Encourage Women and Minority Participation in Graduate Education; (2) part B, subpart 1, Postbaccalaureate Opportunity Fellowships; (3) part B, subpart 2, Patricia Roberts Harris Graduate Fellowship Program; (4) part C, Jacob K. Javits Fellows Program; (5) part D, Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need; (6) part F, Law School Clinical Experience Programs; and (7) part G, Grants to Institutions to Encourage Minorities to Enter the Higher Education Professorate. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1994 through 1998 for part E, Assistance for Training in the Legal Profession (under part E, this Act also authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 through 1996 for specified authorized services provided by part E legal training projects). Title X: Postsecondary Improvement Program - Revises title X of HEA, Postsecondary Improvement Program. Authorizes the Secretary to make planning grants to institutions of higher education for the development and testing of innovative techniques in postsecondary education. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 through 1997 for such planning grants. Extends through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for HEA title X part A, Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (the Fund) (to which such planning grant provisions are added). Extends through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for part B, Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Programs. Retains the current division of such funds as follows: (1) 50 percent for the Minority Science Improvement Program; (2) 33 1/3 percent for Science and Engineering Access Programs; and (3) 16 2/3 percent for the Special Services Projects progam. Redesignates the current part C of title X of HEA, Innovative Projects for Community Services and Student Financial Assistance, as part C of a new title XI of HEA (Student Community Service). Establishes a new part C of title X of HEA, Special Projects in Areas of National Need. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education, consortia thereof, and other public agencies and nonprofit institutions for innovative projects concerning one or more areas of particular national need in postsecondary education identified by the Secretary and the Director of the Fund. Sets forth application requirements. Requires areas of national need to initially include, but not be limited to: (1) international exchanges; (2) campus climate and culture; and (3) evaluation and dissemination. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 through 1997 for such grants Title XI: Student Community Service - Establishes a new title XI of HEA, Student Community Service, which consolidate current and new HEA community service programs. Some elements of the current title XI, Partnerships for Economic Development and Urban Community Service, are contained in revised forms under the new title I of HEA, as amended by this Act.) Establishes, as part A of title XI, Higher Education Innovative Projects for Community Service, to support innovative projects to encourage students to participate in community service activities while attending institutions of higher education (such provisions are revised and transferred from the National and Community Service Act of 1990). (The current part A of title XI of HEA is Partnerships for Community Development.) Authorizes the Secretary (after consultation with the Commission on National Service, to insure coordination of activities, to make part A grants to and contracts with institutions of higher education (including consortia of such institutions) working in partnership with other public agencies and nonprofit organizations, to: (1) enable institutions to create or expand community service activities to their students; (2) encourage community service projects designed and initiated by students; (3) encourage student participation in community service activities that engender social responsibility and commitment to the community; (4) encourage students to assist in teaching individuals with limited basic skills or an inability to read and write; and (5) provide for training teachers, prospective teachers, related education personnel, and community leaders in the skills necessary to develop community service acitivites. Requires, with respect to proposed community service activities, consideration of: (1) the particular needs of a community; (2) the grantee's ability to actively involve a major part of the community; and (3) whether the community will benefit substantially. Sets the Federal share at not more than 50 percent. Sets forth application requirements. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 through 1997 for such part A program. Establishes a new part B of title XI, Student Literacy Corps and Student Mentoring Corps (the current part D of title I of HEA provides for a Student Literacy Corps). Authorizes the Secretary to make part B grants to institutions of higher education for up to four years to carry out literacy corps programs and/or mentoring corps programs in public community agencies in the communities in which the institutions are located. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such grant funds. Sets forth application requirements for such programs. Sets forth provisions for technical assistance and coordination arrangements. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 through 1997 for such part B programs. Sets forth, as part C of title XI, provisions for Innovative Projects for Community Services and Student Financial Independence (currently such provisions are under part C of title X). Extends through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for such part C projects. Sets forth, as part D of title XI, provisions for Community Service-Learning. Transfers and revises such provisions, which are currently under title IV part C, for: (1) work-study for community service-learning on behalf of low-income individuals and families; and (2) community service job location and development programs for students at institutions of higher education. Establishes, as part E of title XI, Grants for Sexual Offenses Education and prevention programs. Authorizes the Secretary to make such part E program grants to and contracts with institutions of higher education, on a competitive basis. Requires program grants, in general, to be used to educate and provide support services to student victims of sexual offenses. Sets forth authorized activities. Requires that at least 25 percent ofprogram funds be available for grants for model demonstration programs, to be coordinated with local rape crisis centers, for: (1) development and implementation of quality rape prevention and education curricula; and (2) local programs to provide services to student sexual offense victims. Requires, under conditions for institutional eligibility for part E grants, written policies that: (1) prohibit all forms of sexual offenses; and (2) require disclosure to the victim of any sexual offense the outcome of any campus police investigation or campus disciplinary proceedings brought pursuant to the victim's complaint against the alleged perpetrator. Gives priority to grant applicants who do not have an established campus education program regarding sexual offenses. Sets forth requirements for part E grant applictions and grantee performance reports. Directs the Secretary to: (1) promulgate regulations for such program; and (2) report on such program to congressional committees responsible for issues relating to higher education and crime. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 through 1995 for such part E grants for sexual offenses education and prevention programs. Repeals provisions of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 relating to Higher Education Innovative Projects for Innovative Eduction (such provisions are transferred in a revised form to part A of title XI of HEA by this Act, as described above). Title XII: General Provisions - Revises title XII of HEA, General Provisions. Revises HEA definitions, including that of institution of higher education, and adds, definitions with cross-reference to other laws. Revises antidiscrimination provisions to declare that nothing in HEA shall be construed to limit any individual's rights or responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or any other law. Adds requirements for institutional disclosures of foreign gifts. Requires such disclosure reports to be made to the Secretary and to be open to public inspection. Provides for court orders to enforce such disclosure requirements. Title XIII: Indian Higher Education Programs - Part A: Tribally Controlled Community Colleges - Amends the Tribally Controlled Community College Assistance Act of 1978 to extend the authorization of appropriations: (1) from FY 1992 through 1996, for technical assistance contracts, grants to tribally controlled community colleges, and a renovation program and construction of new facilities; and (2) from FY 1993 through 1997, for the tribally controlled community college endowment program grants and economic development program. Amends the Navajo Community College Act to extend the authorization of appropriations from FY 1993 through 1997 for construction grants. Part B: Higher Education Tribal Grant Authorization Act - Higher Education Tribal Grant Authorization Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior (the Secretary, for purposes of this part B of title XIII) to make grants to Indian tribes (tribes) to permit them to provide financial assistance to individual Indian students for the cost of attendance at institutions of higher education. Provides that such grants shall come from appropriations for supporting higher education grants for Indian students under the authority of the Snyder Act. Prohibits the Secretary from placing any restrictions not expressly authorized by this part on the use of funds provided to an Indian tribe under this part. Provides that this Act shall not affect any Federal trust responsibilities. Prohibits any termination, modification, suspension, or reduction of grants under this part which is only for the convenience of the administering agency. Allows any tribe to qualify for such a grant by filing: (1) a notice of intent to administer such a student assistance program, if such tribe obtains funds for educational purposes similar to those authorized in this part pursuant to a contract under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) (contracting tribe); or (2) an application for such a grant, if the tribe does not have such an ISDEAA contract (noncontracting tribe), under guidelines for programs under ISDEAA. Presumes an Indian tribe which has qualified for such a grant to continue to be eligible for such a grant for each succeeding fiscal year, unless the Secretary revokes such eligibility for a specified cause, involving failure to submit annual financial statements and program descriptions to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) or biennial financial audits to the Secretary, or independently evaluated failure to comply with standards relating to eligible students, programs, or institutions of higher education, satisfactory progress, or allowable administrative costs, as determined under ISDEAA contracts. Sets forth procedural safeguards relating to such revocations, including written notice, opportunity and technical assistance to make corrections, and hearing and appeals applicable under ISDEAA. Directs the Secretary to continue to determine the amount of program funds to be received by each grantee under this part by the same method used for determining such distribution in FY 1991 for tribally-administered and BIA-administered programs of grants to individual Indians to defray postsecondary expenses. Provides for additional amounts to cover program administrative costs, determined for: (1) contracting tribes, by the method used by the grantee during the preceding ISDEAA contract period; and (2) noncontracting tribes, by the ISDEAA regulations governing such determinations, as in effect at the time of the grant application. Provides for a single grant to each grantee during any fiscal year, combining such program and administrative funds. Requires the grant to be maintained in a separate account. Requires the tribes to use such grants to make grants to individual Indian students to meet, on the basis of need, any educational expense of attendance in a postsecondary education program (as determined under ISDEAA contracts), to the extent such expense is not met through other sources or cannot be defrayed through the action of any State, Federal, or municipal Act (except that nothing in these provisions is to be interpreted as requiring any priority in consideration of resources). Allows use of such grants also for program administrative costs, within the specified limits. Bars use of grant funds for study at a divinity school or department or for any religious worship or sectarian activity. Sets forth provisions for grant payments. Requires that interest or any other income on grant funds: (1) be used only for the same purposes as the grants; (2) be the property of the tribe or tribal organization; and (3) not be taken into account by Federal officers or employees in determining whether to provide assistance, or the amount of assistance, under any Federal law. Sets forth requirements relating to investments and deposits of such funds. Provides that such funds shall not be considered for purposes of underrecovery or overrecovery determinations by any Federal agency for any other funds. Directs the Secretary to report biennially to the Congress on the programs established under this part, including specified items. Requires that: (1) grant applications, and application modifications, be reviewed and approved by personnel under the direction and control of the Director of the Office of Indian Education Programs; and (2) required reports be submitted to such personnel. Requires that specified provisions of the ISDEAA be applicable to grants provided under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to issue regulations relating to discharge of duties specifically assigned to the Secretary by this part. Prohibits the Secretary from issuing regulations in all other matters relating to the details of planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of grants under this part. Provides that regulations issued under these provisions shall not have the standing of a Federal statute for purposes of judicial review. Sets forth procedures for retrocession of programs assisted under this part. Makes any such retrocession requested by a tribe effective on a date specified by the Secretary not more than 120 days after such request, or such later date as may be mutually agreed upon by the Secretary and the tribe. Requires the Secretary, if such program is retroceded, to provide any tribe served by such program at least the same quantity and quality of services. Requires the tribal governing body requesting the retrocession to specify whether the retrocession shall be to: (1) a contract administered by the tribe, or a tribal entity, under the authority of the ISDEAA; or (2) a BIA-administered program. Part C: Critical Needs for Tribal Development Act - Critical Needs for Tribal Development Act - Authorizes an eligible Indian tribe or tribal organization to require any applicant for federally funded higher education assistance to enter into a critical area service agreement, as a condition of receipt of such assistance. Requires such tribe or tribal organization that implements such critical area service agreements to designate particular occupational areas as critical areas for the economic or human development needs of the tribe or its members, and to notify the Secretary of the Interior in writing of such designated critical areas. Establishes guidelines and procedures to implement such critical area service agreements. Part D: Institute of American Indian Native Culture and Arts Development - Amends the Higher Education Amendments of 1986 (of which title XV is the American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Culture and Art Development Act is referred to as the Act for purposes of this part) to revise provisions relating to the Institute of American Indian Native Culture and Arts Development (the Institute) and its Board of Directors (the Board). Requires that Board members represent diverse fields of expertise, including finance, law, and fine arts higher education administration. Directs the President to carry out through the Board the publication of announcements of expiration of terms and the solicitation of nominations from Indian tribes and organizations to fill vacancies. Authorizes the Board to: (1) make recommendations based on nominations received; (2) make recommendations of its own; and (3) review and make comments on individuals being considered by the President for whom no nominations have been received. Grants the Board the power to recommend the continuation of Board members, in order to maintain stability and continuation, in accordance with specified procedures. Revises general powers of the Board. Authorizes the Board to: (1) enter into joint development ventures with public or private commercial or noncommercial entities for development of facilities to meet a specified required plan (provided that such ventures are related to and further the Institute's mission); and (2) designate annually a portion (up to ten percent) of specified appropriated funds for investment on a short-term basis to maximize yield and liquidity. Requires that interest and earnings on specified amounts received and invested by the Institute be expended to carry out the Act. Revises provisions for basic compensation rates for Institute staff to require these to be set at rates comparable to those of similar institutions of higher education (or, as at present, at civil service rates for individuals with comparable qualifications). Revises Institute functions to eliminate certain requirements relating to a Center for Culture and Art Studies, Center for Research and Cultural Exchange, and Museum of American Indian and Alaska Native Arts. Makes the Board responsible for establishing the policies and administrative organization relating to the administrative organization relating to the administrative control and monitoring responsibilities for all Institute subdivisions, administrative entities, and departments, with the specific responsibilities of each to lie solely within the discretion of the Board or its designee. Requires the Board to establish, within the Institute, departments for the study of culture and arts and for research and exchange, and a museum. Directs the Board to establish areas of competency for such departments. Authorizes the Institute to develop a policy or policies to extend preference to Indians in its program admissions and enrollment, employment, and contracts, fellowships, and grants. (Currently authorizes the Institute to simply extend such preference.) Revises provisions relating to transfer of functions, including certain provisions for forgiveness of amounts owed and hold harmless provisions. Eliminates requirements for an annual report by the Institute President. Revises provisions relating to the Institute's headquarters to refer to the Board, rather than the Secretary of the Interior. Provides that the Institute shall not be subject to any requirement for non-Federal matching funds as a condition for Federal assistance. Revises provisions for the Institute's endowment program. Allows the Institute to use funds from any non-Federal governmental source (as well as from any private or tribal source) to comply with a contribution requirement. Directs the Board to prepare a master plan on the short- and long-term facilities needs of the Institute, including specified types of evaluations, impact projections, periodic reviews, and needs prioritization. Requires transmittal of such plan to the Congress within 18 months after enactment of this part. Part E: Tribal Development Student Assistance Revolving Loan Program - Tribal Development Student Assistance Act - Establishes a student assistance revolving loan program for Native Americans, to be administered by tribes or tribal organizations. Requires that funds received under a grant under this part or recovered under specified provisions of this part be identified and accounted for separately from any other tribal or Federal funds received from the Federal Government. Requires that all funds in such account be used for the purposes of this Act. Makes the Secretary of the Interior (the Secretary, for purposes of this part) responsible for establishing requirements for receipt, investment, and accounting of such funds to safeguard any financial interests of the Federal Government. Requires such funds to be: (1) invested by the tribe or tribal organization only in obligations of the United States or in obligations or securities guaranteed or insured by the United States; or (2) deposited only in accounts that are insured by an agency or instrumentality of the United States. Provide that any interest or investment income that accrues to any of such funds after they have been distributed to a tribe or tribal organization to make loans under this part shall be: (1) the property of the tribe or tribal organization; and (2) not taken into account by any Federal officer or employee in determining whether to provide to provide assistance, or the amount of assistance, under any provision of Federal law. Directs the Secretary to make grants under this part to: (1) tribes or multitribal organizations not serviced by current federally funded postsecondary institutions authorized for economic development grants; and (2) tribes or multitribal organizations which lack sufficient numbers of professionally trained tribal members to support established or ongoing economic development activities. Requires any tribe or tribal organization which receives such grant funds to make such funds available by loan to Native American students who have successfully completed 30 hours of postsecondary education and who are eligible for readmission to a postsecondary institution. Sets forth terms of such student loans, including: (1) being subject to repayment over a period of not more than five years; (2) not bearing interest; and (3) being subject to forgiveness for services to the tribe under specified provisions. Requires that calculation of the student's cost of attendance include all costs as determined by the tribe for purposes of fulfilling the policy of this part. Requires any student seeking such a loan to apply for and accept the maximum financial aid available from other sources. Prohibits such loans from being considered in needs analysis under any other Federal law, and from penalizing students in determining eligibility for other funds. Sets forth requirements for a written agreement between the tribe or tribal organization and the eligible recipient for service fulfillment or loan repayment. Requires the recipient to commit to: (1) perform, for each academic year of assistance under this part, one calendar year of service to the tribe or tribal organization in an occupation related to the course of study pursued and an economic or social tribal development plan (commencing not later than six months after the student ceases to carry at least one-half the normal full-time academic workload); or (2) repay to the tribe or tribal organization the full amount of the loan, in monthly or quarterly installments within five years (with such recovered funds to be reported annually to the Secretary and invested in the account). Sets forth provisions for: (1) limitations and conditions on such service; (2) waivers or suspensions of such service agreements; (3) pro rata reductions for partial service; and (4) annual certification of individuals' service by the tribe to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish an application process for making grants to eligible entities; (2) take into account in reviewing applications the number of students with partial completion identified by the applicant, relative to the total number of tribal members who would be benefitted by the provision of services; and (3) attempt to achieve geographic and demographic diversity in such grants. Directs the Secretary, subject to the availability of funds and acceptable applications, to make five four-year grants to tribes or tribal organizations. Requires that the amount of administrative costs associated with such grants be negotiated by the Secretary with successful applicants and made a part of the grant agreement. Authorizes appropriations for this part for FY 1993 through 1997. Title XIV: Miscellaneous - Part A: Studies -Directs the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) to conduct, through the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI), a two-year study of programs to increase the accessibility of postsecondary education for nontraditional students. Requires an interim and final report on such study to specified congressional committees. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study to evaluate the coordination of Federal student assistance programs with other benefit programs funded in whole or part with Federal funds. Requires particular attention to: (1) the effect of receipt of student aid on reduction or denial of other program benefits to such students; and (2) the attendance cost elements funded in whole or part by Federal student assistance programs for students eligible for other Federal programs, and the inclusion of room and/or board costs in such attendance costs. Requires a report on such study to appropriate congressional committees within three years. Directs the Secretary to conduct an annual special purpose survey of factors associated with participation of low-income, disadvantaged, and minority students in various types of postsecondary education. Requires such survey data to permit comparisons with other groups that have characteristically participated at higher rates than at-risk students. Requires consultation with the Congress and the elementary, secondary, and higher education community in developing such annual survey. Sets forth required inclusions in such survey. Requires the Secretary, in the event of significant findings related to underparticipation rates of at-risk and other students, to submit a plan containing policies and program modifications for ensuring the participation of at-risk students. Directs the Secretary, through OERI, to evaluate the effectiveness of postsecondary assistance guaranty programs for disadvantaged children that, in exchange for the child's commitment to achieving a satisfactory elementary and secondary education, promise the child the financial resources needed to pursue a postsecondary education. Requires such study to sample the types of such guarantee programs available, which may include supportive services, mentoring, study skills, and counseling for student participants. Requires dissemination of study findings. Requires an interim and a final report to specified congressional committees. Directs OERI to conduct a two-year study to: (1) assess information currently collected on graduate education; and (2) identify what additional information should be generated to guide the Department of Education in supporting graduate education. Requires consultation with other agencies and organizations involved in graduate education policies and programs. Directs the Comptroller General to evaluate staffing requirements of the U.S. Department of Education's Center for International Education, including specified considerations. Requires consultation with institutions of higher education which have participated in specified international education programs under HEA and the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act, and with national organizations of such institutions. Requires a report to the Congress within one year on such evaluation results. Part B: National Clearinghouse for Postsecondary Education Materials - Authorizes the Secretary to award a three-year grant or contract to establish a National Clearinghouse for Postsecondary Education Materials in accessible form, including audio and digital for students with disabilities. Sets forth authorized uses of such grant or contract funds. Sets forth a declining Federal share of program cost for each year of the award. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 through 1995 for such clearinghouse.

To amend title X of the Higher Education Act of 1965.

United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1991

Amends title X (Postsecondary Improvement Programs) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to authorize the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) to make planning grants to institutions of higher education for the development and testing of innovative techniques in postsecondary education. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 through 1997 for such planning grants. Extends through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for HEA title X part A, Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (the Fund) (to which such planning grant provisions are added). Redesignates the current part C of title X of HEA, Innovative Projects for Community Services and Student Financial Assistance, as part E of title XI (Partnerships for Economic Development and Urban Community Service) of HEA. Establishes a new part C of title X of HEA, Special Projects in Areas of National Need. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education, consortia thereof, and other public agencies and nonprofit institutions for innovative projects concerning one or more areas of particular national need in postsecondary education identified by the Secretary and the Director of the Fund. Sets forth application requirements. Requires areas of national need to initially include, but not be limited to: (1) international exchanges; (2) campus climate and culture; and (3) evaluation and dissemination. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 and 1997 for such grants.

Information der Bevölkerung über die zum Klimaschutz notwendigen Verhaltensänderungen (G-SIG: 12051256)

Germany · German Bundestag · 20 September 1991

Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1991

United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1991

Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1991 - Authorizes appropriations to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for FY 1992 through 1994 for specified environmental research, development, and demonstration activities and for program management and support of the Office of Research and Development. Requires the EPA Administrator to inform the appropriate congressional committees prior to the issuance of notice to close any field station, regional office, laboratory, or research center, or for a reduction-in-force. Directs the Administrator to establish a separately identified core research program consisting of fundamental ecological, health, and risk reduction research to support efforts to identify, assess, and mitigate serious environmental risks. Requires the Administrator to establish an intra-agency task group to define, review, and ensure adequate funding of the core research program. Provides that such research shall give emphasis to the effects of exposure to environmental contaminants on human immune and neurological systems. Authorizes the Administrator to award grants to eligible organizations for purposes of conducting such research. Requires the Science Advisory Board to review and make recommendations on core research program activities. Makes amounts earmarked for multimedia activities available for such research. Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish a modernization program to identify, acquire, and maintain modern buildings, facilities, supplies, and equipment needed to conduct high quality research; and (2) conduct studies and make assessments of the adequacy of the equipment and facilities to meet the needs of EPA and to attract well-qualified scientists, engineers, and other appropriate personnel. Requires the Administrator to carry out a program of environmental technology transfer and exchange of scientific information to make full use of EPA's research, development, and demonstration efforts. Directs the Science Advisory Board to submit annual reports to the Congress and the Administrator on the proposed research program described in the President's budget request for research, development, and demonstration activities of the EPA. Requires the Board to conduct periodic evaluations of selected areas of the current and planned activities. Requires concurrent submission to the Congress of any report required from the Board to the Administrator. Requires the Administrator, in reviewing research, development, and demonstration grant, contract, and cooperative agreement applications, to enter into cooperative agreements to conduct scientific and professional review of such applications. Authorizes the Administrator to use research funds authorized by this Act for such agreements. Repeals a required annual report from the Administrator of a five-year plan for environmental research, development, and demonstration. Directs the Administrator to report to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology on the accomplishments of programs authorized under this Act as they relate to EPA's mission to protect public health and the environment. Authorizes the Administrator to: (1) conduct research on the nature and impacts of international environmental problems and how to respond to such problems; and (2) provide assistance to foreign countries and international bodies to improve the quality of the environment. Directs the Administrator to: (1) implement monitoring methodologies for measuring the level of pesticides in ambient and indoor air, groundwater, soil, and food; (2) assess routes of exposure to pesticides; (3) implement monitoring methodologies to assess the extent and effects of exposure to pesticides by agricultural workers and the level of human exposure to lawn and garden pesticides; (4) conduct a demonstration project to implement methodologies for assessing pesticide residues in food and assess the feasibility of establishing an EPA program for the routine monitoring of pesticide residues in food ready for marketing; (5) determine the extent of pesticide contamination in air and groundwater; (6) study the acute and chronic health effects of exposure to pesticides and the effects resulting from exposure to cholinesterase inhibitors; (7) implement methodologies for assessing the potential health effects on agricultural workers and consumers of agricultural products from exposure to chemical pesticides; (8) conduct field studies to assess the effects of exposure to pesticides introduced in the environment through long-term use; and (9) assess and monitor the impact of biological pesticides and the impact of pesticides on air quality. Makes specified amounts available for such activities. Requires the Administrator to develop methods for chemical storage and disposal and for remediating chemical contamination in soil, groundwater, and other environmental media. Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish a program to award grants to institutions of higher education for training graduate students in the field of environmental toxicology; and (2) sponsor internships for grant recipients at EPA laboratories and administrative offices and encourage EPA staff members to hold seminars and lecture at such institutions. Limits grants to three-year periods and authorizes grant renewals. Requires the Administrator to implement a research program to increase understanding of the health effects of exposure to electric and magnetic fields. Makes specified amounts available for such program. National Arid Climate Groundwater Research Center Act - Requires the Administrator to establish the National Arid Climate Groundwater Research Center in the State of Nevada. Directs the Center to: (1) study and evaluate the availability, usage, and management of groundwater in arid regions; (2) study and evaluate means of monitoring and regulating contaminants in groundwater; (3) coordinate groundwater research with Federal, State, and private agencies; (4) encourage graduate and undergraduate education in disciplines and professions related to groundwater; (5) provide a forum for consideration of issues involving the management and protection of groundwater; and (6) make its work accessible to the public. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the annual EPA appropriations request to identify funding for source reduction research, development, and demonstration activities as a separate account. Authorizes the Administrator to conduct, and makes funds available for, such activities. Requires the Administrator to conduct a research program on the use of indoor foliage for reducing indoor air pollution. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Administrator to study and report to the Congress on the health risks, including the physiological and psychological effects on humans, associated with volcanic haze in the State of Hawaii. Authorizes appropriations.

A joint resolution calling on the President of the United States to take a leadership role in the international negotiations toward a World Forest Convention and a Framework Convention on Climate Change, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1991

Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should: (1) take a leadership role in urging other G-7 nations to reaffirm their commitment to completing, by 1992, an agreement to stem the destruction of forests worldwide and announce its intention to commit to meaningful reductions in greenhouse gases; (2) propose an agreement to curb deforestation, protect biodiversity, and stimulate positive forest policies; (3) emphasize public participation in forest conservation strategies; (4) support innovative financial mechanisms to support the efforts of developing countries to implement programs to protect forests and promote agroforestry; and (5) initiate a national plan to curb deforestation of primary forests and forests with significant biodiversity.

Expressing the sense of the Congress that the United States should assume a leadership role in the international negotiations on a World Forests Convention and a Framework Convention on Climate Change.

United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1991

Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should: (1) assume a leadership role in urging other industrialized nations to reaffirm their commitment to completing, by 1992, an agreement to stem the destruction of forests worldwide and announce its intention to commit to meaningful reductions in greenhouse gases; (2) propose an agreement to curb deforestation, protect primary forests and biodiversity, and stimulate positive forest policies; (3) emphasize public participation in forest conservation strategies; (4) support innovative financial mechanisms to support the efforts of developing countries to implement programs to protect forests and promote agroforestry; and (5) initiate a national plan to curb deforestation of primary forests and forests with significant biodiversity.

Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993

United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1991

Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993 - Title I: Department of State - Part A: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 and 1993 for the Department of State for: (1) the administration of foreign affairs; (2) the diplomatic security program; (3) international organizations and conferences; (4) international commissions; (5) migration and refugee assistance; (6) assistance for refugees resettling in Israel; (7) assistance to displaced ethnic Armenians resettling in Armenia; (8) assistance to unaccompanied minor children and other cases of special humanitarian concern that have been referred to special committees pursuant to the Comprehensive Plan of Action for Indochinese Refugees in first asylum countries in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong; (9) humanitarian assistance to displaced Burmese; (10) bilateral science and technology agreements; (11) Soviet-East European research and training; (12) Near and Middle East research and training; and (13) the Asia Foundation. Part B: Department of State Authorities and Activities - Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to authorize the Secretary of State to use funds to pay obligations arising under international agreements, conventions, and binational contracts. Requires Federal agencies that obtain administrative services from the Department of State to make full and prompt payment for such services through an advance of funds or reimbursement. Directs the Secretary to terminate services to agencies that have not made payment within a specified deadline. Waives such suspension or termination as necessary to protect life and Government property. Authorizes the transfer into the Buying Power Maintenance account of unobligated balances from accounts for the administration of foreign affairs. Prohibits the balance of such account from exceeding $100 million. Permits funds appropriated for the Department of State in any account funded in the Department of State Appropriations Act to be transferred to any other appropriations account in an emergency situation (provided the annual budget deficit is not increased and the transfer does not violate the Budget Enforcement Act of 1990). Prohibits an account from being increased by more than 15 percent (five percent for the salaries and expenses account and the acquisition and maintenance of buildings abroad account). Exempts transfers to the emergencies in the consular and diplomatic service appropriation for evacuation purposes from such limitation. Prohibits an account from being increased by more than ten percent. Treats such transfers as a reprogramming of funds. Prohibits, unless the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee are notified, the reprogramming of Department of State funds in excess of $500,000 (currently, $250,000). Extends the authorization of appropriations for grants to child care facilities at certain posts abroad. Redesignates the Office of Munitions Control of the Department of State as the Office of Defense Trade Controls and increases the amount of registration fees collected by the Office that is required to be credited to a Department of State account. Permits funds received by the Department of State in connection with Blair House (currently, funds received during FY 1990 and 1991) to be credited to the appropriate Department of State account. Prohibits the denial of, or limitations on, a passport because of any belief or activity which, if held or conducted in the United States, would be protected by the first amendment to the Constitution. Authorizes the Secretary to pay the expenses of any international meeting or conference in the United States that is hosted by the U.S. Government. Amends the Foreign Service Buildings Act of 1926 to raise the limit on the amount of a lease authorized to be entered into by the Secretary for Foreign Service buildings abroad. Permits the Secretary to make advance payments for long-term leases and lease-purchase agreements. Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1986 and 1987 to increase the amount authorized to be made available for the construction of Foreign Service Institute training facilities. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to classify as a nonimmigrant an alien coming to the United States at the request of a Government agency for employment, subject to certain conditions and numerical limitations. Directs the Secretary to notify the appropriate congressional committees each time a visa is denied to an alien for security reasons. Prohibits the Secretary from including in the Automated Visa Lookout System or in any system that maintains information about the excludability of aliens the name of any alien who is not excludable under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Requires the Secretary to correct such systems by deleting the names of aliens who are not excludable under such Act. Authorizes the Secretary to add to or retain in such system the names of aliens who are not excludable only if they are included for law enforcement purposes or lawful purposes of the Department of State. Permits the Secretary, subject to certain conditions, to enter into a multiyear (not to exceed five years) contract for the acquisition of property and construction of diplomatic facilities in Moscow. Sets forth contract provisions. Requires Department of State employees to whom a question is addressed by a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee or the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to respond to such question within 15 days unless the Secretary explains why a timely response cannot be made. Directs the Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs to report to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Speaker of the House on criteria for international loans by which the United States can determine the likelihood of repayment by another nation or organization seeking to receive U.S. loans or guarantees. Requires the Secretary to report to such individuals at least 30 days prior to the issuance of any bilateral credit or loans or prior to a vote in any multilateral institution in which the United States is a contributor on: (1) the nation's or organization's creditworthiness in accordance with such criteria; and (2) the expectation of repayment of loans to the United States or the multilateral institution. Declares that the Department of State should take advantage of evolving conditions in Eastern Europe by moving expeditiously to satisfy long-term property requirements which must be met in support of needs for effective overseas representation. Endorses recent efforts by the Department of State to develop a long-term assets management program to further efforts to acquire properties and support further initiatives in such area. Commends the Administration's decision to establish a consular office in Leipzig to strengthen the U.S. presence in eastern Germany. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Department of State should expedite its efforts to implement this decision. Part C: Diplomatic Reciprocity and Security - Amends the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 to raise the threshold (from $5,000,000 to $10,000,000) on diplomatic construction or design projects on which only U.S. persons may bid. Directs the Secretary to: (1) submit to specified congressional committees a plan which sets forth current and future space requirements for the U.S. mission in Moscow; and (2) make available to such committees copies of all agreements necessary to implement such plan. Increases the amount authorized to be appropriated for the reimbursement of State and local governments in connection with Secret Service functions with respect to foreign diplomatic missions located in metropolitan areas. Revises authorities of special agents of the Foreign Service and the Department of State to authorize such agents to make arrests without warrant for any offense against the United States committed in their presence or for any felony if they have reasonable grounds to believe that the person to be arrested has committed or is committing such felony. Requires the Secretary to: (1) report to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Speaker of the House on security needs for diplomatic construction; and (2) review the Inman Report and address whether changing budgetary and foreign policy priorities continue to justify the Report's recommendations. Part D: Personnel - Directs the Secretary to appoint seven individuals to: (1) examine and report to specified congressional committees on personnel issues affecting Foreign Service and civil service employees at the Department of State; and (2) report to such committees on compliance by the Department of State with recommendations of a commission established to study the Foreign Service personnel system. Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to grant access to commissaries to American citizens hired to serve as teaching staff for dependents of employees abroad. Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to extend the period of temporary storage of personal effects of Foreign Service employees for an additional 90 days in extraordinary circumstances. Authorizes the Secretary to pay for the transport of the remains of a Foreign Service member to the designated home in the United States if the death of such member occurs in the United States. (Current law authorizes payment only for the transport of the remains of a member or family member who dies while abroad or in travel status.) Provides for payment for up to 60 days to Federal employees whose families or dependents are required to evacuate a post (even if the employee remains at such post). Revises Federal provisions regarding quarters, education, and cost-of-living allowances for Federal employees stationed in foreign countries. Establishes in the Treasury a fund for separation pay for foreign national employees for agencies other than the Department of Defense. Part E: International Organizations and Commissions - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations should ensure that in-kind contributions to the United Nations peacekeeping forces are included at their full value when calculating contributions to such forces. Authorizes the President to withhold 20 percent of the funds allocated for the U.S. contribution to the United Nations if the United Nations has failed to implement decision-making procedures on budgetary matters which assure that attention is paid to the views of the United States and other major financial contributors. Requires the President to notify the Congress when a decision is made to withhold a contribution to the United Nations or to pay any previously withheld contribution. Permits payments of assessed contributions for prior years to the United Nations if such payment would further U.S. interests in such organization. Repeals provisions of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1986 and 1987 and the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991 concerning United Nations budget procedures. Repeals a provision of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1988 and 1989 that requires the Secretary to report on the status of secondment within the United Nations by the Soviet Union and Soviet-bloc member nations. Withholds the payment of all U.S. arrearages to Special Purpose International Organizations until the Secretary reports to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Speaker of the House on: (1) the purpose and activities of such organizations; (2) the political and economic benefits to the United States of membership in such organizations; and (3) the effect on American consumers and importers of the activities and policies of organizations dealing with economic commodities. Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to add to the list of the Secretary's authorities the authority to make payments, in advance, of the U.S. share of expenses for international fisheries commissions. Amends the Japan-United States Friendship Act to revise provisions concerning administrative expenses of the Japan-United States Friendship Commission. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on the activities (after April 30, 1990) of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Earmarks amounts from funding authorized for international fisheries commissions for the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. Sets forth U.S. policy with respect to Inter-American organizations. Requires the Secretary to direct the Assistant Secretary for International Organization Affairs to review policies for the provision of housing benefits to U.S. Government personnel assigned to the U.S. mission to the United Nations. Part F: Foreign Relations of the United States Historical Series - Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to set forth provisions concerning the "Foreign Relations of the United States" historical series, a documentary record of major U.S. foreign policy decisions and diplomatic activity. Requires the series to be published within 30 years after the events recorded. Makes the Historian of the Department of State responsible for the preparation of the series. Establishes an Advisory Committee on Historical Diplomatic Documentation to review and make recommendations concerning the selection of records to be included in the series. Directs all Federal agencies engaged in foreign policy to develop procedures for their historical offices to coordinate with the Department of State in selecting and permitting access to records for purposes of inclusion in the series. Requires selected records to be submitted to the originating agency for declassification review. Directs the originating agency, if a record is not declassifiable, to make deletions in the text to make the record declassifiable. Requires the Historian, if the meaning of a record is so altered by such deletions that the series would be misleading, to request the originating agency to prepare an unclassified summary of the record. Sets forth procedures to be followed if the originating agency refuses to prepare a declassified record or an unclassified summary. Requires declassification of Department of State records within 30 years after such records were prepared. Makes such records available to the public at the National Archives. Exempts specified records (for security or privacy reasons) from such requirement. Part G: Near and Middle East Research and Training Act - Near and Middle East Research and Training Act - Establishes the Near and Middle Eastern Advisory Committee within the Department of State to recommend grant policies for carrying out the objectives of this part. Declares that payments shall be made for: (1) a national research program at the postdoctoral level; (2) a program of graduate, postdoctoral, and teaching fellowships for advanced training in Near and Middle Eastern studies; (3) the dissemination of research and findings on such studies and related fields; (4) fellowship and research support for American specialists in such studies; (5) seminars and workshops to facilitate research collaboration between Government and private specialists in such studies; (6) advanced training and research on a reciprocal basis in Near and Middle Eastern countries; and (7) language training. Sets forth application procedures for institutions seeking funding. Part H: Miscellaneous Provisions - Repeals a provision of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1986 and 1987 concerning a travel advisory warning for Jalisco, Mexico. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress every 180 days on: (1) the progress made in rescinding United Nations General Assembly Resolution 3379 which maintains that Zionism is a form of racism; (2) the progress made by every member of the General Assembly in recognizing Israel; (3) the extent to which Arab nations which have refused to recognize Israel or have maintained a state of belligerency against Israel have taken steps to end the economic boycott and state of belligerency and to negotiate with Israel; and (4) the means utilized by the United States to encourage the Arab states allied with the United States in the Persian Gulf War to achieve such objectives. Redesignates the Iraq Sanctions Act of 1990 as the Iraq International Law Compliance Act. Requires the Secretary to: (1) coordinate the U.S. Government response to international water resource disputes and needs; (2) represent the U.S. Government in fora in discussions concerning access to fresh water; and (3) formulate U.S. policy to assist in the resolution of international problems posed by the lack of fresh water supplies. Repeals a provision of the Soviet-East European Research and Training Act that terminates Soviet-East European training by a specified date. Title II: United States Informational, Educational, and Cultural Programs - Part A: United States Information Agency - Authorizes appropriations for the U.S. Information Agency (USIA) for FY 1992 and 1993. Earmarks an amount for the establishment and operation of a USIA office in Vientiane, Laos. Amends the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 to prohibit funds in excess of $500,000 (currently, $250,000) from being made available to USIA through a reprogramming unless the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee are notified. Adds to the authorities of the USIA Director the authority to purchase, rent, construct, improve, and operate facilities for television transmission and reception. Permits the Director or other authorized Government agencies to: (1) incur expenses authorized by the Foreign Service Act of 1980; and (2) furnish living quarters and provide specified allowances for government employees in foreign countries. Authorizes the Director or such agencies to pay to or for participants in programs under the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 the costs of: (1) emergency medical expenses; (2) the preparation and transportation of remains of participants' dependents who die while away from home during such participation; and (3) health and accident insurance premiums. Requires the Director to: (1) establish a cultural center in the capital of the province of Kosovo in Yugoslavia; and (2) establish Croatian and Serbian programs within the Yugoslavian section of Voice of America (VOA). Authorizes appropriations for the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). Sets forth specified reporting requirements with respect to NED grant management. Amends the National Endowment for Democracy Act to require (currently, authorizes) USIA to audit NED financial transactions. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the NED should make efforts to solicit private contributions. Part B: Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 and 1993 to the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs for: (1) salaries and expenses; (2) the Fulbright Academic Exchange programs; (3) the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program; (4) the International Visitors Program; (5) the Arts America Program; (6) East Europe training projects; (7) citizen exchange programs; (8) the Congress-Bundestag Exchange Program; (9) the Vietnam Scholarship Program; and (10) academic exchange programs involving Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Authorizes appropriations to the Bureau for FY 1992 for the World University Games in Buffalo, New York. Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991 to extend the authorization of appropriations for scholarships for Tibetan and Burmese students and professionals. Encourages USIA to work with its German counterparts in the Congress-Bundestag Exchange Program to emphasize the participation of former citizens of the German Democratic Republic and to insure that Germans from eastern Germany are given the opportunity to participate in German-American bilateral exchange programs. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 and 1993 to be made available to the Bureau for: (1) programs in Washington, D.C., to expose students from newly democratic countries to the workings of the U.S. Government; and (2) scholarships for scholars, businesspeople, and professionals from such countries for study of democratic and free market institutions and other aspects of U.S. society. Part C: Bureau of Broadcasting - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 and 1993 to the USIA Bureau of Broadcasting for: (1) salaries and expenses; (2) television and film service; (3) acquisition and construction of radio facilities; and (4) broadcasting to Cuba. Requires the President to submit to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Speaker of the House the report of the Policy Coordinating Committee on International Broadcasting. Directs the Task Force on United States Government International Broadcasting to submit to such individuals its report to the President on U.S. Government broadcasting. Establishes a Commission on Broadcasting to the People's Republic of China to examine the feasibility, effect, and implications for U.S. foreign policy of instituting a radio broadcasting service to China to promote the dissemination of information and ideas. Requires VOA to broadcast at least one hour daily in the Kurdish language on its Persian language service and its Arabic language service to Iraq. Authorizes the USIA Director to hire Kurdish language speakers subject to certain conditions. Requires the USIA Director to submit a plan and budget for the establishment of a VOA Kurdish language service to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Speaker of the House. Directs the chairman of the Board for International Broadcasting to submit a plan and budget to such individuals for the establishment of a surrogate home service under the auspices of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) for the Kurdish people. Requires the Director to make available to the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York master copies of USIA photographic works of Richard Saunders. Provides that the Center shall reimburse USIA for expenses in making such copies available. Part D: The Educational Exchanges Enhancement Act of 1991 - Educational Exchanges Enhancement Act of 1991 - Provides for an increase in the number of USIA scholarships for foreign and U.S. students and scholars. Makes such scholarships available only to: (1) foreign students and scholars from Eastern European democracies, the Soviet Union, and countries with fewer than 1,000 citizens studying in the United States; (2) students from economic, social, or ethnic backgrounds not represented in the U.S. foreign student population; and (3) U.S. students and scholars for study, research, and teaching in Eastern European democracies, the Soviet Union, and non-European countries. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Board for International Broadcasting - Amends the Board for International Broadcasting Act to authorize appropriations for FY 1992 and 1993 to carry out such Act and the Inspector General Act of 1978. Provides that certain amounts of appropriations placed in reserve due to upward fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates shall be used to make payments to RFE/RL's U.S. and German pension plans to avoid future pension liabilities. Expresses the sense of the Congress with respect to maintaining RFE broadcasts to Eastern Europe. Title IV: The Spoils of War Act of 1991 - Spoils of War Act of 1991 - Permits spoils of war in the possession or control of the United States to be transferred to any other party only to the extent and in the same manner that property of the same type, if otherwise owned by the United States, may be so transferred. Prohibits such spoils of war from being transferred to any nation whose government has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism. Requires the President to report to the appropriate congressional committees on spoils of war obtained during Operation Desert Shield or Operation Desert Storm that were transferred to any party. Title V: Anti-Boycott Passport Act of 1991 - Anti-Boycott Passport Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary to: (1) instruct the U.S. Middle Eastern diplomatic corps to seek an end to the policy of the majority of Arab League nations of rejecting passports of, and denying entrance visas to, persons whose passports or other documents reflect that they have visited Israel; and (2) report to specified congressional committees on the status of efforts to secure an end to such policy. Prohibits the Secretary from issuing any passport that is designated for travel only to Israel. Requires the Secretary to cancel existing passports designated for travel only to Israel. Prohibits the Secretary from issuing more than one official or diplomatic passport to any U.S. Government official for purposes of enabling such official to acquiesce in or comply with the Arab League's passport policy concerning persons who have visited Israel. Title VI: Southeast Asia - Part A: Laotian-American Relations - Laotian-American Relations Act - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) upgrade the current American diplomatic representation in Vientiane, Laos, to the level of ambassador; (2) ensure that an American military attache is permanently assigned to the U.S. mission in Vientiane to assist in the recovery of American prisoners of war and missing in action; and (3) ensure that Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) personnel are permanently assigned to such mission to accelerate cooperative efforts in narcotics eradication and interdiction. Requires the USIA Director to establish an office in Vientiane, Laos, to assist in the propagation of American economic and political values. Part B: Free Market Democracy Promotion for Vietnamese Act - Free Market Democracy Promotion for Vietnamese Act - Requires the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to make available 15 scholarships during FY 1992 to enable Vietnamese residents in Vietnam to study at a U.S. college or university. Gives preference to candidates intending to pursue studies in economics and commercial law. Part C: Miscellaneous Provisions - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the goals of U.S. policy in Vietnam and Cambodia would be advanced by increased access to their territories and by reaching an agreement that would result in the lifting of the trade embargo against Vietnam and Cambodia. Expresses the sense of the Congress with respect to accounting for American prisoners of war or missing in action in Southeast Asia. Title VII: Persian Gulf War Criminals Prosecution Act of 1991 - Part A: General Provisions - Persian Gulf War Criminals Prosecution Act of 1991 - Sets forth findings regarding Iraq's violation of the Geneva Conventions. Part B: Actions By United States Agencies and Courts - Requires the President to direct Government agencies to collect and maintain evidence of crimes committed by Persian Gulf war criminals. Directs the President to consult with the Attorney General, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of Defense to determine the appropriate jurisdiction for the prosecution of such criminals. Part C: International Criminal Tribunal - Urges the President, acting through the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, to propose to the Security Council the establishment of an international criminal tribunal for the prosecution of Persian Gulf war criminals. Urges the President to work with the coalition of nations participating in Operation Desert Storm to establish such tribunal if the Secretary Council fails to take action to do so. Establishes the Office for the Prosecution of Persian Gulf War Criminals within the Department of State. Part D: Congressional Oversight - Requires the President to report to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee on: (1) the proposal developed by the Office for the establishment of an international criminal tribunal; (2) evidence of crimes under international law that justifies the prosecution of Persian Gulf war criminals; and (3) Iraqi authorities who should be prosecuted for committing such crimes. Title VIII: Arms Suppliers Regime - Arms Suppliers Regime Act of 1991 - Declares that the Secretary should undertake to convene a conference of appropriate nations to establish an arms suppliers regime. States that the purpose of such regime should be to: (1) halt the flow of unconventional arms and technologies necessary to produce such arms to nations in the Middle East; (2) limit and control the proliferation of advanced conventional arms to such nations; and (3) provide incentives for regional arms control agreements in the Middle East. Lists actions to be taken to carry out such purposes. Authorizes the President to negotiate and commit the United States to participating in a multilateral moratorium prohibiting the transfer of advanced conventional arms to the Middle East. Requires the President to report annually to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs committee on: (1) all transfers of arms to the Middle East over the previous five years; (2) the current military balance in the region; (3) the current and projected military threat to allied and friendly nations in the Middle East and the military equipment needed to deter and defend against such threat; (4) the operation of agreements comprising the arms suppliers regime; (5) the supplier nations that have refused to participate in such regime; and (6) specific actions of supplier nations that have engaged in conduct that violates or undermines the regime. Prohibits the sale of defense articles or services, or the issuance of export licenses for such articles or services, to any nation in the Middle East unless the President: (1) certifies that the Secretary has undertaken to convene the conference for the establishment of an arms suppliers regime; and (2) submits a specified report on such regime. Title IX: Miscellaneous Foreign Affairs Provisions - Requires the President to report to the Speaker of the House and the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on specified issues involving the Palestine Liberation Organization. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) all U.S. law enforcement personnel serving in Mexico should be accorded the same status as U.S. diplomatic and consular personnel serving at U.S. posts in Mexico; and (2) all Mexican narcotics law enforcement personnel serving in the United States should be accorded the same status as DEA personnel serving in Mexico. Expresses the sense of the Congress with respect to the establishment of a U.S.-Baltic Development Program and the stationing of overseas cultural/informational and commercial representatives in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on the status of discussions with Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia regarding an enhanced U.S. presence in the Baltic Republics. Amends the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1991 to provide that the period of entitlement to benefits for U.S. hostages in Lebanon shall be the period of an individual's hostage status and the 60 months following the termination of such status. Requires the President to study and report to the Congress on the feasibility of constructing a library building for the Polish Parliament (Sejm) and the availability of funds for a U.S. contribution to such project. Expresses the sense of the Congress that Tibet is an occupied country under the principles of international law whose true representatives are the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in exile. Prohibits the President from lifting U.S. economic sanctions against Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq, and directs the President to make every effort to ensure that the multinational coalition maintains the full range of economic sanctions, until such regime has released all prisoners of war and has accounted as fully as possible for all those missing in action, including Kuwaitis captured during the Iraqi occupation. Directs the Secretary to: (1) maintain a list of Kuwaiti residents believed to have been captured or detained by the Iraqi Government; and (2) report to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Speaker of the House on actions to effect the release of remaining prisoners. Expresses the sense of the Senate regarding the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee and a framework convention on global climate change. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should encourage the Government of the United Kingdom to provide the people of Hong Kong all civil liberties to bequeath a self-governing democracy to China in 1997. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should support Taiwan's role in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation. Sets forth U.S. policy with respect to arms sales to the Middle East. Amends the Arms Export Control Act to authorize the President to extend guarantees in connection with the sale of defense articles and services to NATO countries, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Israel. Limits the total amount of such guarantees in any fiscal year. Authorizes appropriations.

An act to authorize appropriations for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1991

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Authorization Act of 1991 - Title I: NOAA Atmospheric and Satellite Programs National Weather Service Operations and Research - Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Commerce for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for: (1) operations and research activities of the National Weather Service; (2) public warning and forecast systems; (3) climate and air quality research; (4) atmospheric research activities; (5) satellite observing systems activities; and (6) data and information services. Title II: NOAA Ocean and Coastal Programs - Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Commerce for NOAA for: (1) mapping, charting, and geodesy; (2) observation and assessment; (3) ocean management; and (4) ocean and Great Lakes research. Title III: NOAA Marine Fishery Programs - Amends the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Fisheries Program Act to authorize appropriations to the Department of Commerce for the National Marine Fisheries Service for information collection and analysis, conservation and management operations, and State and industry assistance. Earmarks certain funds for developing dolphin-safe methods of locating and catching yellowfin tuna. Requires measures for cost-sharing by foreign governments that conduct, or authorize their nationals to conduct, yellowfin tuna fishing in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. Amends the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act to mandate a comprehensive program of fishery research to carry out the Act. Amends the Merchant Marine Act of 1936 to define "fishery facility" as it applies to aquaculture. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Commerce for NOAA for: (1) executive direction and administration; (2) acquisition, construction, maintenance, and operation of facilities; (3) marine services; (4) acquisition of a multibeam sonar mapper; (5) reactivation and operation of a specified research vessel; (6) fleet modernization; and (7) aircraft services. Mandates acquisition of space for NOAA in the area of Newport News Norfolk, Virginia. Prohibits: (1) the Secretary of Commerce from deactivating any NOAA research vessel until an equivalent replacement vessel is operational; (2) subject to exception, construction of NOAA vessels and their major components in a foreign shipyard; and (3) overhauling, repairing, or maintaining a NOAA vessel homeported in the United States in a shipyard outside the United States. Requires consultation regarding interoperability of NOAA and Navy vessels. Mandates submission to the Congress of a detailed fleet replacement and modernization plan. Authorizes NOAA vessel acquisition by purchase, lease, lease-purchase, or otherwise under one or more multiyear contracts. Amends provisions of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936 relating to capital construction funds to add vessels operating under an agreement with the Secretary for use by NOAA to the definitions of "eligible vessel" and "qualified vessel." Prohibits the Secretary from reprogramming amounts without prior notice to specified congressional committees. Title V: Coastal Monitoring - Marine and Coastal Monitoring Act of 1991 - Establishes in NOAA a unified nationwide monitoring network, to include the National Status and Trends Program, to be the single Federal activity for the national-scale monitoring of U.S. marine and coastal waters with regard to ecological conditions. Mandates: (1) designation of specific estuarine and coastal regions of major concern for intensive monitoring; (2) establishment of monitoring coordination groups for each region; (3) establishment in NOAA of a National Coastal Monitoring Center to develop scientific methods for carrying out the monitoring under this title; and (4) development of methods for collecting and analyzing baseline data on environmental phenomena in the Boston Harbor. Authorizes appropriations.

To establish the Spark M. Matsunaga Renewable Energy and Ocean Technology Center to conduct research on renewable energy and ocean resources, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1991

Establishes the Spark M. Matsunaga Renewable Energy and Ocean Technology Center at Keahole Point, Hawaii, to conduct research, development, and techology transfer on: (1) solar and renewable energy; (2) energy storage, including the production of hydrogen from renewable energy; (3) materials applications related to energy and marine environments; and (4) other environmental and ocean resource concepts, including sea ranching and global climate change. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 through 1994 for ocean resource and renewable research, development, and technology transfer at the center.

World Climate Convention Observer Group Resolution

United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1991

World Climate Convention Observer Group Resolution - Reconstitutes and reauthorizes the Senate World Climate Convention Observer Group to monitor the World Climate Convention process. Requires that all foreign travel of the Observer Group be authorized jointly by the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate, and upon the recommendation of both the Chairman and Co-Chairman of the Group. Authorizes the Majority Leader or the Minority Leader to designate one other Senator of his party who is not a member of the Group to travel and participate in its activities in his stead, if such Leader does not travel on an official trip of the Group. Terminates this Act on July 31, 1992. Rescinds the force and effect of S.Res. 110 (102d Congress).

Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1992

United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1991

Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1992 - Makes appropriations for FY 1992 for the payment at maturity, or the redemption or buying before maturity, of a Government obligation included in the public debt for purposes of reducing a portion of such debt caused by borrowings to finance specified international affairs accounts. Title I: Multilateral Economic Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 1992 for the U.S. contribution to the: (1) International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank) and the Global Environmental Facility of such bank; (2) the International Development Association; (3) the International Finance Corporation; (4) the Inter-American Development Bank and the Fund for Special Operations of such bank; (5) the Inter-American Investment Corporation; (6) the Enterprise for the Americas Investment Fund; (7) the Asian Development Bank; (8) the Asian Development Fund; (9) the African Development Fund; (10) the African Development Bank; and (11) the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Limits the callable capital portion of the U.S. share of increases in the stock of the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the African Development Bank, and the EBRD. Requires the President to reduce from the amounts obligated for the International Development Association and the Asian Development Bank the U.S. proportionate share of any loans approved for China for non-basic human needs since October 1, 1991, if China is denied most-favored-nation trading status. Limits the amount of funds for the International Finance Corporation that may be expended for the purchase of stock. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. executive director of the Inter-American Development Bank to oppose assistance to any recipient who refuses to agree to conduct procurement of goods or services utilizing Bank funds in a nondiscriminatory manner. Requires the Secretary to certify to the Appropriations Committees that none of the funds for the Asian Development Fund will be made available for China. Makes appropriations for FY 1992 for reports calculating loans, guarantees, and insurance commitments for credit programs within the international affairs (Budget Function 150) account: (1) the probability of repayment on loans and default on guarantees; (2) subsidy estimates for each country and credit program; and (3) risk assessments for each country within each credit program. Makes appropriations for FY 1992 for international organizations and programs. Prohibits such funds from being made available to the United Nations Fund for Science and Technology. Earmarks specified amounts of such funds for certain international organizations and United Nations programs. Provides that funds may be made available to the International Atomic Energy Agency only if the Secretary of State reports to the Congress that Israel is not being denied its right to participate in the Agency. Permits funds to be made available for the Tropical Forestry Action Plan (TFAP) only if the Secretary reports to the Congress that: (1) TFAP has been reorganized, with an international steering committee and secretariat independent of the Food and Agriculture Organization; (2) TFAP's responsibilities have been broadened to include areas outside the forestry sector; and (3) procedures exist to ensure increased participation in TFAP plans. Title II: Bilateral Economic Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 1992 for development assistance. Earmarks amounts for: (1) health and child survival activities and activities relating to research on, and the treatment and control of, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS); (2) development projects of private entities and cooperatives for dairy development; (3) the Vitamin A Deficiency Program and activities relating to iodine deficiency and other micro-nutrients; (4) U.S. participation in the Associate Professional Officers Program of the international food agencies; (5) activities relating to the control and prevention of River Blindness; (6) operations for blind children; (7) cooperative projects among the United States, Israel, and developing countries (with amounts made available for the Cooperative Development Program and cooperative development research projects); (8) the Central and Latin American Rural Electrification Support project; (9) technical assistance and training programs for Soviet and Czechoslovakian statisticians and economists; and (10) Soviet and East European research and training. Limits the amount to be made available for child survival activities for Laos. Earmarks amounts from funds made available for the Agency for International Development (AID) under this title for: (1) child survival activities; and (2) programs in support of basic education activities. Makes appropriations for FY 1992 for population planning assistance. Prohibits funding for coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization. Earmarks amounts for: (1) the AID Office of Population; and (2) the United Nations Population Fund (only for contraceptive commodities and related logistics). Prohibits such funds from being made available for programs in China. Applies prohibitions on the use of funds for abortion and involuntary sterilization to funds for the Fund. Requires the Fund to maintain such funds in a separate account, without commingling. Provides for the refund of such funds to the United States if the Fund provides more than a specified amount for family planning programs for China. Prohibits the obligation of any amount for the Fund if China is denied most-favored-nation trading status. Makes appropriations for FY 1992 for the Development Fund for Africa. Earmarks an amount for activities supported by the Southern African Development Coordination Conference. Provides for the transfer of a specified amount of such funds for the International Fund for Agricultural Development's Special Program for Subsaharan African Countries Affected by Drought and Desertification. Prohibits the transfer of funds appropriated by this Act to the Government of Zaire. Earmarks development assistance funds for: (1) displaced children; (2) children in Cambodia; (3) civilians injured as a result of civil strife and warfare; (4) women in development; and (5) Burmese students. Prohibits any development assistance funds from being made available to U.S. private and voluntary organizations (except cooperative development organizations) which obtain less than 20 percent of annual funding for international activities from sources other than the U.S. Government. Provides that such prohibition shall supersede certain provisions with respect to such organizations of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Foreign Assistance and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1985. Earmarks an amount of development assistance for humanitarian assistance to Romania (with amounts for AIDS activities, child health, foster care and adoption activities, and family planning, subject to certain conditions). Limits the amount of commitments for certain loan guarantees and direct loans under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. Makes appropriations for FY 1992 for: (1) American schools and hospitals abroad; (2) international disaster assistance; (3) the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund; and (4) AID operating expenses. Requires AID, in order to effectively monitor the West Bank and Gaza program, to station one professional at either the Consulate General in Jerusalem or the embassy in Tel Aviv. Directs AID to increase the number of direct-hire professional environmental and energy staff by 20 over the number of such staff within AID at the end of FY 1991. Makes appropriations for FY 1992 for the AID Office of the Inspector General. Prohibits the use of funds from any Act to relocate the overseas offices of the Inspector General to a U.S. location without the Inspector General's approval. Requires the number of positions authorized for such office in Washington and overseas to be at least 251 by the end of FY 1992. Authorizes the Inspector General to establish a regional office in Europe to carry out responsibilities with regard to assistance for Eastern Europe. Makes appropriations for FY 1992 for: (1) modifying direct loans authorized under development and economic support assistance provisions of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and under provisions of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945; and (2) economic support fund (ESF) assistance. Earmarks amounts of ESF assistance for: (1) Israel; (2) Egypt, including an amount for the Commodity Import Program; (3) the West Bank and Gaza Program; and (4) scholarships or bicommunal projects for Cyprus. Authorizes funds for Egypt to be provided through cash transfer assistance if Egypt will undertake economic reforms. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the recommended levels of ESF assistance for Egypt and Israel are based on their continued participation in the Camp David Accords and upon the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty. Prohibits ESF funds from being made available for El Salvador's Special Investigative Unit until the Secretary of State submits a plan of the El Salvadoran Government to transfer the Unit from military to civilian control. Prohibits ESF assistance to Zaire. Limits the amount of ESF assistance for tied aid credits and for humanitarian assistance for Armenia. Earmarks ESF assistance for technical assistance in support of democratic or market-oriented reforms for Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania and eligible recipients in the Soviet Union that request such assistance. Permits such assistance to be provided only through the government of such state or republic or through nongovernmental organizations. Defines "an eligible recipient in the Soviet Union" as the government of any republic or local government that was elected through free and fair elections, any indigenous nongovernmental organization that promotes democratic reforms, human rights, the rule of law, or market-oriented reforms, or any Soviet governmental agency that promotes such reforms, provided that funds are not provided directly to such agency. Makes appropriations for FY 1992 for: (1) the U.S. contribution to the International Fund for Ireland; (2) the Multilateral Assistance Initiative for the Philippines; and (3) nonproject sector assistance for the Philippines. Requires the President, if the United States and the Government of the Philippines are unable to agree to a military base agreement, to report to the Appropriations Committees justifying requested or modified assistance levels for the Philippines in light of the failure to achieve such agreement. Makes appropriations for FY 1992 for economic assistance for Eastern Europe. Earmarks amounts of such assistance for: (1) technical assistance and training and for assistance to support housing sectors; (2) environment and energy activities; (3) activities to foster democratic pluralism; and (4) the Polish-American, Hungarian-American, and other Enterprise Funds and for other private enterprise activities. Makes appropriations for FY 1992 for: (1) independent agencies and the African Development Foundation; (2) the Inter-American Foundation; (3) the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) for direct and guaranteed loan programs; (4) the Peace Corps (prohibits abortion funding); (5) international narcotics control; (6) the U.S. contribution to the International Red Cross and assistance to refugees; (7) the U.S. Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund; and (8) antiterrorism assistance. Earmarks amounts of migration and refugee assistance for: (1) refugees resettling in Israel; (2) Tibetan refugees; (3) voluntary repatriation of Hmong refugees from Thailand to Laos; and (4) overseas refugee programs. Limits the amount of such assistance to be made available to the Department of State Office of Refugee Programs. Title III: Military Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 1992 for: (1) international military education and training (prohibits the use of such funds for countries whose annual per capita GNP exceeds $2,349 unless such countries agree to fund transportation and living allowances of their students and the provision of such funds to Zaire, Liberia, Sudan, and Somalia); (2) the foreign military financing program; and (3) peacekeeping operations. Earmarks amounts of foreign military financing for Israel and Egypt. Requires the interest rate on foreign military financing loans to be at least five percent annually. Makes available a specified amount of foreign military financing on a grant basis for Greece if Turkey receives financing on a grant basis. Prohibits foreign military financing for Zaire, Sudan, Liberia, or Somalia. Permits financing for Malawi to be provided only to support the Malawian military's efforts to secure the Nacala Railroad and for military activities to assist in the Mozambican peace process. Limits: (1) the amount of foreign military financing for the procurement of defense articles and services not sold by the U.S. Government for countries other than Israel and Egypt; (2) the amount of funds for administering military assistance and sales; (3) foreign military financing for Greece, Turkey, Portugal, and the Philippines; and (4) obligations with respect to the Special Defense Acquisition Fund. Permits the procurement of defense articles and services or design and construction services not sold by the U.S. Government only by countries for which assistance was justified for the foreign military financing program in the FY 1989 congressional presentation for security assistance programs. Directs the Department of Defense, as requested by the Defense Security Assistance Agency, to conduct audits of private firms whose contracts are made directly with foreign governments and are financed under this title. Requires the total of grants and direct loans provided for Greece and Turkey under the foreign military financing program to be made available according to a seven to ten ratio. Repeals a provision of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1988 that concerns lowering the interest rate on certain foreign military sales. Title IV: Export Assistance - Authorizes the Export-Import Bank to make expenditures within the limit of funds and borrowing authority and to make any necessary contracts and commitments. Prohibits the use of Bank funds for nuclear exports to a non-nuclear weapon state. Makes appropriations for FY 1992 to subsidize gross obligations for the principal amount of direct loans, tied-aid grants, interest subsidies, and total loan principal under Export-Import Bank programs. Prohibits the use of such funds or the use of credits or grants to support the financing of any item covered by the U.S. Munitions List. Limits the amount available for administrative expenses of the Export-Import Bank. Makes appropriations for FY 1992 for: (1) administrative expenses incurred in connection with contracting for the issuance of and servicing of insurance and reinsurance or in lieu of contracting for the performance of services by the Export-Import Bank; and (2) the Trade and Development Program. Title V: General Provisions - Prohibits the use of funds appropriated in this Act (other than funds appropriated for international organizations and programs) for any water or related land resource project which has not met specified standards and criteria for such projects proposed for construction in the United States. Limits the percentage of appropriations, with specified exceptions, that may be obligated during the last month of availability. Prohibits using certain funds appropriated or made available pursuant to this Act for: (1) retirement pay for any person serving in the armed forces of any recipient country; (2) making payments on procurement contracts which do not authorize the termination of such contract for the convenience of the United States; or (3) paying any assessments, arrearages, or dues of any member of the United Nations. Prohibits using any of the funds contained in title II of this Act to carry out the transfer of funds to international or multilateral lending organizations. Limits the amounts of funds made available under this Act to be used for: (1) official residence expenses, entertainment expenses, and representation allowances of AID; (2) entertainment expenses and representation allowances for foreign military financing programs, the Inter-American Foundation, and the Trade and Development Program; and (3) entertainment expenses for international military education and training programs and the Peace Corps. Prohibits the use of funds made available under this Act (other than funds for international organizations and programs) to finance the export of nuclear equipment, fuel, or technology. Prohibits the use of funds made available under this Act to: (1) assist any foreign government in repressing the legitimate rights of its population; (2) finance assistance or reparations to Angola, Cambodia, Cuba, Iraq, Libya, Vietnam, Iran, or Syria (including assistance provided by the Export-Import Bank or its agents); or (3) finance assistance to any country whose elected head of government is deposed by military coup. Prohibits obligating funds made available under this Act under an appropriation account to which they were not appropriated, unless the President provides a written policy justification to the Appropriations Committees. Continues the availability of certain AID funds and funds for credit sales under the Arms Export Control Act, provided the Appropriations Committees are notified. Prohibits appropriations contained in this Act from remaining available after expiration of the current fiscal year, except as provided in this Act. Prohibits the use of funds made available under this Act to: (1) be used for publicity or propaganda purposes within the United States; (2) assist a country in default for more than a year on a U.S. loan under a program for which funds are appropriated under this Act (exempts from such prohibition funds for Nicaragua and for narcotics-related assistance for Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru); or (3) be made available for any international financial institution whose U.S. representative cannot obtain any document developed by or in the possession of the management, unless such representative certifies to the Appropriations Committees that such document's confidentiality is essential to the institution's operation. Prohibits the use of funds made available under this Act for direct assistance, the Export-Import Bank, and OPIC to finance any loan or other assistance to establish or expand production of any commodity for export by a foreign country if such commodity is likely to be in surplus on world markets and will cause substantial injury to U.S. producers of a similar or competing commodity. Exempts the Export-Import Bank from such prohibition if the Bank determines that the benefits to industry and employment in the United States are likely to outweigh the injury to such producers. Prohibits making any of the funds appropriated under any Act available for any testing, study, variety improvement, or certain other activities related to the growth or production in a foreign country of an agricultural commodity for export which would compete with a similar commodity grown or produced in the United States. Prohibits the use of funds appropriated to AID, other than funds to carry out the Caribbean Basin Initiative, to procure studies or assist in establishing facilities for the manufacture of import-sensitive articles that compete with U.S. exports. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. executive directors of specified international financial institutions to oppose assistance for the production or extraction of any commodity or mineral for export if it is in surplus on world markets and if the assistance will cause substantial injury to U.S. producers of a similar or competing commodity. Sets forth congressional notification procedures for the obligation of specified funds made available under this Act. Waives notification requirements if there is a risk to human health or welfare. Limits expenditures for consulting services through procurement contracts. Prohibits using funds appropriated under this Act to lobby for abortion. Prohibits any of the international organizations and programs funds from being available for the U.S. proportionate share of any programs for the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Libya, Iran, or, at the discretion of the President, Communist countries to which foreign assistance is prohibited. Prohibits the United States from making a contribution to the United Nations or any of its affiliated agencies if such an agency grants full membership to any organization that does not have the internationally recognized attributes of statehood. Authorizes Israel to use any loan made available under the Arms Export Control Act for which repayment is forgiven before using any other loan made available under such Act. Prohibits U.S. employees from recognizing or negotiating with the PLO so long as the PLO does not recognize Israel's right to exist, does not accept Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, and does not renounce the use of terrorism. Declares that it is U.S. policy that ESF assistance for Israel shall not be less than the annual debt repayment from Israel to the United States. Limits the amount to be used for a Democracy Contingency Fund. Requires congressional notification prior to making funds available for military aircraft in Central America. Directs the Secretary to notify specified congressional committees whenever helicopters or military aircraft are provided to Central American countries by any foreign country. Expresses the policy of the United States that sustainable economic growth must be predicated on sustainable use of natural resources. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) instruct U.S. executive directors of the multilateral development banks to promote programs which address the problems of global climate change; and (2) promote reforms within the International Monetary Fund which address such problems. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on: (1) how natural resource management initiatives mandated by this Act have been incorporated in the Bush Administration's efforts to address third world debt (the Brady Plan); (2) progress made by the multilateral development banks in meeting standards set forth for programs to address global climate change; (3) the progress made by the Inter-American Development Bank in implementing environmental reforms; (4) each multilateral development bank's forestry sector and energy sector loans and their impact on carbon dioxide emissions; and (5) the progress made by the World Bank in implementing the recommendations set forth in a certain report on debt-for-nature swaps. Directs the AID Administrator to: (1) update and issue guidance to all AID bureaus detailing the elements of a Global Warming Initiative to emphasize the need to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and to accelerate sustainable development strategies; (2) increase the number and expertise of personnel devoted to the Initiative; (3) accelerate the activities of the Multi-Agency Working Group on Power Sector Innovation; (4) focus tropical forestry assistance programs on the key middle- and low-income developing countries projected to contribute large amounts of greenhouse gases to the environment; (5) assist countries in developing an analysis of the appropriate use of their total tropical forest resources, with the goal of developing national programs for sustainable forestry; and (6) focus energy assistance activities on the key countries. Prohibits making any funds appropriated by this Act available for activities that would: (1) result in any significant loss of tropical forests; or (2) involve commercial timber extraction in primary tropical forest areas unless an environmental assessment meeting certain conditions is made. Permits the use of certain funds for programs to support tropical forestry and energy programs aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in key countries, subject to certain conditions. Earmarks funds for: (1) environment and energy activities (with amounts for biological diversity activities, renewable energy projects, elephant conservation and preservation, and the AID Office of Energy); and (2) the creation of a fund to support global participation in the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, provided that such funds are not contributed to developing countries that are not parties to the Protocol. Prohibits the use of development assistance funds to pay for: (1) abortions or involuntary sterilizations as a method of family planning or to motivate or coerce any persons to practice abortions or undergo sterilization; or (2) any biomedical research concerning abortions or involuntary sterilization as a method of family planning. Reaffirms the congressional commitment to population, development assistance and the need for informed voluntary family planning. Earmarks specified amounts of development and economic assistance appropriated by this Act for the Afghan people. Requires the AID Administrator to ensure that an equitable portion of such funds is made available to benefit Afghan women and girls. Prohibits making any of the funds appropriated by this Act available to a private voluntary organization which fails to provide the records necessary for an AID audit or which is not registered with AID. Withholds a specified amount of military aid and financing from El Salvador until the President reports to the Appropriations Committees that El Salvador has: (1) substantially concluded all investigations with respect to those responsible for the January 1981 murders of specified U.S. and Salvadoran land reformers; and (2) pursued all legal avenues to bring to trial and obtain a verdict of those responsible for such murders and for the deaths of certain peasants, priests, and trade unionists. Expresses the sense of the Congress that all countries receiving U.S. foreign aid should cooperate in facilitating lasting solutions to refugee situations. Prohibits making any of the funds appropriated by this Act available for: (1) costs of Ethiopia's forced resettlement or villagization programs; or (2) Sudan, Uganda, Liberia, Lebanon, Zaire, Yemen, Guatemala, Chile, or Somalia, except through regular congressional notification procedures. Earmarks certain appropriated funds for child survival activities and activities relating to research on, and the treatment and control of, AIDS in developing countries. Permits ESF funds to be provided to Chile to support the efforts of private individuals and groups to develop a national consensus on the importance of an independent judiciary and the administration of justice. Prohibits making any of the funds appropriated under this Act available to finance indirectly any assistance or reparations to Angola, Cambodia, Cuba, Iraq, Libya, Vietnam, Iran, or Syria unless the President certifies that the withholding of these funds is contrary to the national interest of the United States. Amends the Arms Export Control Act to extend waiver authority with respect to reciprocal leasing agreements through FY 1992. Requires delivery of defense equipment (permitted under special authority during unforeseen emergencies) within 120 days of congressional notification. Sets forth additional notification requirements with respect to the transfer of excess defense equipment to NATO. Requires the Secretary of State to transmit copies of all debt relief agreements to the appropriate congressional committees. Continues the funding of Middle East regional cooperative programs. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the U.S. Government should use its influence in the Asian Development Bank to secure reconsideration of the decision to designate Taiwan as "Taipei, China"; and (2) the Asian Development Bank should resolve this dispute in a fashion that is acceptable to Taiwan. Prohibits the use of funds provided under any Act for the sale of M-833 or comparable antitank shells containing a depleted uranium penetrating component to any country except a NATO member country, major non-NATO ally, or Taiwan. Allows earmarked funds to be reprogrammed for other programs within the same account if: (1) compliance with the earmark is made impossible by any Act; or (2) with respect to countries with which the United States has base access agreements, the President determines that the recipient of funds has reduced its military or economic cooperation with the United States. Requires the President, before funds for such countries are reprogrammed, to provide a written policy justification to the Appropriations Committees. Subjects such reprogramming to the regular notification procedures of such committees. Provides for U.S. opposition to assistance to terrorist countries by international financial institutions. Prohibits bilateral assistance to such countries. Earmarks amounts of ESF assistance for: (1) scholarships to disadvantaged South Africans; and (2) Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, and Ecuador, provided such countries are making progress in certain narcotics control efforts. Permits development and ESF assistance to be made available to Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, and Jamaica for reducing dependence on the production of crops from which narcotic and psychotropic drugs are derived. Limits the amount of foreign military financing to be made available for Bolivia, Peru, and Colombia. Prohibits such financing for any government that engages in a consistent pattern of human rights violations. Permits funds to be made available for training and equipment for narcotics law enforcement agencies in Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru (except for Peru's Sinchi Police). Prohibits assistance to countries which fail to take measures to prevent illicit drugs from being sold to U.S. Government personnel or from entering the United States illegally. Earmarks amounts of assistance made available to AID for narcotics education and awareness programs and narcotics related economic assistance activities. Requires that any agreement for the sale or provision of any article on the U.S. Munitions List shall expressly state that the article is being provided by the United States only with the understanding that it will not be transferred to Cyprus or otherwise used to further the severance or division of Cyprus. Directs the President to report to the Congress when such equipment is used for such purposes. Permits the commercial leasing of defense articles (other than major defense equipment) by Israel, Egypt, NATO countries, and major non-NATO allies if the President determines that there are compelling foreign policy or national security reasons for those defense articles being provided by commercial lease rather than by government-to-government sale. Limits the amount of ESF and development assistance to be made available for humanitarian and development assistance for Cambodians. Terminates assistance to any Cambodian organization that is cooperating with the Khmer Rouge in their military operations. Requires the President to report to the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate on the extent of military cooperation between the Khmer Rouge and the non-Communist resistance. Provides that funds made available for humanitarian assistance for Cambodian children shall also be available for civilian victims of war. Provides that all AID contracts and solicitations shall require U.S. marine insurance companies to have a fair opportunity to bid for marine insurance. Expresses the sense of the Congress that funds made available for the International Fund for Ireland should be allocated to programs which emphasize jobs creation in areas having the highest rates of unemployment. Prohibits the use of certain assistance provided under this Act for assistance to Afghanistan if such assistance would be provided through the Soviet-controlled government of Afghanistan. Requires at least 25 percent of ESF assistance for El Salvador to be used for certain development projects and activities in accordance with the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. Requires at least ten percent of FY 1990 development assistance and assistance for the Development Fund for Africa (unless the AID Administrator determines otherwise) to be made available only for U.S. organizations and individuals that are: (1) business concerns or private organizations owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals; (2) historically black colleges or universities; and (3) colleges and universities in which more than 40 percent of the students are Hispanic American. Directs the Administrator to: (1) utilize the authority of the Small Business Act; (2) enter into contracts with such entities using less than full and open competitive procedures; and (3) issue regulations requiring contracts in excess of $500,000 to provide that at least ten percent of the contract shall be subcontracted to such entities. Requires AID personnel with contracting authority to notify the AID Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization before advertising contracts in excess of $100,000. Directs the Administrator to: (1) include as part of the performance evaluation of any mission director such director's efforts to carry out such activities; and (2) report annually to the Congress on the implementation of such program. Prohibits the United States from selling or making available Stinger missiles to any Persian Gulf country. Prohibits the provision of funds appropriated under this Act to any person undertaking an action prohibited by U.S. law. Authorizes nongovernmental organizations which receive AID economic assistance to invest any local currencies which accrue to such organizations as a result of such assistance. Earmarks a specified amount of development and ESF assistance for Lebanon. Sets forth the value of additions to be made to stockpiles in Israel during FY 1992. Extends the period during which the President may waive prohibitions on assistance to Pakistan to April 1, 1993. Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of funds for Pakistan except through the notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations. Sets forth requirements for the maintenance of separate accounts for, and the use of, local currencies, cash transfers, and non-project sector assistance. Prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this Act for: (1) any member of the Nicaraguan resistance who has not disarmed and is not abiding by the terms of the cease-fire agreement and the addenda to the Toncontin Agreement; and (2) payments to international financial institutions that compensate U.S. directors in excess of specified rates. Sets forth human rights reporting requirements for the Secretary of State. Prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this Act to provide assistance to any country that is not in compliance with the United Nations Security Council sanctions against Iraq unless the President certifies to the Congress that such assistance: (1) is in the U.S. national interest; (2) will directly benefit the needy people in such 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 products of any foreign country that has not prohibited the importation of Iraqi products and the export of its products to Iraq. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury, in all negotiations concerning the EBRD, to seek: (1) establishment of procedures for environmental assessment of all proposed operations with significant environmental impacts; (2) establishment of an environmental unit to review operations and monitor compliance with environmental provisions; (3) establishment of procedures for consultation with and involvement of the public in the development of EBRD policies; and (4) agreement that a significant portion of EBRD funds shall be devoted to environmental restoration and protection projects. Repeals a provision of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1991 which made excess defense articles avilable to countries supporting Operation Desert Shield. Prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this Act to finance the procurement of chemicals or chemical agents that may be used for chemical weapons production. Prohibits ESF and foreign military financing assistance for Kenya unless the President certifies to the Congress that the Kenyan Government is taking steps to: (1) charge and try or release all prisoners and cease mistreatment of prisoners; and (2) restore the independence of the judiciary and freedoms of expression. Requires the delivery of excess defense articles to NATO allies and major non-NATO allies on the southern and southeastern NATO flanks to be given priority over the delivery of such articles to other countries. Amends the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1991 to revise the amount of defense articles and services authorized to be drawn down for Israel. Prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this Act to implement the Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990. Directs the President to submit to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee: (1) a U.S. plan for establishing a multilateral regime to restrict transfers of arms to the Middle East; and (2) an analysis of the feasibility and potential elements of such regime. Prohibits the United States from agreeing to any transfers of major military equipment to the Middle East and Persian Gulf region unless the President submits such plan and analysis and reports that there has been agreement by another major arms supplier on or after May 21, 1991, to transfer such equipment to any nation in the region. Exempts from such prohibition emergency or replacement transfers or transfers pursuant to agreements entered into before May 21, 1991. Requires the President to report to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee on: (1) all transfers of conventional and unconventional arms to the Middle East; (2) the current military balance in the region; (3) the operation of any agreements comprising the arms transfer and control regime; and (4) supplier nations that have refused to participate in such a regime or that have engaged in conduct that violates or undermines the regime. Directs the President to seek negotiations among, and undertake efforts to convene a conference of, the five members of the United Nations Security Council and other nations, as appropriate, to establish a multilateral arms transfer and control regime with respect to the Middle East and Persian Gulf region. Declares that the purpose of such regime should be to: (1) limit the proliferation of conventional weapons and ballistic missile technologies and systems and halt the proliferation of unconventional weapons; (2) maintain the military balance in the region through the reduction of conventional weapons and the elimination of unconventional weapons; and (3) promote regional arms control in such region.

National Energy Security Act of 1991

United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1991

National Energy Security Act of 1991 - Title I: Findings and Purposes - Subtitle A: Findings and Purposes - Sets forth the energy efficiency and development purposes of this Act. Subtitle B: Goals, Least-Cost Energy Strategy, and Director of Climate Protection - Enumerates the goals of this Act, including establishment in 1992 of an international framework convention on global climate change and international commitment to such convention. Requires the first National Energy Policy Plan submitted by the President to the Congress to include a least-cost energy strategy prepared by the Secretary of Energy according to specified guidelines. Directs the Secretary to appoint a Director of Climate Protection, who shall participate annually in the formulation of such strategy. Title II: Definitions - Sets forth definitions used in this Act. Title III: Corporate Average Fuel Economy - Motor Vehicle Fuel Efficiency Act of 1991 - Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to direct the Secretary of Transportation to prescribe average fuel economy standards for passenger automobiles and light trucks manufactured in model years 1996 through 2001, and for those manufactured in model years 2002 and thereafter. Requires such Secretary to determine the maximum feasible average fuel economy achievable according to prescribed formulas for passenger automobiles, light trucks, or classes of light trucks manufactured during such model years. Provides that credits for exceeding average fuel economy standards may be transferred among manufacturers and among vehicle classes of a manufacturer. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to issue rules implementing such a credit trading system. Grants average fuel economy credits for small passenger automobiles manufactured with airbags for either driver seating position only, or for both the driver and front seat outboard seating positions. Directs the Secretary of Energy to distribute at least 100 explanatory booklets each year to every dealer and an additional number if requested. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to assess an excessive fuel consumption fee upon a manufacturer whose average fuel economy does not meet certain statutory standards. Replaces civil penalties for such non-compliance with the excessive fuel consumption fee according to prescribed guidelines. Establishes the Excessive Fuel Consumption Fund. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to make payments from the Fund for purposes of: (1) providing financial assistance to State programs encouraging voluntary removal from the marketplace of pre-1980 model-year automobiles; and (2) funding other energy conservation programs. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to report annually to the Congress regarding the Fund's financial condition and operations. Requires the Secretary of Energy to adopt rules necessary to review and approve State programs that qualify for financial assistance for the older vehicle scrappage program. Mandates that as a prerequisite to Federal assistance at least 50 percent of scrappage program costs be paid from non-Federal funds. Title IV: Fleets and Alternative Fuels - Subtitle A: Alternative Fuel Fleets - Sets forth a schedule according to which Federal agencies, when buying, leasing, or otherwise acquiring vehicles for a Federal fleet, must increase the percentage of alternative fuel vehicles in such fleet from ten percent in 1995 up to 90 percent in 2000 and each year following. Directs the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) to work with the Administrator of General Services and each Federal agency head to plan effective coordination of such acquisitions. Authorizes appropriations. Mandates State acquisition of alternative fuel vehicles according to the same schedule if specified circumstances prevail. Sets forth a different schedule for private and municipal fleets, rising from 30 percent in 1998 to 70 percent in 2000 and after. Provides for exemptions from such requirements in specified circumstances. Requires the Secretary to allocate credits to States or private persons for any vehicles acquired in excess of requirements. Sets forth civil penalties for violations of this subtitle. Authorizes the Secretary to request the Attorney General to bring civil actions to enforce it. Authorizes the Secretary to delegate administration and enforcement of this subtitle within any State to its Governor if a State program exists. Authorizes appropriations to provide financial assistance to States to which the Secretary delegates such authority. Subtitle B: Electric and Electric-Hybrid Vehicle Demonstration, Infrastructure, Development, and Conforming Amendments - Part A: Electric and Electric-Hybrid Vehicle Demonstration - Electric and Electric-Hybrid Vehicle Demonstration Act - Directs the Secretary to conduct a program to demonstrate electric vehicles, electric-hybrid vehicles, and their assorted equipment. Provides for solicitation and selection of proposals to negotiate up to ten cooperative agreements to receive financial assistance to conduct such demonstrations. Provides for discount payments to reimburse proposers for giving discounts to vehicle purchasers or lessees. Requires 50 percent of the costs of a cooperative agreement to be provided from non-Federal sources. Authorizes appropriations. Part B: Electric and Electric-Hybrid Vehicle Infrastructure Development - Electric Vehicle and Electric-Hybrid Infrastructure Development Act - Directs the Secretary to establish a program for the collection and dissemination of information and data which would be useful to persons seeking to manufacture, sell, lease, own or operate electric and electric-hybrid vehicles. Requires the Secretary to issue guidelines for States and local governmental entities to use in developing comprehensive infrastructure plans to support the deployment of such vehicles. Requires the Secretary to offer State Governors the opportunity to request and receive technical and financial assistance in formulating comprehensive State infrastructure plans. Directs the Secretary to undertake cooperative agreements with non-Federal persons, including fleet operators, to provide the infrastructure necessary to support the use of such vehicles. Requires at least 50 percent of costs to be provided from non-Federal sources. Authorizes appropriations. Part C: Amendment to the Alternative Motor Fuels Act - Makes conforming amendments to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) and the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act. Subtitle C: Alternative Fuels - Replacement and Alternative Fuels Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary to establish a program to promote the development and use of domestically produced replacement and alternative fuels (including liquefied petroleum gas, natural gas, "neat" alcohol, hydrogen, coal-derived liquid fuels, and electricity) to replace conventional petroleum motor fuels. Requires the Secretary to study and determine the feasibility of domestically producing enough such fuels by the year 2010 to replace at least 30 percent of the projected consumption of motor fuel in the United States for that year. Requires annual demand estimates of the number and geographic distribution and the amount of each type of alternative fuel vehicle. Requires the Secretary to obtain voluntary commitments from providers of domestic replacement and alternative fuels to produce and offer for public sale sufficient amounts of such fuels to meet demand. Requires the Secretary to: (1) notify the Congress if the amount of such fuels in any area of the United States is insufficient to meet demand; and (2) submit a plan of action to require such providers to make adequate supplies available. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Mass Transit and Training - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to enter into cooperative agreements and joint ventures with local or regional transit authorities in urban areas of over 100,000 population to demonstrate the feasibility and safety of using natural gas or other alterative fuels for mass transit. Mandates that as a prerequisite to such a cooperative agreement or joint venture at least 25 percent of the demonstration costs be borne by the local or regional transit authority. Authorizes the Secretary to grant priority to any entity that demonstrates that the use of alternative fuels for mass transit would have a significant effect on the ability of an air quality region to comply with regulations governing ambient air quality. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of the Department of Labor to implement a technician training and certification program for the vehicle installation of equipment that converts gasoline or diesel-fueled vehicles to run solely on alternative fuels. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Renewable Energy - Subtitle A: CORECT and COEECT - Amends the EPCA to name certain interagency working groups the Committee on Renewable Energy Commerce and Trade (CORECT) and the Committee on Energy Efficiency Commerce and Trade (COEECT). Requires: (1) CORECT to promote the development and application in lesser-developed countries of renewable energy resource products and technologies that promote the use of hybrid fossil-renewable energy systems; (2) COEECT to promote the development and application in such countries of energy efficiency resource products and technologies; and (3) both to provide in-country technical training and financial assistance. Authorizes CORECT and COEECT to establish renewable energy and energy efficiency industry outreach offices in the Pacific Rim and in the Caribbean Basin. Requires the Secretary to report biennially to the Congress on the range of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies available to meet the energy needs of developing countries. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Renewable Energy Initiatives - Amends the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technology Competitiveness Act of 1989 (REEETCA) to direct the Secretary to solicit proposals and provide financial assistance for joint ventures with respect to: (1) oil and diesel fuel displacement using specified renewable energy sources; and (2) training individuals from developing countries in the United States in the operation and maintenance of renewable energy equipment and of energy efficiency equipment. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to solicit proposals and provide financial assistance for at least one joint venture for a utility-scale photovoltaic project of at least ten megawatts. Amends REEETCA to direct the Secretary to enter into buy-down agreements with private lenders to pay the Federal share of the interest on loans to certain qualified borrowers to finance the manufacture, construction, or acquisition of equipment that principally utilizes a renewable energy technology. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to report to certain congressional committees an evaluation of opportunities to minimize waste from processes in the U.S. industries. Establishes certain facilities and equipment located at Keahole Point, Hawaii as the Spark M. Matsunaga Renewable Energy and Ocean Technology Center to carry out research, development, and technology transfer activities on solar and renewable energy, energy storage, and related matters. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) a program to reward outstanding achievements in specified renewable energy technologies with awards of up to $5,000,000; and (2) a milestone for technical achievement for the year 2010 for each such technology. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Hydropower - Amends the Federal Power Act to eliminate certain mandatory conditioning powers of Federal land mangers with respect to Government dams. Requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to give hydroelectric license applicants earliest practicable notice of studies that will be required to accompany a license application. Provides for a single consolidated review of project licensing under the National Environmental Protection Act of 1969 (NEPA). Makes FERC the lead agency for NEPA compliance activities associated with hydroelectric licensing. Grants States exclusive authority to license hydropower projects of five megawatts or less, under certain conditions. Requires the Secretary to study and report to certain congressional committees on cost-effective opportunities to increase hydropower production at existing federally-owned or -operated water regulations, storage, and conveyance facilities. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to study and implement water use efficiency measures at Federal reclamation projects in order to increase hydropower production, make more efficient use of project power, and provide more water for fish and wildlife. Removes Federal licensing jurisdiction over: (1) hydroelectric projects on fresh waters in Hawaii; and (2) two specified hydroelectric projects in Alaska. Extends the time for project development for two specified hydropower projects in Arkansas. Title VI: Energy Efficiency - Subtitle A: Industrial, Commercial and Residential - Amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act (ECPA) to require the Secretary of Energy to issue a Federal building code to assure that all new Federal buildings and buildings receiving Federal mortgages include energy efficiency measures that are technologically feasible and economically justified. Requires the Secretary to support the upgrading of an industry voluntary building energy code for new residential and commercial buildings. Directs the Secretary to provide incentive funding to States which adopt building energy codes at least as stringent as those of the industry voluntary building codes. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act (NECPA) to direct the Secretary to issue voluntary guidelines for use by States, local organizations and others to develop energy rating systems for residential buildings. Requires the Secretary to provide technical assistance to State and local organizations to encourage adoption of residential energy efficiency rating systems based on such guidelines. Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to provide for notifying homebuyers of the availability of energy efficient mortgages providing financial incentives for the purchase of energy efficient homes at the time of mortgage application. Requires the Secretary to assess the energy performance of manufactured housing and make recommendations to the National Commission on Manufactured Housing about thermal insulation and technically feasible and economically justified energy efficiency improvements applicable to such housing. Requires the Commission to make its own recommendations to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Requires the Secretary of Energy to test the performance and cost-effectiveness of manufactured housing built to established energy efficiency standards. Directs the Secretary to pursue a research and development program and a joint venture program to improve efficiency in energy-intensive industries and industrial processes. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to make triennial reports to the Congress evaluating energy efficiency policy options and their potential to decrease overall U.S. energy use and oil consumption per unit of GNP. Directs the Secretary to establish voluntary guidelines for the conduct of energy audits and the installation of insulation to achieve cost-effective increases in energy efficiency in industrial facilities. Authorizes appropriations for a program of education and technical assistance to promote the use of such guidelines. Requires the Secretary to provide financial and technical assistance to support the voluntary development of a national window rating program to establish energy efficiency ratings for windows and window systems. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration to expand the scope and frequency of data collection under the National Energy Information System in order to improve the ability to evaluate the effectiveness of energy efficiency policies and programs. Directs the Secretary to provide financial and technical assistance to support voluntary development of a national energy efficiency rating program for lamps and luminaires. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to prescribe labeling rules for them. Authorizes appropriations. Adds lamps, commercial air conditioning and heating equipment, and utility distribution transformers to the appliance efficiency program. Requires the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on the practicability and cost-effectiveness of upgrading utility distribution transformers at the time of their routine maintenance. Directs: (1) the Secretary to support the development of a voluntary labeling system for commercial office equipment; or (2) the Federal Trade Commission to develop such a program if one is not developed voluntarily within two years. Authorizes appropriations. Amends EPCA to establish a specified standard for showerheads manufactured after July 1, 1992, unless the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) publishes a different standard before March 1, 1992, in which case the ANSI standard shall apply. Preempts State and local showerhead flow rate standards and labeling requirements. Subtitle B: Federal Energy Management - Amends NECPA to prescribe energy management requirements for energy conservation and efficiency in Federal buildings. Directs the Administrator of the General Services Administration: (1) to conduct an analysis of significant energy consuming products in the Federal Supply Schedule; and (2) to develop a method to identify products which offer cost-effective opportunities to reduce energy consumption and costs. Requires the Administrator of the General Services Administration to consider fuel efficiency and cost savings when evaluating bids for the purchase of passenger vehicles and light trucks. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on: (1) the funding of Federal energy efficiency projects; and (2) a biennially updated demonstration plan for energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies in federally-owned facilities. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to establish a financial bonus program, not to exceed $5,000 per award, to reward facility energy managers for outstanding energy savings in Federal agencies. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to submit to the Congress a plan for demonstrating in Federal facilities, or by Federal agencies, energy efficiency technologies that have received Federal assistance for research and development and are now ready for commercialization. Requires the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on the potential of using Federal purchasing power to encourage the development and commercialization of new energy efficiency products. Subtitle C: Utilities - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to permit State-regulated electric utilities to charge rates that will make their investments in energy efficiency and conservation measures as profitable as their investments in new facilities construction. Requires the Secretary to report to the President and the Congress on: (1) the extent to which State-regulated electric utility rates reflect least-cost planning; (2) specified effects of least-cost planning; and (3) the extent to which ratemaking methodologies implementing least-cost planning take into account the impact of such measures upon electric utilities' rate of return on investment. Prescribes guidelines for conservation grants to State regulatory authorities. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Southwestern Power Administration and the Southeastern Power Administration (known collectively as PMAs) to consider, as a condition of any future power contract with a nonregulated utility customer, requiring such a customer to implement integrated resource planning. Requires the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to employ integrated resource planning in exercising its functions. Subtitle D: Used Oil Energy Production - Amends EPCA to prescribe market incentive guidelines for the reuse of used oil. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the Congress on the implementation of the recycled oil program. Subtitle E: State, Local Insular, and Tribal Energy Assistance - Sets forth guidelines for Federal financial assistance to Insular Area governments for renewable energy and energy and energy efficiency measures to reduce their dependence on imported fuels. Amends EPCA to authorize the Secretary to provide up to $1,000,000 to States to capitalize a State revolving fund to undertake energy efficiency projects in State and local government buildings in those States which have demonstrated a commitment to improve building energy codes. Authorizes the Secretary to provide supplemental grants to Weatherization Program grant recipients to cover: (1) the costs of arranging private sector contributions to the program; and (2) the costs of training and education activities between program grant recipients (technical transfer grants). Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes existing State Energy Conservation Programs to use Federal funds to assist in training building designers and contractors in energy system, energy efficiency, and renewable energy technologies. Authorizes the Secretary to make competitive supplemental grants under the existing State Energy Conservation Programs to increase public understanding of energy issues or to provide teacher training in energy education. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to grant financial assistance to tribal governments to plan and implement energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Requires State Energy Conservation Plans to provide for vehicles to turn left from a one-way street into a one-way street at a red light as a condition for receipt of Federal funding. Subtitle F: LIHEAP Options Pilot Program - Energy Options Study Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to study and report to the Congress on the advantages and disadvantages of using futures and options contracts for fuel as a means of protecting funds under the Low-Income Energy Assistance Act of 1981 (LIHEAP funds) from large price increases in fuels. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct: (1) a pilot program in cooperation with one or more governmental or tribal fund recipients in which the recipient uses futures and futures options in its fuel assistance program; and (2) a pilot program to educate governmental entities and consumer cooperatives on the prudent and effective use of such futures and futures options to increase their protection against unexpected fuel price surges. Authorizes appropriations. Title VII: Oil and Gas Leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge - Subtitle A: Statement of Purpose and Policy and Definitions - Declares that it is the congressional purpose to: (1) authorize competitive oil and gas leasing development on the Arctic Coastal Plain in a manner consistent with environmental and wildlife protection; and (2) provide a new funding source of energy-related projects to enhance energy security and reduce dependence on imported oil. Subtitle B: Congressional Determination of Compatibility - Declares that it is congressional policy that oil and gas activities on the Coastal Plain which are conducted with no significant adverse impact upon fish, wildlife, and the environment shall be deemed compatible with the purpose of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and that no further compatibility findings by the Secretary of the Interior (the Secretary) are required under the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act. Subtitle C: Coastal Plain Competitive Leasing Program - Directs the Secretary to establish and implement a competitive oil and gas leasing program that will result in an environmentally sound program for Coastal Plain resources exploration, development, and production. Declares that this title is the sole authority for leasing on the Coastal Plain. Directs the Secretary to promulgate rules and regulations to implement this title. Declares that the Congress finds that the "Final Legislative Environmental Impact Statement" (April 1987) on the Coastal Plain satisfies the legal requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Sets forth the administrative parameters for: (1) lease sales and lease terms; (2) antitrust review by the Attorney General; (3) exploration and development and production plans; (4) plan approval; (5) bonding, surety, or other financial arrangement requirements; and (6) lease suspension and cancellation. Allows the Secretary to cancel leases in any areas of particular environmental sensitivity. Requires the Secretary's consent for lease assignments or subletting. Mandates that lessees unite to the greatest extent practicable in collectively adopting and operating under a cooperative or unit plan for oil pools and gas fields. Provides for the confidentiality of privileged or proprietary information regarding development activities which must be furnished to the Secretary. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violations of this title. Provides for adjudication of lease controversies. Sets forth joint, several, and strict liability for environmental damages and removal costs resulting from oil pollution or the discharge of hazardous substances. Provides for judicial review of complaints regarding regulations issued by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the Congress regarding the leasing program under this Act. Repeals certain limitations applicable to subsurface interests owned by the Inupiat Eskimo people. Provides for expedited judicial consideration of any claims for relief by certain Alaskan corporations. Subtitle D: Coastal Plain Environmental Protection - Directs the Secretary to promulgate environmental protection regulations which ensure that Coastal Plain activities will result in no significant adverse effect on fish and wildlife, their habitat, and the environment. Requires site-specific assessment and mitigation. Designates the Sadlerochit Spring area as a special area for wildlife conservation and environmental protection. Authorizes the Secretary to exclude such area from leasing and to designate other Coastal Plain areas as special areas requiring protection. Directs the Secretary to prepare and periodically update a facilities construction and siting plan for oil and gas development and transportation. Authorizes the Secretary to grant rights-of-way and easements across the Coastal Plain in a manner that does not adversely affect fish, wildlife, and the environment. Requires the Secretary to conduct additional studies to monitor the human, marine, and coastal environments. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations providing for bi-annual facility inspections for compliance with environmental and safety regulations. Provides funding for a ten-year period for environmental monitoring and enforcement on the Coastal Plain. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) consult with the Department of Transportation and the State of Alaska about the State's role in monitoring and enforcing the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act; and (2) report annually to the Congress regarding the environmental monitoring activities. Subtitle E: Land Reclamation and Reclamation Liability Fund - Makes leaseholders fully responsible and liable for land reclamation within the Coastal Plain and other Federal lands adversely affected by lease activities. Requires establishment of the Coastal Plain Liability and Reclamation Fund within six months of a commercial discovery within the Coastal Plain. Directs the Secretary to collect fees based upon the crude oil volume entering the trans-Alaska pipeline. Prescribes revenue collection and expenditure procedures. Subtitle F: Disposition of Oil and Gas Revenues - Sets forth an allocation schedule for revenue distribution related to oil and gas leasing within the Arctic National Refuge, Alaska. Mandates that revenues distributed to the United States from such oil and gas leases be deposited into the Energy Security Fund. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to make such funds directly available to the Secretary of Energy for specified energy projects transmitted to the Congress following the initial deposit of funds in the Energy Security Fund. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes appropriations from the Energy Security Fund, for a period of five fiscal years, of up to a certain amount annually to fund high priority Arctic research projects and programs related to understanding the long- and short-term effects of energy development and production activities on the Arctic environment. Directs the Chairman of the Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee to prepare a list of eligible projects and programs for inclusion in the President's budget. Subtitle G: Export Restrictions - Prohibits the export of crude oil produced from Coastal Plain lands except in specified circumstances. Subtitle H: Outer Continental Shelf Leasing Moratorium - Prohibits the Secretary from preparing or conducting any preleasing or leasing activity under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act with respect to the areas seaward from California and from New Jersey until after January 1, 2000. Title VIII: Advanced Nuclear Reactor Commercialization - Civilian Advanced Nuclear Reactor Commercialization Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to implement a comprehensive advanced nuclear reactor research, development, and demonstration program that will lead to commercialization of advanced reactor technologies after 1996. Requires the Secretary of Energy to submit to the Congress a detailed five-year plan to carry out such program. Directs the Secretary to conduct a program of technical and financial assistance to encourage the development and submission for certification of advanced light water reactor designs which can be certified by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) by the end of 1995. Provides for cooperative and cost-sharing agreements with private parties seeking such certification. Requires annual progress reports to the Congress from the Secretary and the NRC. Requires the Secretary to solicit proposals to carry out the preliminary engineering design of one or more prototype advanced nuclear reactor technologies (other than an advanced light water reactor) necessary to support a decision on whether to recommend construction of a full-scale prototype demonstration using such a technology. Requires the Secretary to make a recommendation by January 31, 1996, on whether to build such a prototype demonstration reactor. Authorizes the Secretary to solicit proposals to implement such recommendation after 180 days following it submission to the Congress. Title IX: Nuclear Reactor Licensing - Nuclear Reactor Licensing Act of 1991 - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to require the NRC to hold a hearing before granting a combined license to construct and operate a nuclear reactor. Requires a combined license to set forth all the inspections, tests, analyses, and acceptance criteria necessary to establish that the plant, once built, is safe to operate. Requires the NRC to ensure that all such requirements are satisfied. Provides for post-construction hearings on combined licenses to determine whether requirements have been met. Authorizes the NRC to allow a plant to operate under a combined license pending a post-construction hearing unless it appears unsafe to do so. Requires post-construction hearings to be informal unless the NRC determines formal proceedings are necessary to resolve factual disputes. Authorizes the NRC to amend a combined license and permit a plant to operate pending a hearing on the amended license if the amendment does not raise significant safety issues. Title X: Uranium - Subtitle A: Uranium Enrichment - Uranium Enrichment Act of 1991 - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to repeal the existing statutory contracting requirements applicable to uranium enrichment enterprises. Establishes the United States Enrichment Corporation as a wholly-owned Government corporation to conduct uranium marketing and enrichment activities as a commercial, profitable, self-financing enterprise. Sets forth the Corporation's corporate office and powers and vests its management in an Administrator (appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate). Grants the Secretary of Energy general supervision over such Administrator only with respect to national security and health and environmental concerns. Establishes a Corporate Board whose members shall be appointed by the President, and who shall advise the Administrator and the Secretary regarding Corporation matters. Prescribes guidelines for: (1) Corporation personnel; (2) certain property transfers from the Department of Energy; (3) the Corporation's capital structure; and (4) Corporation pricing policies, including user charges for decommissioning, decontamination, and remedial activities. Requires the Corporation to make annual status reports to certain congressional committees, the President, and the Secretary. Prescribes licensing and taxation guidelines for the Corporation. Sets guidelines for payments in lieu of taxes by the Corporation to States and local governments. Requires the Administrator to make recommendations to the President and the Congress by specified dates regarding the transfer of the Corporation's functions and assets to private ownership. Establishes the Uranium Enrichment Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund to cover the Corporation's decommission and decontamination expenses. Applies Federal environmental and occupational safety and health law to the Corporation as though it were privately owned. Exempts the Corporation from sequestration because the maximum deficit amount has been exceeded under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Prohibits the Corporation's total FY 1991 expenditures from exceeding its total FY 1991 receipts. Subtitle B: Uranium - Part 1: Short Title, Findings and Purpose, Definitions - Uranium Security and Tailings Reclamation Act of 1991 - Sets forth findings, purposes, and definitions of this title. Part 2: Uranium Revitalization - Directs the Corporation to establish for a minimum five-year period a voluntary overfeeding program to be made available to its enrichment services customers. ("Overfeeding" means the use of uranium in the enrichment process in excess of the amount required at the transactional tails assay, thus reducing customers' power costs). Provides that the resultant savings shall be credited to such customers. Establishes the National Strategic Uranium Reserve, consisting of 50,000,000 pounds of natural uranium, to be restricted to military purposes and Government research under the control of the Secretary. Confers continuing responsibility upon the Secretary for promotion of the domestic uranium industry, but without using any supervisory authority over the Corporation. Directs the Secretary to develop recommendations and implement Government programs promoting domestic uranium exports. Restricts all uranium purchases by Federal entities to uranium purchased from domestic producers. Exempts the TVA from such restriction. Part 3: Remedial Action for Active Processing Sites - Provides that remedial action costs such as decontamination, decommissioning, and reclamation at an active uranium or thorium processing site shall be borne by specified licensees for any activity resulting in byproduct material. Sets forth a reimbursement schedule for: (1) individual active site uranium licenses; (2) all active site uranium licensees; and (3) thorium licensees. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations governing such reimbursement. Authorizes appropriations. Part 4: Import of Uranium, Enriched Uranium, and Uranium Enrichment Services - Directs the United States International Trade Commission to investigate and report to the President and the Congress on whether non-market economy countries are exporting uranium, enriched uranium, or offering uranium enrichment services at prices below the cost of production or provision. Requires the President, if the investigation results are positive, to report to the Congress on what actions the Federal Government is taking to discourage or end such pricing practices. Requires the owner or operator of any civilian nuclear power reactor to report annually to the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration, on the country of origin and the seller of any uranium, enriched uranium, or enrichment services the owner or operator has imported or purchased during the previous fiscal year. Requires such information to be made available to specified congressional committees. Directs the Secretary to encourage States and utility regulatory authorities to consider the objectives of this part, including the national need to avoid dependence on imports, when considering whether to allow electric power plant owners or operators to recover in customer rates and charges any cost of domestic uranium, enriched uranium, or enrichment services from a non-affiliated seller greater than the cost of such items from non-domestic sources. Authorizes the Secretary or the United States Enrichment Corporation to buy enriched uranium from other sources of enriched uranium at prices below, respectively, Department of Energy or Corporation production costs if such purchases are necessary to reduce production costs and maintain competitive prices. Title XI: Natural Gas - Amends the Natural Gas Act to authorize an optional certificate (OC) of public convenience and necessity procedure for the construction and operation of interstate natural gas pipelines. Directs FERC to issue OCs without a hearing if applicants are willing to accept terms and conditions attached to the certificate, including a prohibition on the recovery of OC facility costs in the rates for other facilities or services. Replaces the ordinary rate review procedure with a special complaint procedure in such instances. Requires FERC to conduct a hearing on the record about a proposed OC construction if such construction would result in the displacement of sales or transportation services being provided by a local distribution company (LDC). Amends the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 to authorize FERC to permit: (1) any interstate pipeline to transport natural gas; and (2) the construction of natural gas transportation facilities for interstate commerce. Outlines administrative procedures for FERC compliance with the requirements of the NEPA with respect to natural gas transportation. Requires FERC to conduct a hearing on the record about a proposed OC construction if such construction would result in the displacement of sales or transportation services being provided by an LDC. Declares that FERC issuance of a construction certificate is the only Federal action that may be considered a major Federal action requiring a detailed environmental impact statement (EIS). Requires FERC to permit contractors or consultants selected from a FERC-approved list and paid by the certificate applicant to prepare such required EISs and related documents. Sets forth administrative procedures for rates and charges, utilization of rulemaking procedures, and review of FERC orders. Declares that the formation or operation of an independent producer cooperative shall only be an illegal antitrust law violation if anticompetitive effects substantially outweigh the procompetitive effects. Declares that certain activities related to the sale and distribution of vehicular natural gas (VNG) shall not subject currently exempt entities to the jurisdiction of the Natural Gas Act. Provides that persons not otherwise public utilities may sell or transport VNG without becoming subject to the jurisdiction of State laws in effect before January 1, 1989. States that the VNG activities alone shall not subject a company to regulation under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 (PUHCA) or change the status of companies already registered as gas utility companies. Provides for streamlining of the certificate issuance procedure, especially with respect to repair and replacement facilities, unopposed applications, evidence of need, and phased consideration of need and certificate applications. Authorizes FERC to order an interstate pipeline to interconnect with a production or gathering facility, or an intrastate or OC pipeline in the production area. Authorizes FERC, after a hearing, to exempt the natural gas cost component of a pipeline's rates from regulation after finding that the pipeline provided comparable transportation service and served a competitive market. Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to provide that general policy discussions by all members of FERC do not constitute a meeting for Sunshine Act purposes. Title XII: Outer Continental Shelf - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to add a new title: the "Coastal State and Community Outer Continental Shelf Impact Assistance Act". Establishes the Coastal State and Community Outer Continental Shelf Impact Assistance Fund, to be funded by a specified percentage of all new revenue attributable to an Outer Continental Shelf lease any part of which is within 200 geographical miles of the coast line. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to annually transmit impact assistance from such Fund to coastal States according to prescribed guidelines. Requires a recipient coastal State to prioritize allocation of such revenues among its subdivisions which are socially or economically impacted by Outer Continental Shelf mineral development. Directs the Secretary to report to certain congressional committees on the availability of Outer Continental Shelf areas for oil and gas leasing, development and production. Title XIII: Research, Development, Demonstration and Commercialization Activities - Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish priorities according to prescribed criteria for energy research and development and commercialization; and (2) submit to the Congress an accompanying management plan which shall be revised biennially. Requires the Secretary to implement a program: (1) promoting the development and commercialization of new and advanced natural gas utilization technologies; (2) of research and development to increase the recoverable natural gas resource base; (3) of research, development, and commercialization of specified high efficiency heat engines; (4) of research and development of oil shale; (5) of research on extracting oil from western oil shales (including, if appropriate, establishment of at least one field testing center); and (6) of research, development, and demonstration of a high-temperature superconducting electric power system. Authorizes appropriations. Amends REEETCA to repeal the authorization limitations for: (1) renewable energy research and development programs; and (2) energy efficiency research and development programs. Directs the Secretary to expand or institute programs of research, development, and demonstration for: (1) natural gas and electric heating and cooling technologies for residential and commercial buildings; (2) fusion energy that leads to electricity production after the year 2010; (3) techniques related to improving electric vehicles, electric-hybrid vehicles, and battery technology; and (4) increased economic recoverability of domestic oil resources including both advanced secondary oil recovery and tertiary oil recovery. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on: (1) the development potential of domestic tar sands sources; (2) the potential costs and benefits of telecommuting; (3) the potential for minimizing the volume and toxic lifetime of nuclear waste; and (4) the adequacy of current programs and plans of nuclear waste management. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to enter into agreements with qualified entities to provide post-secondary science and mathematics education programs for low-income and first generation college students. Authorizes appropriations. Title XIV: Coal, Coal Technology, and Electricity - Subtitle A: Coal and Coal Technology - Requires the Secretary to conduct: (1) an advanced coal-based technology research and development program aimed at controlling sulfur and nitrogen oxides at greater proficiency levels (and report periodically to the Congress on the program's status); (2) a research and development program on technologies for non-fuel use of coal (after first submitting a plan to the Congress); (3) a research, development, demonstration, and commercialization program for coal refining technologies; (4) a research, development, and demonstration program for underground coal gasification technology for in-situ conversion of coal to a cleaner burning, easily transportable gaseous fuel; (5) a low-rank coal research and development program; (6) a proof-of-concept program in magnetohydrodynamics; and (7) a research, development, and demonstration program for using ultra-clean coal-water slurry in diesel locomotive engines. Requires the Secretary to submit to certain congressional committees a plan for the export of U.S. coal. Establishes the Clean Coal Technology Export Coordinating Council (Council) to: (1) expand the export and use of clean coal technologies (especially in lesser developed countries); and (2) develop a comprehensive data base and information dissemination system regarding their potential need and availability. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to report to certain congressional committees regarding the status of technologies for combining coal with other materials. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a national clearinghouse for the exchange and dissemination of technical information on technology relating to coal and coal-derived fuels; and (2) study and report to the Congress on the institutional, legal, and regulatory barriers to increased use of coal combustion byproducts by potential governmental and commercial users. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a data base containing all transportation rates for specified modes of transporting domestic coal for a certain period; (2) study the rates and distribution patterns of domestic coal to determine the impact of Federal policies upon such patterns; and (3) report the data base and study results to the Congress. Subtitle B: Electricity - Declares that for purposes of the Clean Air Act certain physical or operational changes to an electric utility steam generating unit undertaken for purposes of pollution control shall not be treated as a modification if the change does not increase the maximum hourly emissions of any pollutant regulated under such Act above the maximum hourly emissions achievable at that unit during the last five years of operation before the change. Sets conditions for finding such a unit in compliance with technology requirements with respect to nitrogen oxide emissions. Requires the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on physical impediments to the transfer of excess electrical energy from regions with surplus electrical energy to regions experiencing shortages. Declares that State regulatory authorities are not required to base calculations of avoided cost, under the Public Utility Policies Act (PURPA), on the rates for or the costs of demonstration projects under the Federal clean coal technology program. Directs FERC to complete a rulemaking to establish a demonstration program for regulatory incentives to promote the development of clean coal technologies and other innovative control technologies that limit power plant emissions. Requires FERC to establish a process for negotiating with potential developers of such technology projects to agree upon cost caps for future projects and preapproval of project expenses if they fall within the agreed-upon cap. Encourages States to provide additional incentives for the implementation of clean coal technologies, and requires FERC to give priority in incentive rate treatment to units located in States with incentive programs. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on progress in encouraging State regulatory authorities to provide such incentives. Title XV: Public Utility Holding Company Act Reform - Defines an "exempt wholesale generator" (EWG) as a corporate entity: (1) engaged exclusively in the business of owning or operating all or part of one or more eligible facilities and selling electric energy at wholesale; and (2) exempt from corporate organizational restrictions under PUHCA. Permits registered utility holding companies, exempt utility holding companies, non-utilities, and other companies not currently subject to PUHCA to own EWGs without limitation. Declares that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) shall continue to have jurisdiction over: (1) the issuance of securities by a registered utility holding company in order to finance the acquisition of an EWG; (2) the guarantee of securities of an EWG by such a holding company; and (3) service, sales and construction contracts between an EWG and such a holding company, including the creation or maintenance of any other relationship (except ownership). Prohibits FERC from approving a rate or charge for the sale of electricity by EWGs: (1) where a State commission would use the purchase of such electricity as the basis for not permitting recovery of existing capital investment by the purchasing utility (stranded investment); or (2) where the wholesale purchaser is merely a broker interposed for purposes of making an indirect sale to an industrial or other retail customer (sham wholesale transaction, also known as "cherry picking"). Declares that any rate or charge for the wholesale sale of electricity in interstate commerce by an EWG shall not be considered just and reasonable if it allows the EWG to receive undue advantage resulting from the fact that the purchaser is an affiliate or associate company of the EWG. Amends the Federal Power Act to grant State commissions in accordance with State law the authority to review the prudence of wholesale electricity purchases by utilities under their jurisdiction, except in certain instances involving allocation of power costs within registered utility holding company systems. Extends such authority even within such systems in instances involving purchase of power from EWGs. Amends PURPA to require State commissions to analyze the effects on reliability and utility purchasers of the use of leveraged capital structures by wholesale sellers of power (including EWGs) and the adequacy of fuel supplies employed by such sellers. Requires State commissions to consider reflecting the results of such analysis in approving or disapproving wholesale electricity purchases. Requires EWGs to make their books and records available to State commissions. Title XVI: Strategic Petroleum Reserve - Amends EPCA to add the Strategic Petroleum Reserve Enhancement Act of 1991. Directs the President to enlarge the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to 1,000,000,000 barrels as rapidly as possible. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to create a 10,000,000 barrel Defense Petroleum Inventory (DPI). Authorizes the President, acting through the Secretary, to: (1) acquire petroleum products for storage in the SPR or the DPI from foreign governments without competitive procurement; and (2) contract, without regard to certain provisions of EPCA and other Federal law, for storage in the SPR or the DPI of petroleum products owned by foreign governments.

Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991

United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1991

Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 - Title I - Part A: General Provisions - Declares that: (1) the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways is completed; (2) the principal purpose of Federal highway assistance shall henceforth be to improve the efficiency of the existing surface transportation system; and (3) it is U.S. policy to facilitate innovation and competition in transportation modes through Federal and State initiative, and to increase productivity in the transportation sector of the economy through systematic attention to costs and benefits. Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Account of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) for the following programs: (1) surface transportation; (2) congestion mitigation and air quality improvement; (3) bridge; (4) interstate maintenance; (5) interstate construction (but repeals the existing FY 1993 authorization and a provision regarding minimum apportionments); (6) interstate substitution; (7) Federal lands highway; (8) territorial highway; (9) national magnetic levitation design; (10) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) research; (11) university transportation center; (12) highway use tax evasion; and (13) safety belt and motorcycle helmet use. Sets forth provisions with respect to obligation ceilings for Federal-aid highway programs, redistribution of unused obligation authority, and specified limitations. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a Surface Transportation Program (STP) to fund projects including: (1) construction, restoration, and operational improvement for highways and bridges, including the seismic retrofit and painting of bridges and other elevated structures; (2) capital costs for mass transit, passenger rail, publicly owned intra- or inter-city bus terminals and facilities, and magnetic levitation systems; (3) carpool projects, and parking and bicycle facilities and programs; (4) safety improvements and programs; (5) research and development; (6) transportation control measures under the Clean Air Act (CAA); and (7) other purposes approved by the Secretary. Authorizes the use of STP funds to mitigate wetland loss related to highway construction. Requires that 75 percent of STP funds be divided, based on their relative share of the State's population, between: (1) regions consisting of areas of the State with a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) population of 250,000 or greater and areas with an urbanized population of 50,000 or greater that are in nonattainment for ozone and carbon monoxide; and (2) all other areas of the State. Authorizes the distribution of the remaining 25 percent to any area of the State. Specifies that at least eight percent of the funds apportioned to a State must be reprogrammed for transportation enhancement activities. Specifies that: (1) the Federal share for projects under the STP is 80 percent, unless funds apportioned are used to construct new facilities or expand existing facilities available primarily to single-occupant vehicles (SOVs), in which case the Federal share is 75 percent; and (2) if the State constructs a facility not available to SOVs and subsequently makes the facility available to such vehicles, the State must repay with interest the increase in the Federal share of the project. Sets forth additional administrative requirements, including the requirement that the State submit an annual certification that it will meet all the requirements of this Act. Requires the State to notify the Secretary of the amount of obligation it plans to incur for STP projects during the fiscal year. Provides for an energy conservation, congestion mitigation, and clean air bonus program. Specifies that, beginning in FY 1993, for States with one or more MSAs with a population of 250,000 or more: (1) the amount of each State's STP funds shall be reduced by a factor of .9 if the State's vehicle miles of travel (VMT) per capita is more than 110 percent of its VMT in the base year (defined as 1990 for FY 1993 through 1995, and 1995 for subsequent fiscal years) and (2) such reductions in apportionments shall be placed in a Surface Transportation Bonus Fund, to be used to increase the amount of STP funds by a factor of 1.1 for each affected State if such State's VMT per capita is less than 90 percent of its VMT per capita in the base year. Specifies that the Federal share of capital projects that add capacity available to SOVs shall be 75 percent and for all other projects including projects for high occupancy vehicles (HOVs) that permit SOV use during the off-peak periods shall be 80 percent of construction costs. Directs the Secretary to develop and make available to the States guidance on how to determine what portion of a project qualifies for an 80 percent Federal share. Repeals a provision authorizing the Secretary to approve as a project on any Federal-aid system the construction of exclusive or preferential truck lanes. Authorizes: (1) the Secretary to establish a congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program; and (2) funds under such program to be spent on projects that will contribute to attainment of air quality standards as determined by the guidance to be issued under the CAA by the Environmental Protection Agency (with exceptions), a State implementation plan under such Act, or the Secretary. Provides for the apportionment of funds to States based on their non-attainment area population, adjusted for the severity of the non-attainment problem. Specifies that the Federal/State match shall be 80/20. Makes apportionments under this Act available in nonattainment areas, with urbanized populations over 50,000 in proportion to their relative share of weighted nonattainment area population. Specifies minimum apportionments for States subject to specified air pollution control measures. Specifies that the Federal/State match to repair or replace existing bridges without increasing capacity shall be 80/20, but the match for construction of new capacity on existing bridges or construction of new bridges shall be 75/25 (currently, the match is 80/20 in such case). Makes bridge painting, seismic retrofit, and maintenance eligible uses of Federal funds. Repeals the discretionary bridge program. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop and make available to the States criteria for determining what share of a project is attributable to the expansion of bridge capacity where the new capacity is available to SOVs; and (2) establish "level of service" criteria for the bridge program. Bars the use of interstate maintenance funds to expand the capacity of any interstate highway or bridge where such new capacity consists of one or more new travel lanes that are not HOV or auxiliary lanes. Authorizes States to transfer up to 20 percent of interstate maintenance money to the STP and larger amounts if the State can demonstrate to the Secretary that they are adequately maintaining their interstate highways. Changes the Federal/State match for interstate maintenance from 90/10 to 80/20. Authorizes the Secretary to develop and make available to the States criteria for determining the share of an interstate maintenance project that is attributable to the expansion of the capacity of an interstate highway and what constitutes adequate maintenance. Specifies that segments added to the Interstate System (IS) before January 1, 1984 shall be counted towards a State apportionment of interstate maintenance funds. Directs the Secretary to make apportionments to the States to finish outstanding projects, except that specific amounts are specified for Massachusetts. Combines the public lands highways and forest highways accounts of the current Federal Lands Program. Provides for the apportionment of funds based on the existing formula for the Forest Highway Program. Repeals the current national policy against tolls on roads built or maintained with Federal funds. Authorizes the use of Federal funds to: (1) build new toll roads at a 35/65 Federal/non-Federal cost share; and (2) convert existing non-tolled facilities to toll facilities at an 80/20 cost share. Prohibits the imposition of new tolls on the IS. Authorizes the Secretary to permit Federal participation in the construction of ferryboats and ferry approaches, subject to specified conditions. Directs the Secretary to solicit participation of State and local governments and public authorities for one or more congestion pricing pilot projects. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with up to five such State or local governments or public authorities to establish, maintain, and monitor congestion pricing projects. Specifies the Federal share (100 percent for not more than three years). Directs the Secretary to fund all development and startup costs of such projects for at least one year and thereafter until sufficient revenues are generated by the program to fund its operating costs without Federal participation. Sets forth monitoring and reporting requirements. Directs the Secretary to renegotiate specified agreements to permit the continuance of existing toll facilities without repayment of Federal funds. Requires (currently, authorizes) the designation of a metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for each urbanized area of a State of over 50,000 population within any State by agreement among the Governor and the units of general purpose local government. Requires that MPOs: (1) in existence on or before October 1, 1991 be considered so designated; and (2) that represent portions of multi-State metropolitan areas, where feasible, provide for coordinated transportation planning for the entire metropolitan area by adopting a single transportation improvement program for such area. Authorizes the Governor of any other State to enter into such agreements as necessary with the Governor of any other State to provide for comprehensive multi-State transportation planning for metropolitan areas that encompass portions of more than one State. Specifies that: (1) plans developed by an MPO shall take into account the requirements of the CAA, local land use or energy plans, and other factors, such as the need for connectivity of roads within the metropolitan area with those outside such area; and (2) the MPO shall develop a transportation improvement program that is consistent with the long range transportation plan developed by the MPO, conforms with the applicable State implementation plan developed pursuant to the CAA, and includes a priority list of projects to be carried out within three years after initial adoption of the program. Sets forth provisions with respect to the selection of projects. Increases the current Federal set-aside for metropolitan planning from .5 to one percent of Federal highway funds. Requires each State to have management systems for bridges, pavement, safety, and congestion with exceptions, and a traffic monitoring system, as well as a planning process that takes into account land use, energy requirements, transportation needs, and other factors. Requires States that contain non-attainment areas under the CAA to produce an annual State transportation plan, incorporating without amendment the provisions of any metropolitan area plan developed pursuant to this Act. Directs FHWA to conduct research on Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems (IVHSs) and other new technologies, and develop indicators to measure the performance of the surface transportation system with respect to productivity, efficiency, energy use, air quality, and other factors. Directs the Secretary to create a Dwight D. Eisenhower transportation research fellowship program. Changes the Federal/State match for State research activities from 85/15 to 80/20. Allows States to program research funds without approval of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Establishes within DOT a Bureau of Transportation Statistics to collect, analyze, and disseminate information about the condition and performance of the entire transportation system. Specifies that such Bureau shall: (1) be headed by a Director who is appointed by the President; and (2) produce annual reports. Directs the Administrator of the FHWA to: (1) conduct fundamental chemical and physical property studies of petroleum and modified asphalts used in highway construction in the United States with the primary emphasis of prediction of pavement performance; (2) contract with a non-profit organization with demonstrated expertise in research associated in such areas to undertake the necessary technical and analytical research in coordination with existing programs; and (3) implement a test strip to demonstrate and evaluate unique energy and environmental advantages of the use of shale oil modified asphalts under extreme climate conditions. Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth reporting requirements. Establishes a National Magnetic Levitation Design Program to be managed jointly by the Secretary of DOT and the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. Requires such officials to establish a National Maglev Joint Project Office to carry out such program and to solicit bids from the private sector to design and construct a prototype magnetic levitation system. Requires the Secretary and Assistant Secretary to develop a national strategic plan for the design and construction of a national magnetic levitation surface transportation system, which shall include consideration of other modes of high speed surface transportation, such as high speed rail. Requires the plan to be completed and transmitted to specified congressional committees within 18 months. Specifies that: (1) phase one grants shall be given to up to six applicants to develop a conceptual design for the system at a 90/10 cost share; (2) phase two grants shall be given to up to three participants to develop detailed plans at an 80/20 cost share (and a contract for construction awarded at a 75/25 cost share); and (3) the prototype shall be constructed and ready for operational testing within three years after the award of the grant, and shall be converted to commercial operation after testing is complete. Directs the Secretary, in any case where sufficient land exists within the publicly acquired rights-of-way of any highway constructed in whole or in part with Federal-aid highway funds to accommodate needed passenger or commuter high speed ground transportation (including magnetic levitation) systems and highway and non-highway public mass transit facilities, to authorize a State to make such lands and rights-of-way available without charge to a publicly or privately owned authority or company for such purposes. (Under current law, the Administrator may make such authorization to a publicly owned mass transit authority when in the public interest with respect to rights-of-way of any Federal-aid highway to accommodate needed rail or nonhighway public mass transit facilities where this can be accomplished without impairing automotive safety or future highway improvements). Grants the States a right to income from airspace rights-of-way contingent upon such States' permitting governmental use, use by public or private entities for high speed ground transportation systems, or other transit, utility use, and occupancy where such use or occupancy is necessary for an authorized transportation project, or use for transportation projects eligible for assistance, without charge. Directs the Secretary, by October 1, 1993, to update the findings of the report required by the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 to determine the amount the United States could pay the States to reimburse them for segments incorporated into the IS that were constructed at non-Federal expense. Continues current law with respect to disadvantaged business enterprises. Modifies the dollar amount used to define a small business to adjust for inflation. Makes funds under Federal highway provisions available in the year in which they are apportioned or allocated and in the next three years. Requires that: (1) all STP projects be designed, constructed, operated, and maintained in accordance with applicable State requirements; and (2) the design and construction standards adopted by States for projects on principal arterials be those approved by the Secretary in cooperation with State highway departments and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. Authorizes any State to request that the Secretary no longer review and approve design and construction standards for any project other than a project on an interstate highway or other multi-land access control highways. Directs the Secretary, after receiving any such request, to undertake project review only as requested by the State, provided that such State complies with the requirements of all other applicable Federal laws and regulations. Authorizes a State highway or transportation department to establish maintenance standards for projects constructed pursuant to Federal highway provisions, subject to annual approval by the Secretary (which may not be withheld if a State is meeting its own standards for routine maintenance). Requires such department to establish the occupancy requirements of vehicles operating in HOV lanes, but requires no fewer than two occupants for such lanes. Specifies that, for purposes of this Act, motorcycles and bicycles shall not be considered SOVs and that nothing in this Act alters the requirement that each State allow the operation of motorcycles in HOV lanes unless the State certifies that such operation would create a safety hazard. Requires a State to repay all Federal funds for preliminary engineering for any project that has not advanced to construction or acquisition of right-of-way within ten years (currently, after a period of time) of receipt of such funds. Specifies that projects that affect historic and scenic values may be designed to protect such values. Requires States that do not adopt laws mandating the use of safety belts and motorcycle helmets to set aside a portion of funds received under the STP for highway safety programs (1.5 percent for noncompliance in FY 1994 and three percent thereafter). Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for safety education, training, monitoring, and enforcement to States that adopt safety belt and helmet laws. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of differences in injuries, medical costs, payor mix, and unreimbursed costs of restrained and unrestrained, helmeted and nonhelmeted victims of motor vehicle and motorcycle crashes. Makes public education and information activities in support of State and community motorcycle safety and safety belt programs eligible for funds authorized to be appropriated for such study. Allows a State to use as a credit toward meeting non-Federal matching requirements non-Federal capital expenditures on facilities that serve interstate commerce, provided such State maintains its aggregate non-Federal transportation capital spending at a level at or above the average of such spending for the preceding three fiscal years. Specifies that use of such credit shall not expose public, quasi-public, or private agencies from which the credit is calculated to any additional Federal oversight, regulation, or liability. Increases the period within which construction must be commenced on a right-of-way funded from the right-of-way revolving fund from ten to 20 years. Authorizes Federal reimbursement of a State for costs to acquire rights-of-way in advance of Federal approval or authorization and land necessary to preserve environmental and scenic values if specified conditions are met. Eliminates the requirement that right-of-way revolving fund advances be for projects on the Federal-aid System. Directs the Secretary to submit to the Congress a study of alternative transportation modes for use in the National Park System, considering economic and technical feasibility, environmental effects, projected costs and benefits, general suitability of transportation modes, and methods to obtain private capital for construction. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to revise the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices to include a standard for a minimum level of retroreflectivity that must be maintained for pavement markings and signs and locate a standard to define the functional classification of roads that must have a center line, edge lines, or both. Bars the Secretary from making grants under Federal highway provisions to States that fail to provide certification that not less than ten percent of the asphalt pavement laid in the State in a given year, which was financed in whole or in part by such grants, involved the use of rubber-modified asphalt, starting four years after the enactment of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) establish a phase-in period; and (2) set aside such provisions, establish a rubber-modified asphalt pavement utilization percentage of less than ten percent in a particular State, or grant a State credit toward the ten percent requirement, under specified circumstances. Expands projects eligible for right-of-way revolving fund advances to include passenger rail facilities. Creates a National Scenic and Historic Byways Program and an Office of Scenic and Historic Byways within the FHWA. Directs: (1) such Office to provide technical assistance to the States and provide grants for the planning, design, and development of State scenic byway programs; and (2) the Secretary to establish criteria for roads to be designated as part of an All American Roads Program, designate such roads, and establish criteria for the allocation of funds to the States. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary, within two years, to submit to the Congress a proposal for a National Highway System (NHS) to provide an intercontinental system of principal arterial routes, meet national defense requirements, and serve interstate and interregional travel. Specifies that such NHS shall consist of highways on the IS and other specified urban and rural principal arterials, including toll facilities. Directs the States and U.S. territories to complete a functional reclassification, to be updated periodically, of all public roads by September 30, 1993. Continues the authorization for the DOT's public information program, Operation Lifesaver. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a Timber Bridge Construction Discretionary Grant Program. Makes $5,000,000 available for obligation at the Secretary's discretion for such program. Specifies that the Federal share payable on any timber bridge construction project shall be 80 percent. Establishes criteria for selecting and approving grants. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a Program of Research on Wood Use in Transportation Structures. Makes $1,000,000 available for obligation at the Secretary's discretion for such program. Specifies that the Federal share payable on any research grant shall be 100 percent. Delineates areas of research authorized. Directs the Secretary to assure that information and technology resulting from research is transferred to State and local transportation departments and other interested parties. Authorizes (currently, requires) the Secretary to penalize a State for not making provisions for "effective control" of outdoor advertising along the IS by reducing the State allotment by up to five percent (currently, by ten percent) of its apportionment. Provides, as part of effective control, that: (1) each State shall maintain an annual inventory of all outdoor advertising signs, displays, and devices (signs) required to be controlled, identifying all such signs as either illegal, nonconforming, or conforming under State law; (2) each State shall assure that signs required to be removed under this title are removed within 90 days of the date upon which they become unlawful (or if not unlawful, the date upon which they must be removed pursuant to State or local law) or, if eligible to receive compensation pursuant to this title or to be authorized, the date upon which cash compensation is paid or the State or local authorization period ends; (3) no State may allow or undertake any vegetation removal or other alteration of the highway right-of-way with the purpose of improving the visibility of any outdoor advertising sign located outside the right-of-way; and (4) no State may permit any person to modify any outdoor advertising sign which does not conform to provisions of this title to improve its visibility or prolong its useful life. Sets forth additional provisions with respect to the removal of signs and costs incurred for such removal. Limits the use of longer combination vehicles (LCVs) on the IS to those places, and under the conditions now imposed, where they are allowed on or before June 1, 1991. (Defines an LCV as a truck tractor with two or more trailers or semi-trailers, with a gross vehicle weight of more than 80,000 pounds.) Repeals provisions: (1) requiring each State to certify annually that it is enforcing all speed limits on public highways posted at the national maximum speed limit; (2) requiring the Secretary to withhold project approval in any State that fails to certify accordingly; (3) requiring States to submit to the Secretary compliance data for a 12-month period on the percentage of motor vehicles exceeding 55 miles per hour (mph) on their public highways posted at 55; and (4) establishing a process under which a State could lose up to ten percent of its non-interstate highway construction funds for the following fiscal year if the State's 12-month compliance data show that more than 50 percent of its motorists exceeded the posted 55 mph limit. Requires each State to: (1) submit to the Secretary speed-related data as the Secretary determines necessary for each 12-month period ending on September 30, in accordance with criteria to be established by the Secretary, including data on citations and travel speeds on public highways with speed limits posted at or above 55 mph; and (2) certify to the Secretary before January 1 of each year that it is enforcing all speed limits on public highways in accordance with Federal highway provisions. Prohibits the Secretary from approving projects in States which fail to make such certification. Requires States, in preparing such certification, to consider the speed-related data that it submits to the Secretary. Part B: National Recreational Trails Trust Fund Act - National Recreational Trails Trust Fund Act of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish the National Recreational Trails Trust Fund (Fund). Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to pay into the Fund an amount equivalent to .3 percent of total HTF receipts, to be adjusted by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to use such amounts in the Fund to make grants to the States for constructing and maintaining recreational trails. Establishes the National Recreational Trails Act Advisory Committee. Part C: Intelligent Vehicle-Highway Systems Act - Intelligent Vehicle-Highway Systems Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary to conduct a program to promote and facilitate the implementation of IVHS as a component of the nation's surface transportation systems to enhance the capacity, efficiency, and safety of the Federal-aid highway system, reduce societal, economic, and environmental costs associated with traffic congestion, and enhance U.S. industrial and economic competitiveness and productivity. Requires the Secretary to: (1) coordinate an IVHS program and foster its use; (2) develop and implement standards to promote the widespread use and evaluation of IVHS technology (to the extent practicable, promoting compatibility among IVHS technologies implemented throughout the States); (3) establish guidelines and requirements for the evaluation of field and related operational tests; and (4) establish a repository for technical and safety data collected as a result of federally sponsored projects pursuant to this title. Authorizes the Secretary to utilize advisory committees in carrying out responsibilities under this title. Directs the Secretary: (1) within 12 months, to formulate (and submit to the Congress) a strategic plan for the IVHS program; (2) within 24 months and annually thereafter, to submit reports to the Congress on implementation of such plan; and (3) within 24 months, to submit a report to the Congress (and within five years, to update such report) addressing the non-technical constraints to all aspects of the innovation of such program, including antitrust, privacy, staffing, patent, and liability concerns, recommending legislation and administrative action, and addressing ways to further promote industry and State and local government involvement in such program. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide planning and technical assistance to State and local governments seeking to use and evaluate IVHS technologies; and (2) make grants for feasibility and planning studies to be conducted by State and local governments. Sets forth provisions with respect to funding and eligibility requirements, and priorities for funding projects. Directs the Secretary to: (1) designate transportation corridors in which application of IVHS will have particular benefit and, through financial and technical assistance, assist in the implementation of such systems; and (2) allocate not less than 50 percent of funds for such purpose to eligible States or local entities having several of specified characteristics, such as traffic density at least 1.5 times the national average, severe or extreme nonattainment for ozone, and complexity of traffic patterns. Specifies that the Federal share for activities authorized pursuant to this title shall be 80 percent of the cost.

Waste Tire Recycling, Abatement and Disposal Act of 1991

United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1991

Waste Tire Recycling, Abatement and Disposal Act of 1991 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to make it unlawful, after specified dates, to: (1) dispose of whole waste tires on the land or in a landfill; (2) receive waste tires at collection sites unless such tires are processed, converted to shredded tire material, or transferred to a tire retreading business within seven days of receipt; (3) operate a collection site except in compliance with specified conditions applicable to waste tire piles; (4) store more than 1,500 waste tires for more than seven days at collection sites other than as shredded tire material in tire stockpiles; (5) engage in specified activities with respect to the transportation, storage, disposal, or collection of waste tires without an approved permit; and (6) operate a waste tire stockpile containing shredded tire material from more than 2,500 waste tires or, in the case of a tire processor, more than 30 days' supply of shredded tire material to be used as feedstock within the process. Exempts from such prohibitions specified tire retailers and retreaders, businesses removing tires from vehicles, solid waste disposal facilities storing waste tires, and persons storing or using waste tires for marine or agricultural purposes. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to impose alternative requirements on such facilities and individuals. Requires tire haulers, collectors, and processors to submit specified registrations to the Administrator or a designated State agency. Authorizes State Governors to apply to the Administrator to implement waste tire recycling, abatement, and disposal programs. Requires the Administrator to publish guidance for the minimum elements of such programs, including permit and fee requirements. Sets forth program approval procedures. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to States for the implementation of such programs. Requires the Administrator to enforce programs for States that fail to do so. Authorizes the Administrator, to assure compliance with the prohibitions of this Act, to: (1) order the owner or operator of any waste tire dump, stockpile, or other collection site or any other person who has transported tires to such site to abate the dump, stockpile, or site; and (2) undertake action to abate a tire collection site using funds from the Waste Tire Recycling, Abatement, and Disposal Trust Fund. Permits the Administrator to commence civil actions against persons operating or maintaining such sites or depositing waste tires at such sites. Prescribes fines for violations of the Administrator's orders. Provides that if the Administrator takes abatement actions at a waste tire collection site, the owner or operator of such site or any person who has transported tires to such site shall be liable for the costs of such actions. Directs the Secretary of the Interior, the Administrator of the General Services Administration, and the head of other Federal agencies owning land on which a tire collection site is located to implement a plan to abate waste tire dumps and stockpiles on such lands. Requires all waste tires in such dumps and stockpiles to be disposed, recycled, or transferred to tire processing facilities by December 31, 1996. Authorizes appropriations. Permits the EPA Administrator to make grants to States from funds appropriated from the Waste Tire Recycling, Abatement, and Disposal Trust Fund for waste tire programs. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer monies from the Fund to: (1) the Secretary of the Interior, the Administrator of the General Services Administration, or the head of any Federal agency on which a waste tire collection site is located for abating such sites; and (2) the Secretary of Transportation or heads of other Federal agencies engaged in road building for offsetting costs associated with the procurement of rubber-modified asphalt pavement for road construction, surfacing, or resurfacing. Authorizes the use of Fund monies for enforcing Federal tire recycling, abatement, and disposal programs for States that fail to do so. Permits the EPA Administrator to use Fund monies to make grants and enter into contracts for research and development on waste tire processing and recycling technologies or on the use, performance, and marketability of products made from materials produced from waste tire processing. Requires the Administrator to conduct a research program to determine: (1) the health and environmental risks associated with the production and use of rubber-modified asphalt pavement; (2) the performance of such pavement under climate and use conditions; and (3) the degree to which such pavement can be recycled. Sets forth enforcement provisions. Provides for civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation from making grants to a State under Federal highway provisions (other than for safety projects) unless the State has certified that at least ten percent of the asphalt pavement laid in the State and financed by such grants shall be rubber-modified asphalt pavement. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) establish a phase-in period for such requirement (for up to eight years) if necessary to establish rubber-modified asphalt pavement production and application facilities; and (2) increase the percentage of such pavement used in federally-assisted highway projects, as appropriate. Authorizes the Secretary to set aside such requirement for a three-year period if there is evidence that: (1) techniques for mixing and applying such pavement increase risks to health and the environment as compared to risks associated with conventional pavement; (2) such pavement cannot be recycled to the same degree as conventional pavement; or (3) such pavement does not perform satisfactorily as a material for the construction or surfacing of highways and roads. Permits determinations to set aside requirements to be renewed for an additional three years. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) modify the minimum percentage of rubber-modified asphalt pavement to be used in highway projects if there is not a sufficient quantity of waste tires available in a State; and (2) grant a State credit toward such percentage requirement for volumes of such pavement used in other road and construction projects, provided that the total volume of such pavement used in the State annually is not less than ten percent of the conventional pavement used in federally-assisted highway projects. Directs the Administrator to promulgate final procurement guidelines for rubber products containing crumb rubber derived by processing waste tires by December 31, 1993.

116 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Energy the action he proposes to take to seek to improve the industrial relations climate in the ESB following on the recent dispute which was the third inside seven years.

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 30 April 1991

116 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Energy the action he proposes to take to seek to improve the industrial relations climate in the ESB following on the recent dispute which was the third inside seven years.

116 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Energy the action he proposes to take to seek to improve the industrial relations climate in the ESB following on the recent dispute which was the third inside seven years.

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 30 April 1991

116 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Energy the action he proposes to take to seek to improve the industrial relations climate in the ESB following on the recent dispute which was the third inside seven years.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Authorization Act of 1992

United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1991

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Authorization Act of 1991 - Title I: National Ocean Service - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Commerce for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for: (1) mapping, charting, and geodesy; (2) observation and assessment; and (3) ocean and coastal management. Title II: National Marine Fisheries Service - Amends the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Fisheries Program Authorization Act to authorize appropriations to the Department of Commerce for the National Marine Fisheries Service for: (1) information collection and analysis; (2) conservation and management; and (3) State and industry assistance. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements with, and provide financial assistance to, State, marine fisheries commissions, regional fishery management councils, and academic institutions for research on marine animals, endangered species, and fisheries conservation and management. Title III: Oceanic and Atmospheric Research - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for NOAA for: (1) climate and air quality research; and (2) atmospheric research. Requires the Office of the Chief Scientist of NOAA to submit to the Congress a plan for implementation of a nationwide climate services system and applied climatology program. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for NOAA for ocean and Great Lakes research. Authorizes appropriations to the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OOAR) of NOAA for the Cooperative Institute for Limnology and Ecosystems Research. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for the OOAR for a large lakes research plan. Title IV: National Weather Service - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS) for operations and research. Mandates establishment of: (1) an advisory committee on Atlantic tropical cyclone research and reconnaissance; and (2) a five-year program for data collection, research, and analysis on such cyclones. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for the NWS for public warning and forecast systems, including systems acquisition. Mandates an annual report to the Congress of an updated National Implementation Plan for the modernization of the NWS. Prohibits closing, consolidating, automating, or relocating National Weather Service Offices or National Weather Service Forecast Offices unless certain conditions are met. Title V: National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for NOAA for: (1) satellite observing systems; and (2) data and information services. Amends the Land Remote-Sensing Commercialization Act of 1984 to mandate that any license issued under specified provisions of that Act specify that the licensee shall promptly make available all unenhanced data which the Secretary of the Interior (currently, the Secretary of Commerce) may request under specified provisions of the Act relating to archiving of data. Amends provisions of the Act relating to archiving in order to transfer from the Secretary of Commerce to the Secretary of the Interior responsibility for: (1) providing for long-term storage, maintenance, and upgrading of the basic, global, land remote-sensing data set; (2) requesting data needed for the basic data set from a system operator; (3) making data which is in the public domain available to requesting parties; and (4) using existing Government facilities, to the extent practicable, to carry out these functions. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to consult with the Secretary of Commerce to ensure that archiving activities are consistent with the terms and conditions of any contract, agreement, or license under specified provisions of the Act. Title VI: Program Support - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for NOAA for: (1) executive direction and administrative activities; (2) acquisition, construction, maintenance, and operation of facilities; (3) marine services; and (4) reactivation and operation of a specified research vessel. Prohibits deactivation of any NOAA research vessel until an equivalent replacement is operational. Prohibits construction of any NOAA vessel or its major components in a foreign shipyard. Prohibits NOAA vessels homeported in the United States from being overhauled, repaired, or maintained in a foreign shipyard, except for voyage repairs. Directs the Secretary to consult with the Oceanographer of the Navy regarding interoperability of NOAA vessels with Navy vessels. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for modernization of the NOAA fleet. Mandates submission to the Congress of a detailed fleet replacement and modernization plan. Authorizes the Secretary to acquire NOAA vessels by purchase, lease, lease-purchase, or otherwise, under one or more multi-year contracts. Imposes requirements and conditions on such contracts. Amends provisions of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 relating to capital construction funds to add vessels operating under an agreement with the Secretary for use by NOAA to the definitions of "eligible vessel" and "qualified vessel." Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for NOAA for aircraft services. Title VII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Requires notice to specified congressional committees: (1) before the Secretary may carry out a major reorganization of, or reprogram over a specified amount of funds appropriated for, any NOAA program or activity; and (2) annually regarding any new NOAA program or activity. Requires the Comptroller General to submit to the Congress an audit of: (1) natural resource damage assessment and restoration activities of NOAA under specified Acts; and (2) the Damage Assessment and Restoration Revolving Fund. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on a two-year budget cycle for NOAA. Freezes the price of nautical charts or other nautical products produced or published by NOAA. Mandates a report to the Congress by the Committee on Earth and Environmental Sciences of the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology regarding: (1) the most urgent current needs of oceanographic researchers for remote sensing capabilities and remotely sensed data; and (2) the major goals of satellite oceanography for the next ten years. Directs the Secretary to submit to specified congressional committees a report on how current and planned Federal satellite capabilities can aid in the enforcement of Federal fisheries laws and international fisheries conservation programs. Establishes in NOAA a Cooperative Institute of Fisheries Oceanography in partnership with Duke University and the Consolidated University of North Carolina. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to acquire space from the Administrator of General Services in the area of Newport News-Norfolk, Virginia, for consolidating and meeting the long-term space needs of NOAA in a cost-effective manner. Authorizes exchange of Department of Commerce real property for other real property in the area. Directs the Secretary to complete and make publicly available a manual describing requirements for recipients of NOAA financial assistance. Prohibits, after enactment of this Act, subjecting such assistance to review by the Financial Assistance Review Board. Sets forth procedures applicable to nondiscretionary assistance programs. Declares that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, financial assistance provided under a program for which the recipient is specified by statute to be, or has customarily been, a State or an interstate fishery commission may be provided on a sole-source basis. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for implementing the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990. Prohibits using amounts appropriated under this Act for activities authorized separately under the Deep Seabed Hard Minerals Resources Act. Repeals the National Ocean Pollution Planning Act of 1978. Authorizes the Secretary to make a grant of a specified amount to a qualified institution to develop and promote innovative postsecondary education and research in seafood business management and vessel operations.

A bill to authorize construction of a National Weather Service facility by the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1991

Authorizes the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to construct and operate, on land to be leased from the University of Nevada System, Desert Research Institute (or to acquire by lease construction on such land, with a lease term of up to 30 years), a Weather Forecast Office, upper air facility, regional climate center, and associated instruments and site improvements as part of the implementation of the Next Generation Weather Radar and National Weather Service Modernization Program.

National Arid Climate Groundwater Research Center Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1991

National Arid Climate Groundwater Research Center Act - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish the National Arid Climate Groundwater Research Center in the State of Nevada. Directs the Center to: (1) study and evaluate the availability, usage, and management of groundwater in arid regions; (2) study and evaluate means of monitoring and regulating contaminants in groundwater; (3) coordinate groundwater research with Federal, State, and private agencies; (4) encourage graduate and undergraduate education in disciplines and professions related to groundwater; (5) provide a forum for consideration of issues involving the management and protection of groundwater; and (6) make its work accessible to the public. Authorizes appropriations.

World Climate Convention Observer Group Resolution

United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1991

World Climate Convention Observer Group Resolution - Establishes the Senate World Climate Convention Observer Group to monitor the World Climate Convention process. Requires that all foreign travel of the Observer Group be authorized jointly by the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate, and upon the recommendation of both the Chairman and Co-Chairman of the Group. Authorizes the Majority Leader or the Minority Leader to designate one other Senator of his party who is not a member of the Group to travel and participate in its activities in his stead, if such Leader does not travel on an official trip of the Group. Terminates this Act upon the adjournment sine die of the First Session of the 102d Congress.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Authorization Act of 1991

United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1991

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Authorization Act of 1991 - Title I: Ocean and Coastal Programs - Ocean and Coastal Programs Authorization Act of 1991 - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Commerce for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for: (1) mapping, charting, and geodesy; (2) observation and assessment; (3) ocean and coastal management; (4) climate and air quality research; and (5) atmospheric research. Requires the Office of the Chief Scientist of NOAA to submit to the Congress a plan for implementation of a nationwide climate services system and applied climatology program. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for NOAA for: (1) ocean and Great Lakes research; (2) executive direction and administrative activities; (3) acquisition, construction, maintenance, and operation of facilities; (4) marine services; and (5) aircraft services. Requires notice to congressional committees before the Secretary may: (1) reprogram over a certain amount of funds; or (2) obligate any amount for a NOAA program proposed or developed after enactment of this Act. Freezes the price of nautical charts or other nautical products produced or published by NOAA. Mandates a report to the Congress by the Committee on Earth and Environmental Sciences of the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology regarding: (1) the most urgent current needs of oceanographic researchers for remote sensing capabilities and remotely sensed data; and (2) the major goals of satellite oceanography for the next ten years. Requires the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to submit to the Congress a report on how current and planned Federal satellite capabilities can aid in the enforcement of Federal fisheries laws and the implementation of international fisheries conservation programs. Establishes in NOAA a Cooperative Institute of Fisheries Oceanography in partnership with Duke University and the Consolidated University of North Carolina. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to acquire, by exchange or lease-purchase or both, real property and improvement in the area of Newport News-Norfolk, Virginia, for consolidating NOAA facilities. Requires the Comptroller General to submit to the Congress in each of four specified years an audit of: (1) NOAA's Damage Assessment program; and (2) the Damage Assessment and Restoration Revolving Fund. Title II: National Weather Service - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for the National Weather Service for operations and research. Mandates establishment of: (1) an advisory committee on Atlantic tropical cyclone research and reconnaissance; and (2) a five-year program for data collection, research, and analysis on such cyclones. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for NOAA for public warning and forecast systems, including systems acquisition. Title III: National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for NOAA for: (1) satellite observing systems; and (2) data and information services. Amends the Land Remote-Sensing Commercialization Act of 1984 to mandate that any license issued under specified provisions of that Act specify that the licensee shall promptly make available all unenhanced data which the Secretary of the Interior (currently, the Secretary of Commerce) may request under specified provisions of the Act relating to archiving of data. Amends provisions of the Act relating to archiving in order to transfer from the Secretary of Commerce to the Secretary of the Interior responsibility for: (1) providing for long-term storage, maintenance, and upgrading of the basic, global, land remote-sensing data set; (2) requesting data needed for the basic data set from a system operator; (3) making data which is in the public domain available to requesting parties; and (4) using existing Government facilities, to the extent practicable, to carry out these functions. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to consult with the Secretary of Commerce to ensure that archiving activities are consistent with the terms and conditions of any contract, agreement, or license under specified provisions of the Act. Title IV: NOAA Budget Process - Provides for a two-year budget process for NOAA.

To authorize appropriations for certain atmospheric and satellite programs and functions of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1991

Title I: National Weather Service - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Commerce for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for the National Weather Service (NWS) for operations and research. Mandates establishment of: (1) an advisory committee on Atlantic tropical cyclone research and reconnaissance; and (2) a five-year program for data collection, research, and analysis on such cyclones. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for the NWS for public warning and forecast systems, including systems acquisition. Title II: Atmospheric Research - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for NOAA for climate and air quality research and atmospheric research. Requires the Office of the Chief Scientist of NOAA to submit to the Congress a plan for implementation of a nationwide climate services system and applied climatology program. Title III: National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for NOAA for: (1) satellite observing systems; and (2) data and information services.

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the United States policy on carbon dioxide emissions.

United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1991

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that it should be U.S. policy to reduce national emissions of carbon dioxide in the next ten years by 20 percent from the 1988 baseline level and to assume a leadership position in negotiating an international climate protection treaty that includes establishing: (1) agreements by industrialized nations to reduce their current carbon dioxide emissions by 20 percent over 1988 levels in the next ten years, by developing nations to reduce their growth in carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel combustion, and by all countries to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases; (2) an international fund and other financial mechanisms to help developing countries achieve such objectives; (3) mechanisms for continuing international cooperation for the development of policies for future emissions reductions; and (4) commitments to cease the destruction of primary forests.

A bill to establish the Spark M. Matsunaga Renewable Energy and Ocean Technology Center and make funds available to the facility for renewable energy and ocean resources research, development, and transfer.

United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1991

Establishes the Spark M. Matsunaga Renewable Energy and Ocean Technology Center at Keahole Point, Hawaii. Provides that such center is to be administered through the University of Hawaii and is authorized to conduct research, development, and techology transfer on: (1) solar and renewable energy; (2) energy storage, including the production of hydrogen from renewable energy; (3) materials applications related to energy and marine environments; and (4) other environmental and ocean resource concepts, including sea ranching and global climate change. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 through 1994 for ocean resource and renewable research, development, and technology transfer at the center.

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the United States policy on carbon dioxide emissions.

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1991

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that it should be U.S. policy to reduce national emissions of carbon dioxide in the next ten years by 20 percent from the 1990 baseline level and to assume a leadership position in negotiating an international climate protection treaty that includes establishing: (1) agreements by industrialized nations to reduce their current carbon dioxide emissions by 20 percent in the next ten years, by developing nations to reduce their growth in carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel combustion, and by all countries to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases; (2) an international fund to help developing countries achieve such objectives; and (3) a mechanism for continuing international cooperation for the development of policies for future emissions reductions.

National Energy Efficiency and Development Act of 1991

United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1991

National Energy Efficiency and Development Act of 1991 - Title I: Energy Policy Initiatives - Subtitle A: National Energy Strategy - Requires the first National Energy Policy Plan submitted by the President to the Congress after enactment of this Act to include a least-cost energy strategy prepared by the Secretary of Energy (Secretary). Requires such strategy to contain: (1) a comprehensive inventory of available energy and energy efficiency resources and their costs; (2) a proposed two-year program for assuring adequate supplies of such resources, along with identification of actions possible under existing Federal law; and (3) recommendations for any new Federal authority needed to achieve the purposes of this Act. Subtitle B: Director of Climate Protection - Directs the Secretary to appoint a Director of Climate Protection to: (1) serve as the Secretary's representative for interagency and multilateral policy discussions of global climate change; (2) monitor domestic and international policies for their effects on the generation of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases; and (3) have the authority to participate in departmental planning activities. Title II: Measures to Improve the Energy Efficiency of the United States Economy - Subtitle A: Research and Development - Amends the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technology Competitiveness Act of 1989 (REEETCA) to authorize appropriations for energy efficiency research and development. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress triennially on energy efficiency policy options. Subtitle B: Industrial Energy Efficiency - Directs the Secretary to pursue a research and development program and enter into cost-shared joint ventures to improve efficiency in energy intensive industries (such as steel, chemicals, glass, paper, and aluminum). Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to develop, directly or by contract, a voluntary national program to devise standards for energy audits and the installation of insulation in industrial facilities. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to establish (and report to the Congress on): (1) a reporting system for industry to supply annual energy use and energy intensity information; and (2) voluntary energy efficiency improvement targets for energy-intensive industries. Directs the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration to expand the scope and frequency of the data it collects on energy use in the United States; and (2) report annually to the Congress on such data. Subtitle C: Efficiency in Commercial and Residential Buildings and Other Products - Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act (NECPA) to direct the Secretary to establish a program to provide technical assistance to States and localities in updating energy efficiency provisions of residential and commercial building codes. Requires each State or locality, by four years after enactment of this Act, to certify that it has reviewed and updated such codes so that they meet or exceed the requirements of the Council of American Building Officials' Model Energy Code (CABO-MEC). Requires each State or locality, by three years after such certification, to further certify that all new residential commercial buildings built during such period meet updated code requirements. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to promulgate procedural guidelines for, and provide technical assistance to, States which adopt residential energy efficiency rating systems. Requires all residential buildings, by five years after enactment of this Act, to have numerical energy efficiency ratings. Requires disclosure to potential purchasers of such ratings. Makes any residential building which fails to meet CABO-MEC standards ineligible for Federal mortgage financing programs. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to advise the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development on energy standards for manufactured housing; and (2) test the performance and cost-effectiveness of manufactured housing built to such standards. Creates in the Treasury the State Energy Efficiency Project Fund to provide for grants to States to undertake energy efficiency projects in State- and locally-owned buildings. Requires an annual report to the Congress on Fund activities. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to provide financial and technical assistance to support the voluntary development of a national window rating program to establish energy efficiency ratings for windows and window systems. Requires the Secretary to establish such a system if no voluntary program succeeds within two years after enactment of this Act. Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prescribe labeling rules for such rating system, unless labeling is not technologically or economically feasible or is not likely to help consumers make purchasing decisions. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to set minimum energy efficiency standards for certain types of lamps, appliance motors, commercial air conditioning and heating equipment, utility distribution transformers, showerheads, and commercial office equipment. Requires: (1) the FTC to prescribe labeling for such products; and (2) manufacturers to provide labeling meeting FTC requirements. Provides for enforcement of such labeling requirements. Directs the Secretary to establish, for a five-year period, a program to train and certify energy efficiency contractors. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Federal Energy Management - Amends NECPA to require all Federal agencies to install all energy conservation measures which are cost-effective on a ten-year life-cycle cost basis. Permits such agencies to accept gas or electric utility incentives designed to encourage cost-effective energy demand management or energy conservation. Requires the Secretary to develop a simplified method of contracting for shared energy savings contract services that will reduce the administrative effort and cost on the part of the government as well as the private customers. Directs the Administrator of the General Services Administration to analyze significant energy consuming products in the Federal Supply Schedule and develop and implement a method to identify products which offer cost-effective opportunities to reduce energy consumption and costs. Directs the Secretary to establish guidelines for the transfer of up to $1,000,000 per project to encourage Federal agencies to undertake energy efficiency projects in federally owned facilities. Requires annual reports to the Congress on such projects. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to establish a financial bonus program to reward outstanding facility energy managers in Federal agencies. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to direct the President to promulgate rules prohibiting each executive agency from acquiring any automobile with a fuel economy that is not greater than the average fuel economy for that particular model type for the previous model year. Directs the Secretary to submit to the Congress, and update every two years, a plan for demonstrating energy efficiency and renewable energy resource technologies in federally owned facilities. Amends REEETCA to require the Secretary to finance at least one joint venture for the demonstration of fuel cell technology in Federal facilities in order to accelerate commercial application of such cells. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to study and report on the use of Federal purchasing power to encourage the development of more energy efficient products. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle E: Utility Energy Efficiency - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) to direct States to require State-regulated utilities to employ a planning and selection process for new energy resources that evaluates the full range of existing and incremental resources in order to meet expected future demand at the lowest possible cost to society. Declares that the rates allowed to be charged by a State-regulated utility shall be such that: (1) the utility's investments in and expenditures for energy conservation, energy efficiency resources, and other demand-side management resources are at least as profitable as those for the construction of new generating equipment or the acquisition of other new supply-side resources; and (2) the utility is encouraged to make investments and expenditures for all cost-effective improvements in the energy efficiency of power generation and supply. States that the full cost of an energy resource shall include specified external costs associated with its use. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the Congress and certify which States have complied with such requirements. Declares that, beginning four years after enactment of this Act, energy efficiency measures shall be considered as "qualifying facilities" eligible for certain PURPA programs in States that have not adopted procedures to meet the requirements of this Act. Directs the Western, Southwestern, and Southeastern Power Marketing Administrations (PMAs) to ensure that they and their customer utilities acquire all cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy resources. Requires each long-term firm power contract between a PMA and a customer utility to require the utility to develop and implement an energy efficiency and renewable energy program. Requires such PMAs to implement programs directly to acquire cost-effective conservation and renewable energy resources in the region in conjunction with such utility programs. Requires the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to: (1) develop a similar least-cost plan; and (2) execute similar long-term firm contracts with its customer utilities. Requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to: (1) develop an office of energy efficiency to coordinate FERC's energy conservation and efficiency activities; and (2) establish procedures for expedited review of any interstate power sales conducted in accordance with the purchasing utility's least-cost energy plan. Subtitle F: Used Oil Energy Production Act of 1991 - Used Oil Energy Production Act of 1991 - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to require a producer or importer of 100,000 gallons or more per year of lubricating oil to increase annually the percentage (set by the Secretary) of recycled oil either: (1) by refining, rerefining, or reprocessing it into petroleum products (including fuels); or (2) by purchasing certain oil recycling credits. Exempts certain facilities from such requirements. Requires annual reports to specified congressional committees. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) not to list or identify used oil as a hazardous waste for certain purposes. Subtitle G: Tire Recycling Incentives - Tire Recycling Incentives Act - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require tire producers or importers to increase annually the percentage (set by the EPA Administrator) of scrap tires recycled either: (1) by retreading or processing new tire products; or (2) by purchasing certain tire recycling credits. Requires the EPA Administrator to report to the Congress on scrap tire recycling. Sets forth civil penalties for violations of this subtitle. Directs the EPA Administrator to: (1) publish in the Federal Register minimum requirements for State scrap tire management and procedures under which such requirements shall be incorporated into State solid waste management plans; (2) provide for expedited review of State plans which include specified scrap tire recycling measures; and (3) establish standards to minimize health and environmental damages from the improper disposal and storage of tires. Requires such standards to provide for: (1) bans on the disposal of tires in land disposal facilities and on the intentional infliction of damage on tire casings to preclude casings from being used in retreading; (2) State inventories of scrap tire collection facilities, tire advisory boards, and scrap tire abatement plans; (3) agreements between facilities which distribute more than 1,000 tires annually and licensed tire haulers for the exclusive hauling of scrap tires by licensed haulers; and (4) prohibitions on the transportation of scrap tires by transporters without transportation identification numbers. Specifies exceptions. Directs the Administrator to publish guidelines for States for the issuance of permits to scrap tire collection facilities. Requires the Administrator to promulgate guidelines for States for facility emergency plans. Requires facility owners or operators to notify the State immediately in the event of an emergency with potential offsite impacts. Requires all regulated facilities to have appropriate financial responsibility or insurance to maintain the facility for at least five years after closure. Exempts specified persons from permit requirements. Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations for the State to use to issue permits to scrap tire recycling facilities. Requires the Secretary of the Interior, together with the heads of agencies responsible for public lands or military installations, to implement a plan to remediate tire piles. Directs the Administrator to develop a guideline for procuring items that make use of scrap or used tires. Requires Federal departments, if the Administrator fails to promulgate such guideline, to procure items containing at least 75 percent of post-consumer scrap rubber from scrap tires if the rubber is available within a reasonable time at a reasonable price and meets performance standards. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, to publish standards to determine the life-cycle costs and benefits of items that make use of rubber from scrap or used tires as compared with items that make use of rubber other than from scrap or used tires. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to report to the Congress on: (1) direct worker environmental health effects relating to asphalt made from crumb rubber from scrap tires; (2) the recyclability of asphalt road surfaces made from crumb rubber from scrap tires; and (3) the estimated life of existing asphalt road surfaces made from crumb rubber from scrap tires. Permits States to: (1) enter into consent agreements with owners and operators of scrap tire collection facilities for proper management and abatement of scrap tires; and (2) levy fines on facilities for noncompliance. Imposes fines on tire facilities and landfills for specified violations of this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle H: Insular Areas Energy Assistance - Authorizes the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) to grant financial assistance to Insular area governments to carry out energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Measures to Promote the Use of Renewable Energy - Subtitle A: Renewable Energy Technology Transfers - Amends REEETCA to authorize appropriations for: (1) renewable energy research and development programs; (2) State conservation programs; (3) State research and applied technology transfer programs; (4) Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory information and publications; (5) four pilot programs to demonstrate model technology transfer and design assistance programs; (6) an advanced research and development information computer network; and (7) at least ten photovoltaic demonstration projects of at least ten megawatts in size to supply electric power to a power grid. Directs the Secretary to develop a Strategic Technology Transfer Implementation Plan for the national and international transfer of renewable energy and energy efficiency technology information. Amends the Federal Power Act and PURPA to: (1) make small biomass and hydropower production facilities specifically "eligible facilities" under such Act; and (2) define "alternative power production facility." Subtitle B: Amendments to the Committee on Renewable Energy Commerce and Trade (CORECT) - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to require the Committee on Renewable Energy Commerce and Trade (CORECT) to promote the development and application in lesser-developed countries of specified renewable energy and energy efficiency resource technologies. Authorizes CORECT to establish renewable energy industry outreach offices in the Pacific Rim and in the Caribbean Basin. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on the range of energy efficient and renewable energy technologies available to meet the energy needs of lesser-developed countries. Authorizes appropriations. Earmarks funds to assist U.S. manufacturers of renewable energy and energy efficient technology in exporting their products to lesser-developed countries. Title IV: Measures to Promote the Use of Alternative Motor Vehicles and Fuels - Subtitle A: Alternative Transportation Fuels - Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements and joint ventures to demonstrate the feasibility (including safety of specific vehicle design) of using natural gas or other alternative fuels for mass transit. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to establish a program to provide financial assistance to encourage the development and commercialization of natural gas and other alternative fuel use in passenger fleets, light duty, and heavy duty trucks. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish a training and certification program for technicians who are responsible for vehicle installation of equipment that converts gasoline or diesel-fuel vehicles to the capability to run on natural gas or other alternative fuels. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of Energy to carry out a program of research, development, and demonstration on techniques related to improving natural gas and other alternative fuel vehicle technology. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to: (1) institute an awareness program to educate potential purchasers of the costs, emission characteristics, and other features of alternative fuels; (2) report to the Congress on Federal purchasing policies which inhibit Federal purchase of alternative-fuel vehicles; (3) report to the Congress on how Federal, State, and local traffic control measures could promote the use of alternative-fuel vehicles; and (4) develop a plan for establishment of Federal and State trust funds to provide loans to convert vehicles to operate on alternative fuels or purchase alternative-fuel vehicles. Amends the Natural Gas Act to exclude the sale of natural gas as a vehicle fuel from the price regulation jurisdiction of FERC. Declares that a company shall not be considered a natural gas company under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 solely because it distributes or sells natural gas as a motor vehicle fuel. Exempts from State regulation as a public utility (unless otherwise primarily engaged in business as such) any person or entity transporting or selling alternative vehicle fuels. Directs the Secretary to establish a fund to provide 50 percent of the cost of establishing offices of alternative fuels in State governments, as well as alternative fuel programs launched by such offices. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to study whether the use of alternative fuels in nonroad vehicles and engines would contribute substantially to reduced reliance on imported energy sources. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations requiring, where feasible, nonroad vehicles and engines to use alternative fuels if such study concludes that such use could reduce reliance on imported energy sources by ten percent nationwide within a ten-year period. Subtitle B: Alternative Fuel Fleet Requirement - Requires every person who owns, operates, leases, or otherwise controls a motor vehicle fleet of specified composition in a metropolitan statistical area of over 250,000 population which is also an EPA-classified nonattainment area to increase the percentage of alternative-fueled vehicles in such fleet by specified increments annually until it reaches 90 percent in the year 2000. Directs the Secretary to allocate credits to covered persons who exceed the required quota of alternative-fueled vehicles. Establishes administrative and civil penalties (together with appropriate enforcement procedures) for violations of the requirements or prohibitions of this subtitle. Subtitle C: Electric Vehicle Technology Development and Demonstration - Electric Vehicle Technology Development and Demonstration Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary to identify EPA-classified nonattainment areas in the United States in which the use of conventionally fueled vehicles contributes significantly to that nonattainment and in which the use of electric vehicles could contribute to attainment of applicable National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Directs the Secretary, after identifying such areas, to request applications from, and eventually select, manufacturers to develop, demonstrate, certify, manufacture, sell, warranty, and service electric vehicles in one or more of them. Requires: (1) the selected manufacturers to offer electric vehicle purchasers certain discounts; and (2) the Secretary to reimburse them the amount of such discounts. Requires annual reports to the Congress on such program. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Transportation and Energy Efficiency - Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to establish average fuel economy standards for passenger automobiles and automobiles other than passenger automobiles (light trucks) for model years 1996 and thereafter. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to modify such standards, in response to a petition, according to a specified procedure. Requires the EPA Administrator to report annually to specified congressional committees on a study which: (1) examines the accuracy of fuel economy testing of passenger automobiles and light trucks; and (2) assesses the extent to which fuel economy deteriorates during the lifetime of such vehicles. Directs the Secretary of Energy to distribute at least 100 explanatory booklets each year to every dealer and additional numbers if requested. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to provide for a review and report to the Congress by the National Academy of Sciences on the current state of research and development in light truck fuel economy and passenger automobile fuel economy and an assessment of the potential for improving the fuel efficiency and reducing the energy consumption of passenger automobiles and light trucks. Requires the Secretary of Energy to study and report to the Congress on the future options for regulating the fuel efficiency of such vehicles beyond 2001. Provides for the judicial review of average fuel economy standards (including modifications thereof) established under this Act. Doubles the civil penalty for repeated violations of the fuel economy standard. Requires such penalty to be adjusted for inflation. Title VI: Measures to Displace Petroleum as a Vehicle Fuel - Replacement Fuels and Alternative Fuels Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) to: (1) establish a program to promote the development and use of domestic-produced replacement and alternative fuels; and (2) prescribe the minimum percentage of domestic-produced replacement and alternative fuels, on an energy equivalent basis, to be sold in calendar years 1996 and 1997 by any refiner for use as a motor fuel. Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to authorize the Secretary of Transportation, if the average fuel economy standard for passenger automobiles is increased above 27.5 miles per gallon for any model year, to increase the maximum increase in average fuel economy for a manufacturer attributable to dual energy and natural gas dual energy automobiles until alternative and replacement motor fuel sales indicate that such fuels are displacing conventional petroleum as a motor fuel. Sets forth civil penalties for violations of this Act and a procedure for appealing such penalties. Authorizes appropriations. Title VII: Measures to Promote the Use of Natural Gas - Directs the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) to conduct a program of research, development, and demonstration of cofiring (of natural gas and pulverized coal), including gas reburn technologies (which reduce nitrogen oxide emissions), in electric utility units and large industrial boilers in order to determine optimal natural gas injection levels for both environmental and operational benefits. Provides for financial assistance to or cooperative agreements with public or private entities under such program. Sets the Federal shares of costs at 50 percent. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to expand the program for research, development, and demonstration for natural gas and electric heating and cooling technologies for residential and commercial buildings. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Natural Gas Act to direct FERC to develop an incentive formula for rates and charges for the sale or transportation of natural gas. Sets as the development goals for such formula: (1) allowing natural gas companies to earn a fair rate of return; (2) providing proper price signals to the marketplace; and (3) rewarding pipeline efficiency. Repeals FERC's authority to delay decision-making on ratemaking orders beyond the 30-day rehearing requirement without cause. Requires FERC to take final action on a rehearing application within 60 days after it is filed. Permits natural gas companies to file for FERC approval joint rates negotiated by them for the transportation of natural gas through each of their pipelines in sequence on the way to market. Exempts such rates from coverage under specified antitrust law. Declares that, in the setting of natural gas company rates, a plant shall be recognized so long as it is used and useful in discharging the company's utility business (even if it is already completely depreciated). Declares that pipeline sales rates shall be presumed just and reasonable if workably competitive alternatives exist for such sales. Sets forth conditions under which new natural gas company services (where competitive, certified services already exist) do not need a certificate of public convenience and necessity. Amends the Natural Gas Act to provide automatic abandonment of the sales obligation upon contract expiration, subject to a pipeline's right to extend. Declares that any fixed charge paid by an interstate pipeline to a first seller for gas supply security shall be recoverable on an "as-billed basis" in the pipeline's demand charges, unless FERC determines, after a hearing, that the pipeline does not offer a reasonably competitive alternative to its sales service. Requires the Secretary to condition the approval of any natural gas import application upon FERC action to redress any anti-competitive impacts on U.S. gas producers, including competitive disparities resulting from different rate designs applied to the transportation of domestic gas and imported supplies. Directs the Secretary to expand and continue, through joint ventures, a program of research, development, and demonstration on techniques to increase: (1) intensive recovery of natural gas in place in discovered reservoirs or formations; and (2) economic recovery from nonconventional sources, including tight formation, Devonian shales, and geopressurized brines. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1968 to exempt from Natural Gas Act coverage and FERC jurisdiction the construction or operation of any facilities if the natural gas company constructing such facilities: (1) holds a certificate pursuant to which it has agreed to provide open access transportation service; and (2) the company agrees that such certificate shall apply to any transportation service through the new facilities. Requires all such facilities to be constructed in accordance with applicable environmental protection and safety laws and regulations, except the National Environmental Policy Act of 1978 (NEPA). Directs FERC to create an environmental review process under NEPA providing that pipeline construction projects which are confined to existing utility or highway corridors, and do not involve construction in high value wetland areas, shall be afforded a rebuttable presumption of no significant impact. Makes FERC the lead agency with primary authority for compliance with NEPA in any case where FERC authorization of the construction or operation of facilities or projects under the Natural Gas Act may be deemed a major Federal action. Amends the Natural Gas Act to grant FERC the power to issue certificates of public convenience and necessity in a two-phase process: (1) the first phase, which shall constitute a final order, involving all matters requiring FERC review and approval except environmental matters; and (2) the second phase, addressing required environmental matters only. Directs FERC to revise its environmental review procedures to allow pipelines to submit Environmental Assessments (EAs) at the time of filing for approval of proposed facilities, using general standards specified by FERC. Requires the revised procedures to presume EAs valid subject to FERC review for compliance with its own standards. Requires FERC to permit a certificate applicant to elect a contractor, consultant or other FERC designee to prepare the environmental impact statement at the applicant's expense. Requires FERC to develop procedures to ensure against conflicts of interest in such contracting. Directs the Office of Technology Assessment to study and report to the Congress on: (1) the global trends of production, usage, and transportation of natural gas and the ways in which these trends can affect domestic energy policy and the U.S. natural gas industry; and (2) State and locally imposed institutional and regulatory barriers to increase national natural gas usage. Title VIII: Tax Treatment of Energy Resources - Subtitle A: Renewable Energy Production Incentive - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a renewable energy production credit for electric power plants that operate on solar, wind, and geothermal energy. Sets the credit at two cents (inflation-adjusted annually) per kilowatt hour produced and sold by the taxpayer to an unrelated person. Applies such credit only to facilities built during taxable years 1991 through 1996. Sets forth decreasing credit allowances for 1997 through 2001. Sets the credit for geothermal properties at half the credit for other renewable energy properties. Subtitle B: Transportation - Limits the exclusion from gross income of parking provided by the taxpayer's employer to parking located on the employer's premises only. (Currently the parking may be located on or near the premises.) Requires the employer to operate such facility and restrict substantially all its use to employees. Expands the working condition fringe exclusion from gross income to include up to $75 per month of any van pooling or reimbursement for public mass transit use provided by the taxpayer's employer. Subtitle C: Buildings and Housing Tax Credits - Allows an individual a tax credit of up to $100 of qualified oil retrofit conservation expenditures ($50 in the case of a married individual filing a separate return) for the taxpayer's principal residence. Defines oil retrofit component to include: (1) flame retention burners; (2) insulation measures and water-heater wraps; (3) automatic thermostat controls; and (4) window insulation measures. Subtitle D: Utilities - Excludes from gross income the amount (if in cash) or value (if in kind) of any subsidy (rebate) provided by a public utility to a customer in connection with the purchase, installation, use, or maintenance of any energy or water conservation measure or for energy savings delivered by such measures. Denies any deduction or credit to the extent of any such subsidy excluded from gross income. Declares that this tax exclusion does not apply to any payment to a qualified cogeneration facility or qualifying small power production facility under PURPA. Subtitle E: Automobiles and Trucks - Safe and Efficient Vehicles Incentives Act of 1991 - Establishes: (1) taxes on the sale of each new motor vehicle whose fuel economy is less, or whose composite safety factor is less, than the respective sales-weighted average fuel economy or average composite safety factor of all new motor vehicles within the same class; and (2) rebates for the purchase of each new motor vehicle whose fuel economy is greater, or whose composite safety factor is greater, than the respective sales-weighted average fuel economy or composite safety factor of all new motor vehicles within the same class. Sets forth formulae for the calculation of such taxes and rebates. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to publish in the Federal Register and notify each manufacturer or importer of such formulae annually. Requires labeling boldly displaying such taxes and rebates on all vehicles for sale. Provides for collection of taxes and disbursement of rebates. Sets forth formulae for the calculation of sales-weighted average fuel economies and composite safety factors. Subtitle F: Domestic Oil and Gas Production Incentives - Removes the net income limitation on the percentage depletion allowance deduction for oil and gas wells. Allows a tax credit for up to ten percent of the qualified cost of each barrel of crude oil produced from an economically marginal well (including certain stripper wells) or recovered through a tertiary recovery method. Provides for carryback or carryforward of unused credit. Allows a tax credit for specified percentages of the taxpayer's qualified investment in crude oil and natural gas exploration and development wells. Eliminates intangible drilling costs as tax preference items. Allows deduction of specified drilling costs from the Alternative Minimum Tax calculation. Repeals the taxable income limitation on the percentage depletion allowance. Allows the carryforward of excess depletion allowances. Repeals a specified Revenue Ruling with respect to mineral sharing arrangements. Allows the nonconventional source fuels credit to offset the Alternative Minimum Tax liability. Repeals the January 1, 1993, termination date for such credit, thus making it permanent.

National Energy Efficiency and Development Act of 1991

United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1991

National Energy Efficiency and Development Act of 1991 - Title I: Energy Policy Initiatives - Subtitle A: National Energy Strategy - Requires the first National Energy Policy Plan submitted by the President to the Congress after enactment of this Act to include a least-cost energy strategy prepared by the Secretary of Energy (Secretary). Requires such strategy to contain: (1) a comprehensive inventory of available energy and energy efficiency resources and their costs; (2) a proposed two-year program for assuring adequate supplies of such resources, along with identification of actions possible under existing Federal law; and (3) recommendations for any new Federal authority needed to achieve the purposes of this Act. Subtitle B: Director of Climate Protection - Directs the Secretary to appoint a Director of Climate Protection to: (1) serve as the Secretary's representative for interagency and multilateral policy discussions of global climate change; (2) monitor domestic and international policies for their effects on the generation of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases; and (3) have the authority to participate in departmental planning activities. Title II: Measures to Improve the Energy Efficiency of the United States Economy - Subtitle A: Research and Development - Amends the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technology Competitiveness Act of 1989 (REEETCA) to authorize appropriations for energy efficiency research and development. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress triennially on energy efficiency policy options. Subtitle B: Industrial Energy Efficiency - Directs the Secretary to pursue a research and development program and enter into cost-shared joint ventures to improve efficiency in energy intensive industries (such as steel, chemicals, glass, paper, and aluminum). Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to develop, directly or by contract, a voluntary national program to devise standards for energy audits and the installation of insulation in industrial facilities. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to establish (and report to the Congress on): (1) a reporting system for industry to supply annual energy use and energy intensity information; and (2) voluntary energy efficiency improvement targets for energy-intensive industries. Directs the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration to expand the scope and frequency of the data it collects on energy use in the United States; and (2) report annually to the Congress on such data. Subtitle C: Efficiency in Commercial and Residential Buildings and Other Products - Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act (NECPA) to direct the Secretary to establish a program to provide technical assistance to States and localities in updating energy efficiency provisions of residential and commercial building codes. Requires each State or locality, by four years after enactment of this Act, to certify that it has reviewed and updated such codes so that they meet or exceed the requirements of the Council of American Building Officials' Model Energy Code (CABO-MEC). Requires each State or locality, by three years after such certification, to further certify that all new residential commercial buildings built during such period meet updated code requirements. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to promulgate procedural guidelines for, and provide technical assistance to, States which adopt residential energy efficiency rating systems. Requires all residential buildings, by five years after enactment of this Act, to have numerical energy efficiency ratings. Requires disclosure to potential purchasers of such ratings. Makes any residential building which fails to meet CABO-MEC standards ineligible for Federal mortgage financing programs. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to advise the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development on energy standards for manufactured housing; and (2) test the performance and cost-effectiveness of manufactured housing built to such standards. Creates in the Treasury the State Energy Efficiency Project Fund to provide for grants to States to undertake energy efficiency projects in State- and locally-owned buildings. Requires an annual report to the Congress on Fund activities. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to provide financial and technical assistance to support the voluntary development of a national window rating program to establish energy efficiency ratings for windows and window systems. Requires the Secretary to establish such a system if no voluntary program succeeds within two years after enactment of this Act. Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prescribe labeling rules for such rating system, unless labeling is not technologically or economically feasible, or is not likely to help consumers make purchasing decisions. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to set minimum energy efficiency standards for certain types of lamps, appliance motors, commercial air conditioning and heating equipment, utility distribution transformers, showerheads, and commercial office equipment. Requires: (1) the FTC to prescribe labeling for such products; and (2) manufacturers to provide labeling meeting FTC requirements. Provides for enforcement of such labeling requirements. Directs the Secretary to establish, for a five-year period, a program to train and certify energy efficiency contractors. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Federal Energy Management - Amends NECPA to require all Federal agencies to install all energy conservation measures which are cost-effective on a ten-year life-cycle cost basis. Permits such agencies to accept gas or electric utility incentives designed to encourage cost-effective energy demand management or energy conservation. Requires the Secretary to develop a simplified method of contracting for shared energy savings contract services that will reduce the administrative effort and cost on the part of the government as well as the private customers. Directs the Administrator of the General Services Administration to analyze significant energy consuming products in the Federal Supply Schedule and develop and implement a method to identify products which offer cost-effective opportunities to reduce energy consumption and costs. Directs the Secretary to establish guidelines for the transfer of up to $1,000,000 per project to encourage Federal agencies to undertake energy efficiency projects in federally owned facilities. Requires annual reports to the Congress on such projects. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to establish a financial bonus program to reward outstanding facility energy managers in Federal agencies. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to direct the President to promulgate rules prohibiting each executive agency from acquiring any automobile with a fuel economy that is not greater than the average fuel economy for that particular model type for the previous model year. Directs the Secretary to submit to the Congress, and update every two years, a plan for demonstrating energy efficiency and renewable energy resource technologies in federally owned facilities. Amends REEETCA to require the Secretary to finance at least one joint venture for the demonstration of fuel cell technology in Federal facilities in order to accelerate commercial application of such cells. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to study and report on the use of Federal purchasing power to encourage the development of more energy efficient products. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle E: Utility Energy Efficiency - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) to direct States to require State-regulated utilities to employ a planning and selection process for new energy resources that evaluates the full range of existing and incremental resources in order to meet expected future demand at the lowest possible cost to society. Declares that the rates allowed to be charged by a State-regulated utility shall be such that: (1) the utility's investments in and expenditures for energy conservation, energy efficiency resources, and other demand-side management resources are at least as profitable as those for the construction of new generating equipment or the acquisition of other new supply-side resources; and (2) the utility is encouraged to make investments and expenditures for all cost-effective improvements in the energy efficiency of power generation and supply. States that the full cost of an energy resource shall include specified external costs associated with its use. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the Congress and certify which States have complied with such requirements. Declares that, beginning four years after enactment of this Act, energy efficiency measures shall be considered as "qualifying facilities" eligible for certain PURPA programs in States that have not adopted procedures to meet the requirements of this Act. Directs the Western, Southwestern, and Southeastern Power Marketing Administrations (PMAs) to ensure that they and their customer utilities acquire all cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy resources. Requires each long-term firm power contract between a PMA and a customer utility to require the utility to develop and implement an energy efficiency and renewable energy program. Requires such PMAs to implement programs directly to acquire cost-effective conservation and renewable energy resources in the region in conjunction with such utility programs. Requires the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to: (1) develop a similar least-cost plan; and (2) execute similar long-term firm contracts with its customer utilities. Requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to: (1) develop an office of energy efficiency to coordinate FERC's energy conservation and efficiency activities; and (2) establish procedures for expedited review of any interstate power sales conducted in accordance with the purchasing utility's least-cost energy plan. Subtitle F: Used Oil Energy Production Act of 1991 - Used Oil Energy Production Act of 1991 - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to require a producer or importer of 100,000 gallons or more per year of lubricating oil to increase annually the percentage (set by the Secretary) of recycled oil either: (1) by refining, rerefining, or reprocessing it into petroleum products (including fuels); or (2) by purchasing certain oil recycling credits. Exempts certain facilities from such requirements. Requires annual reports to specified congressional committees. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) not to list or identify used oil as a hazardous waste for certain purposes. Subtitle G: Tire Recycling Incentives - Tire Recycling Incentives Act - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require tire producers or importers to increase annually the percentage (set by the EPA Administrator) of scrap tires recycled either: (1) by retreading or processing new tire products; or (2) by purchasing certain tire recycling credits. Requires the EPA Administrator to report to the Congress on scrap tire recycling. Sets forth civil penalties for violations of this subtitle. Directs the EPA Administrator to: (1) publish in the Federal Register minimum requirements for State scrap tire management and procedures under which such requirements shall be incorporated into State solid waste management plans; (2) provide for expedited review of State plans which include specified scrap tire recycling measures; and (3) establish standards to minimize health and environmental damages from the improper disposal and storage of tires. Requires such standards to provide for: (1) bans on the disposal of tires in land disposal facilities and on the intentional infliction of damage on tire casings to preclude casings from being used in retreading; (2) State inventories of scrap tire collection facilities, tire advisory boards, and scrap tire abatement plans; (3) agreements between facilities which distribute more than 1,000 tires annually and licensed tire haulers for the exclusive hauling of scrap tires by licensed haulers; and (4) prohibitions on the transportation of scrap tires by transporters without transportation identification numbers, with specified exceptions. Directs the Administrator to publish guidelines for States for the issuance of permits to scrap tire collection facilities. Requires the Administrator to promulgate guidelines for States for facility emergency plans. Requires facility owners or operators to notify the State immediately in the event of an emergency with potential offsite impacts. Requires all regulated facilities to have appropriate financial responsibility or insurance to maintain the facility for at least five years after closure. Exempts specified persons from permit requirements. Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations for the State to use to issue permits to scrap tire recycling facilities. Requires the Secretary of the Interior, together with the heads of agencies responsible for public lands or military installations, to implement a plan to remediate tire piles. Directs the Administrator to develop a guideline for procuring items that make use of scrap or used tires. Requires Federal departments, if the Administrator fails to promulgate such guideline, to procure items containing at least 75 percent of post-consumer scrap rubber from scrap tires if the rubber is available within a reasonable amount of time at a reasonable price and meets performance standards. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, to publish standards to determine the life-cycle costs and benefits of items that make use of rubber from scrap or used tires as compared with items that make use of rubber from other sources. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to determine and report to the Congress on: (1) direct worker environmental health effects relating to asphalt made from crumb rubber from scrap tires; (2) the recyclability of asphalt road surfaces made from crumb rubber from scrap tires; and (3) the estimated life of existing asphalt road surfaces made from crumb rubber from scrap tires. Permits States to: (1) enter into consent agreements with owners and operators of scrap tire collection facilities for proper management and abatement of scrap tires; and (2) levy fines on facilities for noncompliance. Imposes fines on tire facilities and landfills for specified violations of this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle H: Insular Areas Energy Assistance - Authorizes the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) to grant financial assistance to Insular area governments to carry out energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Measures to Promote the Use of Renewable Energy - Subtitle A: Renewable Energy Technology Transfers - Amends REEETCA to authorize appropriations for: (1) renewable energy research and development programs; (2) State conservation programs; (3) State research and applied technology transfer programs; (4) Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory information and publications; (5) four pilot programs to demonstrate model technology transfer and design assistance programs; (6) an advanced research and development information computer network; and (7) at least ten photovoltaic demonstration projects of at least ten megawatts in size to supply electric power to a power grid. Directs the Secretary to develop a Strategic Technology Transfer Implementation Plan for the national and international transfer of renewable energy and energy efficiency technology information. Amends the Federal Power Act and PURPA to: (1) make small biomass and hydropower production facilities specifically "eligible facilities" under such Act; and (2) define "alternative power production facility." Subtitle B: Amendments to the Committee on Renewable Energy Commerce and Trade (CORECT) - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to require the Committee on Renewable Energy Commerce and Trade (CORECT) to promote the development and application in lesser-developed countries of specified renewable energy and energy efficiency resource technologies. Authorizes CORECT to establish renewable energy industry outreach offices in the Pacific Rim and in the Caribbean Basin. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on the range of energy efficient and renewable energy technologies available to meet the energy needs of lesser-developed countries. Authorizes appropriations. Earmarks funds to assist U.S. manufacturers of renewable energy and energy efficient technology in exporting their products to lesser-developed countries. Title IV: Measures to Promote the Use of Alternative Motor Vehicles and Fuels - Subtitle A: Alternative Transportation Fuels - Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements and joint ventures to demonstrate the feasibility (including safety of specific vehicle design) of using natural gas or other alternative fuels for mass transit. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to establish a program to provide financial assistance to encourage the development and commercialization of natural gas and other alternative fuel use in passenger fleets, light duty trucks, and heavy duty trucks. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish a training and certification program for technicians who are responsible for vehicle installation of equipment that converts gasoline or diesel-fueled vehicles to the capability to run on natural gas or other alternative fuels. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of Energy to carry out a program of research, development, and demonstration on techniques related to improving natural gas and other alternative fueled vehicle technology. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to: (1) institute an awareness program to educate potential purchasers of the costs, emission characteristics, and other features of alternative fuels; (2) report to the Congress on Federal purchasing policies which inhibit Federal purchase of alternative-fueled vehicles; (3) report to the Congress on how Federal, State, and local traffic control measures could promote the use of alternative-fueled vehicles; and (4) develop a plan for establishment of Federal and State trust funds to provide loans to convert vehicles to operate on alternative fuels or purchase alternative-fueled vehicles. Amends the Natural Gas Act to exclude the sale of natural gas as a vehicle fuel from the price regulation jurisdiction of FERC. Declares that a company shall not be considered a natural gas company under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 solely because it distributes or sells natural gas as a motor vehicle fuel. Exempts from State regulation as a public utility (unless otherwise primarily engaged in business as such) any person or entity transporting or selling alternative vehicle fuels. Directs the Secretary to establish a fund to provide 50 percent of the cost of establishing offices of alternative fuels in State governments, as well as alternative fuel programs launched by such offices. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to study whether the use of alternative fuels in nonroad vehicles and engines would contribute substantially to reduced reliance on imported energy sources. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations requiring, where feasible, nonroad vehicles and engines to use alternative fuels if such study concludes that such use could reduce reliance on imported energy sources by ten percent nationwide within a ten-year period. Subtitle B: Alternative Fuel Fleet Requirement - Requires every person who owns, operates, leases, or otherwise controls a motor vehicle fleet of specified composition in a metropolitan statistical area of over 250,000 population which is also an EPA-classified nonattainment area to increase the percentage of alternative-fueled vehicles in such fleet by specified increments annually until it reaches 90 percent in the year 2000. Directs the Secretary to allocate credits to covered persons who exceed the required quota of alternative-fueled vehicles. Establishes administrative and civil penalties (together with appropriate enforcement procedures) for violations of this subtitle. Subtitle C: Electric Vehicle Technology Development and Demonstration - Electric Vehicle Technology Development and Demonstration Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary to identify EPA-classified nonattainment areas in the United States in which the use of conventionally fueled vehicles contributes significantly to that nonattainment and in which the use of electric vehicles could contribute to attainment of applicable National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Directs the Secretary, after identifying such areas, to select manufacturers to sell and service electric vehicles in such areas. Requires: (1) the selected manufacturers to offer electric vehicle purchasers certain discounts; and (2) the Secretary to reimburse them the amount of such discounts. Requires annual reports to the Congress on such program. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Transportation and Energy Efficiency - Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to establish average fuel economy standards for passenger automobiles and light trucks for model years 1996 and thereafter. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to modify such standards, according to a specified procedure. Requires the EPA Administrator to report annually to specified congressional committees on a study which: (1) examines the accuracy of fuel economy testing of passenger automobiles and light trucks; and (2) assesses the extent to which fuel economy deteriorates during the lifetime of such vehicles. Directs the Secretary of Energy to distribute at least 100 explanatory booklets each year to every dealer and additional numbers if requested. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to provide for a review and report to the Congress by the National Academy of Sciences on the current state of research and development in light truck fuel economy and passenger automobile fuel economy and an assessment of the potential for improving the fuel efficiency and reducing the energy consumption of passenger automobiles and light trucks. Requires the Secretary of Energy to study and report to the Congress on the future options for regulating the fuel efficiency of such vehicles beyond 2001. Provides for the judicial review of average fuel economy standards (including modifications thereof) established under this Act. Doubles the civil penalty for repeated violations of the fuel economy standard. Requires such penalty to be adjusted for inflation. Title VI: Measures to Displace Petroleum as a Vehicle Fuel - Replacement Fuels and Alternative Fuels Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) to: (1) establish a program to promote the development and use of domestic-produced replacement and alternative fuels; and (2) prescribe the minimum percentage of domestic-produced replacement and alternative fuels on an energy equivalent basis, to be sold in calendar years 1996 and 1997 by any refiner for use as a motor fuel. Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to authorize the Secretary of Transportation, if the average fuel economy standard for passenger automobiles is increased above 27.5 miles per gallon for any model year, to increase the maximum increase in average fuel economy for a manufacturer attributable to dual energy and natural gas dual energy automobiles until alternative and replacement motor fuel sales indicate that such fuels are displacing conventional petroleum as a motor fuel. Sets forth civil penalties for violation of this Act and a procedure for appealing such penalties. Authorizes appropriations. Title VII: Measures to Promote the Use of Natural Gas - Directs the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) to conduct a program of research, development, and demonstration of cofiring (of natural gas and pulverized coal), including gas reburn technologies (which reduce nitrogen oxide emissions), in electric utility units and large industrial boilers in order to determine optimal natural gas injection levels for both environmental and operational benefits. Provides for financial assistance to or cooperative agreements with public or private entities under such program. Sets the Federal shares of costs at 50 percent. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to expand the program for research, development, and demonstration for natural gas and electric heating and cooling technologies for residential and commercial buildings. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Natural Gas Act to direct FERC to develop an incentive formula for rates and charges for the sale or transportation of natural gas. Sets as the development goals for such formula: (1) allowing natural gas companies to earn a fair rate of return; (2) providing proper price signals to the marketplace; and (3) rewarding pipeline efficiency. Repeals FERC's authority to delay decision-making on ratemaking orders beyond the 30-day rehearing requirement without cause. Requires FERC to take final action on a rehearing application within 60 days after it is filed. Permits natural gas companies to file for FERC approval joint rates negotiated by them for the transportation of natural gas through each of their pipelines in sequence on the way to market. Exempts such rates from coverage under specified antitrust law. Declares that pipeline sales rates shall be presumed just and reasonable if workably competitive alternatives exist for such sales. Sets forth conditions under which new natural gas company services (where competitive, certified services already exist) do not need a certificate of public convenience and necessity. Amends the Natural Gas Act to provide automatic abandonment of the sales obligation upon contract expiration, subject to a pipeline's right to extend. Declares that any fixed charge paid by an interstate pipeline to a first seller for gas supply security shall be recoverable on an "as-billed basis" in the pipeline's demand charges, unless FERC determines, after a hearing, that the pipeline does not offer a reasonably competitive alternative to its sales service. Requires the Secretary to condition the approval of any natural gas import application upon FERC action to redress any anti-competitive impacts on U.S. gas producers, including competitive disparities resulting from different rate designs applied to the transportation of domestic gas and imported supplies. Directs the Secretary to expand and continue, through joint ventures, a program of research, development, and demonstration on techniques to increase: (1) intensive recovery of natural gas in place in discovered reservoirs or formations; and (2) economic recovery from nonconventional sources, including tight formation, Devonian shales, and geopressurized brines. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1968 to exempt from Natural Gas Act coverage and FERC jurisdiction the construction or operation of any facilities if the natural gas company constructing such facilities: (1) holds a certificate pursuant to which it has agreed to provide open access transportation service; and (2) the company agrees that such certificate shall apply to any transportation service through the new facilities. Requires all such facilities to be constructed in accordance with applicable environmental protection and safety laws and regulations, except the National Environmental Policy Act of 1978 (NEPA). Directs FERC to create an environmental review process under NEPA providing that pipeline construction projects which are confined to existing utility or highway corridors, and do not involve construction in high value wetland areas, shall be afforded a rebuttable presumption of no significant impact. Makes FERC the lead agency with primary authority for compliance with NEPA in any case where FERC authorization of the construction or operation of facilities or projects under the Natural Gas Act may be deemed a major Federal action. Amends the Natural Gas Act to grant FERC the power to issue certificates of public convenience and necessity in a two-phase process: (1) the first phase, which shall constitute a final order, involving all matters requiring FERC review and approval except environmental matters; and (2) the second phase, addressing required environmental matters only. Directs FERC to revise its environmental review procedures to allow pipelines to submit Environmental Assessments (EAs) at the time of filing for approval of proposed facilities, using general standards specified by FERC. Requires the revised procedures to presume EAs valid subject to FERC review for compliance with its own standards. Requires FERC to permit a certificate applicant to elect a contractor, consultant or other FERC designee to prepare the environmental impact statement at the applicant's expense. Requires FERC to develop procedures to ensure against conflicts of interest in such contracting. Directs the Office of Technology Assessment to study and report to the Congress on: (1) the global trends of production, usage, and transportation of natural gas and the ways in which these trends can affect domestic energy policy and the U.S. natural gas industry; and (2) State and locally imposed institutional and regulatory barriers to increase national natural gas usage.

Einschätzung der amerikanischen Klimapolitik durch PStSekr Schmidbauer (BMU) (G-SIG: 12050234)

Germany · German Bundestag · 1 March 1991

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States should take a leadership position in calling for worldwide carbon dioxide emissions reductions at the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on a Framework Convention on Climate Change to be held in Washington, D.C. on February 4th - 14th, 1991.

United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1991

Expresses the sense of the Senate that it should be U.S. policy to specify reductions in the national emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases by a date certain and to assume a leadership position in negotiating an international climate protection treaty that contains specific commitments to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, including: (1) achieving agreements by industrialized nations to reduce current carbon dioxide emissions, by developing nations to limit their growth in emissions from fossil fuel combustion, and by all countries to limit the release of carbon dioxide due to deforestation and to take steps to cut emissions of other greenhouse gases; (2) establishing an international fund to help developing countries achieve such objectives, a mechanism for continuing international cooperation for development of efficient policies for future emissions reductions, and institutional mechanisms to facilitate cooperation in research, observation, and analysis, information exchange and reporting, technology development and transfer, and technical training and public education. Urges the United States to support, at the February 1991 negotiating session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for a Framework Convention on Climate Change, the establishment of a process that will allow negotiations of substantive provisions to accomplish each of these elements for inclusion in the convention that is to be concluded in June 1992.

National Energy Policy Act of 1991

United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1991

National Energy Policy Act of 1991 - Establishes as national goals: (1) the identification of an appropriate mix of policies that have the potential of stabilizing and reducing the generation of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the United States; and (2) the promotion of international cooperation in addressing potential global climate change through the establishment of an international framework convention on global climate change. Title I: Energy Policy Initiatives - Mandates that the first National Energy Policy Plan submitted by the President to the Congress (and each subsequent Plan) include a least-cost energy strategy prepared by the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary). Prescribes strategy guidelines. Amends the Energy Security Act to repeal energy target provisions. Directs the Secretary to appoint a Director of Climate Protection within the Department of Energy to participate in: (1) global climate change policy considerations; and (2) least-cost energy strategy considerations. Requires the Director to contract with the National Research Council for the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering (the Academies) to review and report to the Congress on trends in greenhouse gases and global climate change. Requires a report to the Office and the Congress. Requires the President to transmit to the Congress his assessment of such report. Title II: Energy Efficiency Initiatives - Requires the Secretary to: (1) submit periodic evaluations to the Congress regarding energy efficiency policy options necessary to produce certain percentage decreases in U.S. energy use; (2) pursue a research and development program intended to improve energy efficiency and productivity in energy-intensive industries and industrial processes; (3) undertake joint ventures to encourage commercialization of technologies developed from such program; and (4) conduct competitive solicitation for joint venture proposals and provide financial assistance to such ventures. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 through 1994. Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act (NECPA) to set a deadline by which each Federal agency must: (1) install energy conservation measures in its Federal buildings with specified payback periods; (2) submit a list of projects to the Secretary which meets such payback criterion and indicates total energy and cost savings involved; and (3) have substantially completed at least 25 percent of such projects as would account for 25 percent of total energy savings. Directs the Secretary to develop guidelines in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Administrator of the General Services Administration with respect to the selection of energy service contractors. Sets forth a deadline by which: (1) each Federal agency must consider the energy efficiency of all potential building space at the time of lease renewal or entering into a lease; and (2) all federally owned and leased space under construction must meet model Federal building standards for energy efficiency. Amends the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technology Competitiveness Act of 1989 to direct the Secretary to solicit proposals and provide financial assistance for joint ventures in fuel cell technology to demonstrate critical enabling technologies to accelerate commercialization of electric energy production from fuel cells. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the NECPA to repeal the prohibition against the supply and installation of residential energy conservation measures by utilities. Directs the Secretary to provide financial assistance to support a voluntary, national window rating program to develop window energy ratings and labels. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to prescribe labeling rules for windows and window systems. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 through 1994. Directs the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration to report to the Congress regarding the acquisition of energy efficiency information. Requires the Secretary to: (1) submit a feasibility report to the Congress regarding the mandatory use in Federal facilities of compact fluorescent lamps instead of incandescent lamps; and (2) submit a plan to the Congress for the demonstration in Federal facilities of energy efficiency technologies that are ready for commercial demonstration but are not widely available commercially. Amends the NECPA to direct the Secretary to: (1) promulgate procedural guidelines enabling the States to assign energy efficiency ratings to residential buildings; and (2) establish a technical assistance program to State and local governments adopting energy efficiency rating systems or building codes. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) to mandate that State regulatory commissions consider a least-cost ratemaking standard under which utility investments in demand-side measures shall be as profitable as investments in new generation facilities (thus creating an economic incentive for utilities to promote residential energy conservation measures). Requires the Secretary to report to the President and the Congress an evaluation of: (1) the results of least-cost planning methodologies implemented by electric utilities; and (2) the extent to which ratemaking methodologies implementing least-cost planning take into account the impact of such measures on electric utilities' profitability. Amends the NECPA to require the Secretary to: (1) conduct a fuel cell systems demonstration program in Federal buildings; and (2) report to the Congress on the program's implementation. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 through 1994. Title III: Energy Research and Development Initiatives - Requires the Secretary to: (1) consider specified criteria when establishing research and development priorities; (2) biennially submit to the Congress a management plan for research, development, and commercialization of energy technologies; (3) implement an engine and vehicle fuel research and demonstration program on systems that offer a potential reduction in the generation of greenhouse gases, and that improve transportation energy uses; and (4) emphasize advanced gas turbine cycles (and their incorporation of energy efficient materials for high efficiency electric and automotive power generation) when implementing a high efficiency heat engine research, demonstration, and commercialization program. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 through 1994. Directs the Secretary to conduct a natural gas cofiring research, development, and demonstration program with respect to electric utility units and large industrial boilers. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to establish within the Department of Energy a program to develop technologies to a point where private industry will undertake further commercial development. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to conduct demonstration programs regarding: (1) magnetic and inertial confinement fusion for the production of electricity; and (2) coal-based technologies. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 through 1994. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements or joint ventures with certain urban area transit authorities to demonstrate the feasibility of using natural gas or other alternative mass transit fuels. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 through 1994. Directs the Secretary to implement and finance a fleet vehicle program for the commercialization of natural gas and other alternative fuels. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 through 1994. Directs the Secretary of Labor to implement a technician training and certification program for the conversion of conventionally fueled vehicles to natural gas and alternative fuels. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 through 1994. Directs the Secretary to conduct or expand the following demonstration programs: (1) specified aspects of improved natural gas and alternative fueled vehicle technology; (2) increased availability of natural gas from specified sources; (3) natural gas and electric heating and cooling technologies for residential and commercial buildings; and (4) electric vehicle and battery technology. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 through 1994. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress the results of an assessment of the statutory, economic, and regulatory barriers to expanded hydroelectric capacity development at existing dams. Electric Vehicle Technology Development and Demonstration Act of 1991 - Requires the Secretary to: (1) identify by a specified deadline the nonattainment areas in which conventionally fueled vehicles contribute significantly to that nonattainment and in which the use of electric vehicles could contribute to attainment of National Air Quality Standards; (2) designate nonattainment areas eligible to participate in a specified electric vehicle research and demonstration program; (3) report to the Congress on the program's status; and (4) report to the Congress on the extent to which nuclear fission generated electricity can safely and reliably supply electricity and reduce greenhouse gases. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 through 1994. Title IV: Miscellaneous - Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on: (1) specified aspects of methane generation; (2) measures that could reduce atmospheric methane concentrations from sources within the United States; and (3) methane emissions from countries other than the United States. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to establish an interagency working group known as the Committee on Renewable Energy Commerce and Trade (CORECT) to recommend coordinated Federal actions and programs promoting the export of U.S. renewable energy and energy efficiency products and technologies. Authorizes the Committee to establish renewable energy industry information outreach offices in the Pacific Rim and the Caribbean Basin. Mandates that a program established by the Secretary of Commerce for enhancing commerce in renewable energy technologies shall provide for an information program regarding: (1) the specific energy technology needs of lesser developed countries; (2) the technical and economic competitiveness of various renewable energy and energy efficiency resources technologies; and (3) the status of ongoing technology assistance programs. Requires the Secretary to report biennially to the Congress concerning the range of environmental and energy technologies necessary to meet the energy needs of developing countries. Mandates that a certain management plan required under the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technology Competitiveness Act of 1989 include a five-year implementation plan for joint ventures with U.S. manufacturers (including assistance to smaller manufacturers) for the development and marketing of energy efficient and renewable energy technologies in key lesser-developed countries. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 through 1994. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress the results of a comparative fuel cycle cost analysis with respect to the United States, Europe, and Asia. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 to establish a secretariat within the Department of State to prepare for the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. Title V: Natural Resource Policy - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of ecological and environmental resources that could be affected by global climate change. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to report to the President and the Congress on the feasibility of a National Reforestation Initiative. Directs the Secretary of Energy to transmit to the Congress a study of the potential for reducing carbon dioxide emissions by undertaking targeted urban tree and vegetative plantings, including landscaping and the use of natural windbreaks designed to reduce the air conditioning and heating needs of buildings.

World Environment Policy Act of 1991

United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991

World Environment Policy Act of 1991 - Title I: Establishment of the Council on World Environmental Policy - Requires the President to establish a Council on World Environmental Policy to replace the existing Council on Environmental Quality and to be chaired by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Outlines the duties of the Council, including: (1) the submission to the Congress of a Strategic Plan for coordinating policy responses to world environmental problems; (2) the advisement of the President and the Congress on the effects of U.S. policy on such problems; (3) the publication of an annual report detailing the Nation's progress toward meeting the goals of the Plan; and (4) the implementation by all Federal agencies of criteria to minimize the impact of Federal policies on the world environment. Authorizes the President to appoint a United States Environmental Negotiator to represent the United States in negotiations relevant to global environmental issues. Title II: Research, Development of Policy Responses, and Promotion of Public Awareness - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the United States should participate in and support the International Geosphere-Biosphere Program (IGBP); and (2) the President should periodically, but not less than biennially, transmit to the Congress a plan for U.S. participation in such program. Declares that: (1) the Antarctic region is a critical area in the study of global change; and (2) the United States should support the development of an Antarctic research component to IGBP to include specific recommendations of the ad hoc Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research of the International Council of Scientific Unions. Expresses the sense of the Congress with respect to the preservation of Antarctica as a global ecological commons. States that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Mission to Planet Earth initiative should enjoy public and congressional support. Expresses the sense of the Congress concerning steps to be taken by the United States with respect to global and domestic environmental issues. Requires the Council to direct Federal agencies to identify existing technologies and develop new technologies to mitigate the effects of global warming. Establishes an Advisory Committee on Response Strategies to provide scientific and technical advice to the Council and the Committee on Earth and Environmental Sciences. Requires the Council to collaborate with other industrialized countries to establish an international research effort to assess and develop environmentally benign response strategies to global warming. Directs the United States Environmental Negotiator to devise funding mechanisms to ensure that the technologies to implement the response strategies are available when necessitated by climate change. Title III: Carbon Dioxide Offsets Policy Enabling Act - C02 Offsets Policy Enabling Act of 1991 - Amends the Clean Air Act to prohibit new major sources of carbon dioxide from operating without a permit issued under this Act. Requires new stationary sources to: (1) obtain certified carbon dioxide credits; (2) demonstrate possession of certified credits equal to one year's expected carbon dioxide emissions to the permitting authority before commencing operation; and (3) deposit annually with the permitting authority sufficient credits to compensate for the year's carbon dioxide emissions. Provides that the receipt by the permitting authority of carbon dioxide offset credits shall be a condition of any permit. Directs new sources that use biomass as a fuel to obtain credits sufficient to offset only the fossil fuel used in production of the biomass. Requires new sources that use trees as fuel to obtain credits for all carbon dioxide emissions. Directs new major sources emitting excess carbon dioxide to obtain credits as soon as practicable and to pay a penalty of $250 per ton of excess carbon dioxide. Adjusts such penalty annually according to percentage changes in the Consumer Price Index. Authorizes a permitting authority to certify carbon dioxide reductions as offset credits if the person providing the reduction or purchasing the credit is in compliance with regulations under this Act. Directs the Administrator of the EPA to establish regulations concerning the certification of stationary source carbon dioxide reductions. Requires the Administrator to promulgate rules establishing carbon dioxide fixation rates. Directs the Administrator to promulgate rules concerning the certification of: (1) carbon dioxide credits from fleet vehicle fuel efficiency improvements beyond the applicable Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency requirement; (2) carbon dioxide credits from appliance efficiency improvements beyond the minimum required under the National Appliance Energy Conservation Amendments; (3) carbon dioxide credits for energy conservation investments; (4) carbon dioxide equivalent credits from the capture and use of coalbed methane; (5) carbon dioxide credits created by construction of cogeneration facilities; and (6) carbon dioxide equivalent credit for the capture and destruction of chlorofluorocarbons. Requires the Administrator to establish regulations identifying the carbon dioxide credits to be granted by fuel switches to less carbon intensive fuels for mobile sources. Authorizes the Administrator to provide for expedited certification of carbon dioxide credits. Requires the Administrator to establish a baseline for sources subject to certification, to be set according to actual performances of such sources during 1990. Authorizes reductions in air pollutants that contribute to global warming to be certified as carbon dioxide offset credits if such reductions meet regulation criteria, except that the amounts of such credits may be reduced or increased based on radiative differences and atmospheric lifetime to reflect the global warming potential of such air pollutants. Requires the Administrator to establish the minimum elements of a permit program to be administered by any air pollution control agency. Requires State Governors to submit permit programs to the Administrator for approval. Directs the Administrator to enforce programs for States failing to make such submission. Requires permits to set forth inspection, entry, monitoring, compliance certification, and reporting requirements. Directs the Administrator to create a National Carbon Dioxide Offset Bank to ensure adequate supplies of carbon dioxide offsets and to create procedures for the tracking and retirement of used credits. Title IV: Phase-Out of Anthropogenic Emissions that Degrade the Environment - Expresses the sense of the Senate that it should be U.S. policy to: (1) urge the parties to the Montreal Protocol to meet on an annual basis and to amend the Protocol in light of scientific and technical developments; (2) join countries committed to phasing out domestic production of chlorofluorocarbons no later than 1997; (3) call for an amendment to the Protocol for phasing out hydrochlorofluorocarbons by 2030; (4) accelerate development and implementation of safe alternatives to ozone-depleting substances; and (5) contribute to efforts to make financial, scientific, and technical resources available to the developing world to enable developing countries to implement post-ozone depleting technologies. Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require State solid waste management plans to provide for methods or technologies to minimize emissions of methane and other gases during operation and after closure. Provides that plans that fail to meet such requirements shall be disapproved. Requires all facilities subject to subtitle D of the Solid Waste Disposal Act to be designed and operated, by January 1, 1995, to minimize emissions of methane and other pollutants. Requires: (1) all sewage treatment facilities constructed after January 1, 1992, to be designed and operated to minimize methane emissions; and (2) existing facilities to be modified before January 1, 1995, to minimize emissions of methane and other pollutants. Prohibits mass releases and flaring of methane after 1995. Title V: Fuel Economy - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prescribe a gas guzzler tax schedule applicable to 1990 and later model year automobiles. Sets forth a tax credit schedule for the purchase of certain fuel efficient passenger vehicles. Title VI: Waste Minimization and Recycling - National Recyclable Commodities Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a Bureau of Recyclable Commodities within the Department of Commerce to promote the use of recovered materials diverted from solid waste. Requires the Secretary to gather and publish statistics on solid waste and specified recovered materials. Provides for the annual updating of such statistics. Directs the Secretary to: (1) designate between six and ten multi-State regions for the purpose of regional data collection; and (2) collect and compile statistics for such regions. Requires the Secretary to revise the standard industrial classification system, as necessary, to facilitate the collection of statistics and other information on recycling and related activities. Requires the Secretary to identify and, to the extent practicable, standardize: (1) the types and grades of recovered and compostable materials covered under this Act that qualify as recovered materials; (2) the technical specifications applied to the use of recyclable commodities as raw materials or feedstocks for recycling; and (3) the test methods used in determining whether materials meet specifications that apply to each commodity. Provides for the periodic revision of types and grades, as necessary. Authorizes the Secretary to assign solid waste materials to multiple types and grades. Requires the periodic revision of specifications and test methods to ensure continuing conformance to industry recycling standards. Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory panel to support the identification of specifications and test methods for recyclable materials. Permits industries or local governments engaged in recycling activities to petition the Secretary for the revision of grades, specifications, or test methods to prevent or minimize interference with current recycling techniques. Requires the Secretary to issue a recycling advisory to potentially affected parties if a physical or chemical property or contaminant of a recyclable material is not adequately addressed by specifications or test methods and is interfering with: (1) current recycling techniques; (2) marketing of recycled goods manufactured from the material; or (3) handling of the recyclable material prior to recycling. Makes such advisories available to the public. Directs the Secretary to make reports available to the public, at least on a quarterly basis, on prevailing market prices for recovered materials. Requires the Secretary to make reports available to the public, at least annually, on: (1) the prevailing national recycling rate for each recovered material; and (2) the technical and economic factors that may influence future foreign and domestic markets for recovered materials. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on the potential for expanded recycling of recoverable paper and paperboard, lead scrap, rubber scrap, plastic scrap, aluminum scrap, ferrous and nonferrous scrap, waste glass, and yard and food waste. Requires the Secretary to promulgate regulations requiring labeling on the recyclability and composition of nondurable goods. Sets deadlines for the promulgation of such regulations, requiring regulations for all covered items within four years of this Act's enactment. Directs the Secretary to take specified factors into consideration when determining the recyclability of an item. Sets forth label requirements. Authorizes the Secretary to establish an alternative label requirement if such alternative conveys information equivalent to labels required by this Act. Directs the Secretary to publish a standardized, national recyclability seal to further assist purchasers in identifying recyclable packaging, containers, and nondurable goods. Authorizes the Secretary, when a person is in violation of labeling requirements, to: (1) issue a recall order requiring the removal of the item from sale or distribution in commerce; or (2) commence a civil action against such person. Permits the assessment of civil penalties for noncompliance with an order. Directs the Secretary to establish a task force for developing a plan to transfer responsibility for the promulgation of procurement guidelines from the EPA to the Department of Commerce. Directs the Secretary to issue and periodically revise guidelines for the use of agencies in complying with this Act. Requires such guidelines to set forth information concerning the procurement of recovered items. Sets deadlines for the issuance of guidelines for specified items. Directs the Secretary to review biennially and increase the minimum recycled content standards for procured materials. Requires procuring agencies which procure items designated in the guidelines to procure items composed of the highest percentage of recycled content practicable or which are in conformance with minimum content standards issued by the Secretary. Makes exceptions to such requirements if procurement items: (1) are not reasonably available within a reasonable period of time; (2) fail to meet performance standards set forth in specifications or standards of the procuring agencies; or (3) are only available at an unreasonable price. States that an unreasonable price is one which exceeds the price of alternative items by more than ten percent (except with respect to certain paper goods). Requires contracting offices at procuring agencies to require vendors to: (1) certify that the percentage of recycled content used in the contract will be at least the amount required by specifications or contractual requirements; and (2) estimate the percentage of the total material to be used in the contract which is recycled. Applies such requirements to contracts in which the purchase price of procurement items exceeds $10,000. Directs procuring agencies to develop affirmative procurement programs to assure that items composed of recovered materials will be purchased to the maximum extent practicable. Requires such agencies to: (1) adopt procedures equivalent to those specified in the guidelines and to set equivalent minimum content standards; and (2) maintain records on types, quantities, and percentages of items composed of recycled content which are purchased or contracted for by the agency and report such statistics annually to the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the Congress on actions taken by Federal agencies to implement such procurement policies. Repeals a provision of the Solid Waste Disposal Act concerning Federal procurement of recovered materials. Requires the Secretary to develop a program to promote the export of recovered materials for recycling by foreign industries. Directs the Secretary to make available to the public information identifying potential foreign buyers of recovered materials. Requires the Secretary to develop a program to promote the export of recycled goods produced in the United States. Directs the Secretary to integrate this program with existing programs promoting such exports. Requires the Secretary to publish and make available to the public statistics and information on recycling and related activities collected pursuant to this Act on a cost-reimbursable basis. Requires the Secretary to conduct a national advertising campaign that promotes recycling and the purchase of recycled goods. Authorizes the Secretary to publish recycling rates for specific recovered materials and for types of containers, packaging, or goods. Directs the Secretary to make grants to accredited institutions of higher education to establish at least four to six recycling research centers in the United States. Requires the Secretary to establish such centers equitably among the regions of the United States. Directs each center to carry out at least one project relating to research on the composting of yard waste, food waste, or recoverable paper and paperboard. Authorizes such centers, as necessary to conduct research, to enter into contracts with: (1) persons involved in recycling activities; (2) State and local governments; and (3) nonprofit private entities which are exempt from Federal taxation. Limits the Federal share of grants to 80 percent of the total cost of establishing and operating the research center. Prohibits the use of such grants for the acquisition of real property or for building construction. Requires at least 40 percent of the funds made available to each center to be allocated to projects performed jointly by the center and local governments with expertise in areas critical to such research. Sets forth grant selection criteria. Requires the Secretary to establish a program for the source separation and collection of materials contained in solid waste from Federal agencies. Directs the Secretary to issue guidelines for such program. Requires Federal office facilities with more than 25 workers to carry out such programs. Provides for the retention by a Federal agency of any funds received from the sale of collected materials and any savings in solid waste disposal costs resulting from the implementation of such programs. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct an independent technical assessment of any product specification or standard that may: (1) disfavor the use of a recovered material as a substitute for comparable virgin feedstocks or raw materials in the manufacture of the product; and (2) have a substantial adverse impact on existing or potential markets for the recovered material. Prohibits the Secretary from reviewing specifications or standards established by individual firms or persons. Requires the Secretary to: (1) publish and make available to the public the findings of the technical assessment; and (2) provide to interested parties information and technical assistance to remove barriers to recycled goods through the standard-setting process. Permits industries or local governments engaged in recycling activities to petition for an independent technical assessment of any specification or standard. Requires the Secretary to establish an interagency working group to assist in the development of regulations and guidelines and the collection of information required by this Act. Sets forth provisions concerning judicial review of final regulations. Title VII: Financing of Certain Solid Waste Disposal Facilities - National Recyclable Commodities Financing Act of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the issuance of tax-exempt facility bonds for qualified recycling facilities. Exempts such government-owned facilities from a volume cap. Allows an investment tax credit for certain remanufacturing equipment. Title VIII: Conservation Data - Conservation Data Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to provide, by contract, for the establishment of a biological diversity conservation data network. Limits the total amount of funds for contracts and requires Federal funds to be matched by State or private funds. Requires: (1) at least 80 percent of funds appropriated for such contracts to be available for grants for Natural Heritage Programs; and (2) at least 25 percent of funds for such programs to be for biological surveys. Sets forth required network functions and contract application procedures. Requires the Secretary to establish a unit within the Department of the Interior to: (1) administer the contract; (2) provide for an annual audit of funds; (3) review the biological diversity conservation data network; (4) promote the use by Federal agencies of biological diversity conservation data; and (5) report to the Congress on the general knowledge of the conservation status of elements of biological diversity. Directs the Secretary to publish reports on the conservation status of elements of biological diversity. Authorizes appropriations. Title IX: Assistance to International Family Planning Organizations - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should provide funds for family planning to organizations operating in foreign countries, provided that such organizations can guarantee that no U.S. funds will be used to pay for performing abortions. Provides that the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 shall be understood to permit U.S. funds to support family planning in foreign countries. Title X: The World Bank and Sustainable Economic Development - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to enter into discussions with the president of the World Bank and with officials of the governments of other major contributors to the Bank to work out guidelines for advance disclosure of prospective bank loans prior to their approval within the Bank. Requires the President to instruct U.S. representatives to the Bank to request that all future energy-sector lending for new energy supplies be contingent on a finding that the quantity of services specified in the loan proposal could not be delivered at the same or lower cost by improving the efficiency of energy use. Title XI: Replanting and Conserving the World's Forests - Sets forth congressional findings on tropical wood. Directs the Secretary of State to enter into negotiations with Japan and the European Communities to: (1) reach agreement on a Phased Tropical Hardwoods Agreement to restrain consumption of tropical hardwoods; and (2) establish an international agreement in support of a special Tropical Forest Conservation Lending Facility to be vested within the World Bank and to finance regimes of sustained yield management for tropical woods. Sets forth congressional findings on global deforestation. Requires the Director of AID to: (1) prepare an assessment of the potential for, and the costs of, raising the productivity of small-holders of land on a country specific basis; (2) frame proposals for the expansion of regional microenterprise lending focused on small-holding agriculture in environmentally stressed regions, to be supported by the World Bank; and (3) prepare an estimate of the full global potential for reforestation, its impact on regional ecological and economic problems, its effect on the global carbon balance, its estimated costs, and a proposal for sharing such costs with the international community. Sets forth congressional findings on the preservation of the Amazon Basin. Encourages the Brazilian Government to begin a process of international consultation toward a program for resource conservation in such Basin. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Secretary of State should intensify efforts to achieve international collaboration to afford Brazil the resources to preserve the rain forest, should Brazil invite such a program; and (2) members of the international community should reassess their investment policies to assure that they do not contribute to the accelerated destruction of such Basin's rain forest. Directs U.S. directors of multilateral development banks and other development assistance institutions to urge restraint pending the development of an approach which blends Brazil's requirements for national development with global environmental imperatives. Expresses the sense of the Congress with respect to the rain forest of Sarawak, Malaysia. Declares that it should be U.S. policy to call upon the Government of: (1) Malaysia to act immediately to end the uncontrolled exploitation of the rain forests of Sarawak and to formally recognize and uphold the customary land rights and internationally established human rights of all its indigenous peoples; and (2) Japan to investigate the activities of certain of that country's private corporations in contributing to the destruction of the Sarawak rain forest and to the culture of the indigenous people of Sarawak. Title XII: Nobel Prize - Expresses the sense of the Congress that it should be U.S. policy to urge the Nobel Commission to consider awarding a Nobel Prize for achievements in preservation of the world environment. Title XIII: International Cooperation - Directs the President to request the United Nations to establish a temporary new agency, to be headed by the director of the United Nations Environmental Program, to: (1) coordinate international efforts to minimize and mitigate the effects of unavoidable environmental alterations; and (2) provide financial, technical, and other assistance to developing nations to facilitate improvements in their standard of living while minimizing or eliminating their contributions to global, continental, and subcontinental scale environmental damage. Directs the President to request the United Nations to establish a temporary program of forestation to: (1) assist and encourage nations in halting activities that are destroying forests; and (2) undertake a global reforestation program. Requires the President to instruct U.S. representatives to other bilateral and multilateral organizations to assure that the activities of such organizations are consistent with this Act's goals and objectives. Title XIV: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations.

Global Forest Emergency Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991

Global Forest Emergency Act - Establishes a national policy of no net loss of forests within the United States and its territories. Makes forest conservation and the sustainable use of forests, domestically and internationally, a national priority. Requires: (1) the President to declare a national forest emergency and work with other nations and international organizations for similar declarations; (2) all U.S. agencies to take all actions within their authority to conserve forests and support forest regeneration and restoration as appropriate to their mission; and (3) the Council on Environmental Quality to establish national objectives to implement and promote such policy. Directs specified U.S. officials to work with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and other international bodies toward a global survey of the world's forests and forest resources to assess the extent, status, and projected trends of the world's forests. Requires such survey to use the best available technology, including satellite imagery. Directs the Agency for International Development and the Forest Service to work together to support and provide technical assistance for national-level forest inventories around the world. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, through the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology (FCCSET), to prepare a comprehensive research program in forest ecology to be known as the Endangered Forest Research Initiative. Specifies that such Initiative shall include: (1) research roles for specified agencies; (2) cooperative scientific programs with other nations; (3) research toward understanding the role of forests in ameliorating climate change, in preserving biological diversity, in preventing erosion, and in protecting watersheds; and (4) development of technologies and methodology for sustained yield forestry and forest restoration and development of indigenous crops in sustained yield agroforestry. Requires the FCCSET: (1) in preparing the Initiative, to pay particular attention to the recommendations of specified National Academy of Sciences reports; (2) to coordinate with the International Union of Forest Research Associations and other domestic and international organizations as appropriate in developing the Initiative; and (3) to submit the Initiative to the Congress within one year after enactment of this Act. Requires that the recommendations contained in the Initiative be represented in the annual budget requests of the participating agencies and departments. Directs the President to extend an invitation to the Government of Japan to participate in a joint United States-Japan Commission on Global Forest Restoration which shall provide financial and technical assistance to nations, international organizations, local and national nongovernmental organizations, and industry to: (1) develop, initiate, and support a global forest restoration program; (2) seek to implement a global policy of no net loss of forest through conservation of existing forests, natural regeneration, and planting of additional trees; and (3) include training and education activities in forest conservation and restoration techniques. Specifies the U.S. members of the Commission.

To amend the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 and the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965.

United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1991

Title I: National Development Investment - Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to cite such Act as the National Development Investment Act and to revise the emphasis of such Act from primary Federal initiative to coordination of investments between the public and the private sectors. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce, upon the application of an eligible State, economic development district, distressed local government, Indian tribe, or nonprofit economic development organization, to make a grant for a portion of the cost of projects submitted in a development investment strategy. Sets forth activities eligible for such development investment assistance, including: (1) construction and repair of public facilities; (2) revolving loan funds to promote small business; (3) feasibility studies to enhance the investment climate; and (4) development activities which prevent economic dislocation and promote employee ownership organizations. Requires an application for a grant under this Act to include: (1) a certification that the area concerned meets certain distress requirements; (2) a certification of any responsibilities which the Secretary has agreed to perform; and (3) a development investment strategy prepared in accordance with this Act. Requires the Secretary to consider specified purposes of this Act in approving applications. Lists as criteria any one of which an area must meet in order to be eligible for a grant under this Act: (1) a per capita income of 80 percent or less of the national average; (2) an unemployment rate one percent above the national average for the most recent 24-month period for which statistics are available; or (3) a sudden economic dislocation resulting in job losses. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to establish a revolving loan fund for making or guaranteeing loans to small businesses for initial or working capital, or for the purchase of facilities or equipment. Limits to $1,000,000 the amount of any such grant. Limits the amount of any grant under this Act to a maximum of 50 percent of the cost of completing the project as determined at the time of the grant application. Permits the Secretary to reduce or waive the non-Federal share of a project in the case of an Indian tribe. Limits expenditures in any one State to a maximum of 15 percent of the appropriations made pursuant to this Act, except for expenditures to Indian tribes. Prohibits the Secretary from obligating more than $2,000,000 in any fiscal year to any person, other than grants for employee ownership organizations. Requires the Secretary, each fiscal year, to obligate minimum amounts of funds for such grants. Authorizes the Secretary to make economic development planning grants to States, economic development districts, Indian tribes, distressed counties, and distressed units of local government. Earmarks such grants for coordination of investment for community facilities, economic development, manpower training, and transportation services. Authorizes the Secretary to evaluate Federal, State, and local development investment efforts. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct any demonstration program to test the feasibility of new ways to increase productivity, foster innovative technology, match labor force with labor markets, or encourage economic diversity and regional balance. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to colleges, universities, and other nonprofit educational and research organizations. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study to determine financing needs for the construction and repair of public facilities. Requires the Secretary to submit to each House of the Congress a detailed statement, including findings and recommendations, concerning such financing needs. Limits the amount of any such grant to not more than 75 percent of the cost of economic development planning or investment strategy preparation. Authorizes the Secretary to consult with other persons and agencies. Prohibits the approval of any grant unless the Secretary is satisfied that the project concerned will be properly and efficiently administered, operated, and maintained. Permits the Secretary to discharge responsibilities relative to a project by accepting a certification of the grant applicant's performance of such responsibilities. Requires the Secretary to make comprehensive annual reports to the Congress detailing operations under this Act. Requires all laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors on projects assisted under this Act to be paid the prevailing rate of wages. Requires the Secretary to maintain and make available for public inspection records of approved applications. Requires each recipient of a grant to maintain certain specified records. Allows the Secretary and the Comptroller General access to all records of such recipients. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1994. Title II: Appalachian Regional Development - Appalachian Regional Development Act Amendments of 1987 - Amends the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965 to declare that investments under such Act shall also be made in severely distressed and underdeveloped counties lacking resources for basic services. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1996 for the administrative expenses of the Appalachian Regional Commission. Authorizes the Commission to lease office space through FY 1994. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1998 for the Appalachian development highway system. Increases from 70 to 80 percent the subsequent Federal share of an Appalachian development highway segment when a participating State proceeds to construct a segment of such a highway without the aid of Federal funds. Applies such increase to projects approved after March 31, 1979. Authorizes the Commission to make grants to States and public and nonprofit entities for projects which will: (1) assist in the creation or retention of permanent private sector jobs, the upgrading of the region's manpower, or the attraction of private investment; (2) provide special assistance to severely distressed and underdeveloped counties which lack financial resources for improving basic services; (3) assist in achieving the goal of making primary health care accessible in the region; or (4) otherwise serve the purposes of this Act. Prohibits the authorization of any financial assistance to enable plant subcontractors to undertake work previously performed in another area by other subcontractors or contractors. Prohibits grants with funds authorized after October 1, 1991, from exceeding 50 percent of the costs of any approved project. Permits such grants to increase the Federal contribution to any project to such percentage as the Commission determines, within specified limitations. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1996. Extends the termination date of such Act from 1982 to October 1, 1994.

Ground Water Safety Act of 1991

United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1991

Ground Water Safety Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to require a pesticide registrant or reregistrant to submit information to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the pesticide's potential for groundwater leaching. Directs the Administrator, upon such registration, to determine a pesticide's leaching potential. Requires registrants, in the case of a positive leaching potential, to: (1) develop management practices to minimize such leaching; (2) disseminate such management information to applicators; and (3) conduct groundwater monitoring. Requires a registrant, upon detection of groundwater contamination, to notify EPA, the State, the owner of the property, and any other person(s) relying on the underground source for drinking water or household needs. States that if such contamination reaches or is likely to reach 25 percent of the EPA-established groundwater residue guidance level, the Administrator shall amend the registration to impose further restrictions on the pesticide's use. States that if contamination reaches 50 percent of the groundwater residue guidance level, the Administrator shall notify and provide relevant information to the affected State(s). Directs the Administrator, if an affected State fails to act, to prohibit the pesticide's use in the vicinity of the underground source of drinking water. Directs the Administrator to: (1) collect and make available to the public information on groundwater pesticide contamination; (2) provide technical assistance to States for groundwater protection programs; (3) conduct research activities to monitor the presence of pesticides in the unsaturated zone; and (4) enter into agreements with the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, and the Interior to develop information systems for State and local officials, farmers, and applicators regarding soil, climate, and hydrology at specific pesticide use sites. Authorizes FY 1992 through 1996 appropriations. Requires States to develop and submit for EPA approval pesticide water pollution prevention programs. Authorizes: (1) the Administrator to provide financial assistance; and (2) FY 1992 through 1996 appropriations. Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Administrator to issue groundwater residue guidance levels for FIFRA-registered pesticides. Amends the Clean Water Act to authorize FY 1992 through 1996 appropriations for EPA research in developing management practices to control pesticide contamination of surface and groundwaters.