Defence

Providing for the consideration of the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 45) authorizing the use of United States Armed Forces in Somalia.

United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1993

Sets forth the rule for the consideration of S.J. Res. 45 (authorizing the use of U.S. armed forces in Somalia).

To amend the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 to require that testimony before the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission be given under oath.

United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1993

Amends the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 to require that all testimony at public hearings conducted by the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission be presented under oath.

A bill to provide a right for a member of the Armed Services to be voluntarily separated from military service if the existing policy concerning military service by homosexuals is changed so that homosexuality is no longer incompatible with military service and if such member has religious, moral, or personal morale objections to such change in policy, to provide separation benefits for certain such members, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1993

Allows a member of the armed forces to request and receive separation from the armed forces if such member: (1) became a member of the armed forces before the Department of Defense policy that homosexuality is incompatible with military service is changed to a policy that homosexuality is not incompatible; (2) has not incurred or accepted any new or additional military service obligation after such policy change; (3) is not eligible for retirement from the armed forces; (4) has not previously been approved for separation under any other law; and (5) has religious, moral, or personal morale objections to such change in policy and, within one year, requests voluntary separation. Entitles to voluntary separation benefits active-duty and reserve members who have served for at least six but less than 20 years in the armed forces and who separate from the armed forces under provisions of this Act. Requires separation within 180 days after the appropriate Secretary receives the request, with a delay allowed due to an adverse impact on the readiness of the military department concerned.

Supplemental Appropriations Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1993

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Supplemental Appropriations Title II: General Provisions Supplemental Appropriations Act of 1993 - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations for FY 1993. Title I: Supplemental Appropriations - Makes additional appropriations available to the Department of Agriculture for the Food Safety and Inspection Service and the Farmers Home Administration. Rescinds certain amounts available to the Rural Development Administration for salaries and expenses. Makes additional funds available to: (1) the Department of Health and Human Services for the Food and Drug Administration; (2) the Courts of Appeals, District Courts, and Other Judicial Services; and (3) the Small Business Administration for the business loans program account. Makes supplemental amounts available to the Department of Defense for military personnel, operation and maintenance, the Defense Business Operations Fund, and the Defense Health Program. Appropriates funds out of the National Security Education Trust Fund for scholarships, fellowships, and grants. Makes additional appropriations available to the Department of the Interior for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Alaska resupply program. Requires the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to use available funds for a grant to Ducks Unlimited, Inc., for a construction project in the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, Ohio. Makes additional funds available to the Department of Health and Human Services for the Health Resources and Services Administration and the Social Security Administration. Makes additional funds available for the Department of Education for student financial assistance. Makes additional funds available for construction by the Department of Defense. Rescinds certain other amounts from the Homeowners Assistance Fund, Defense. Reorganizes the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and makes certain fund transfers. Makes additional funds available to the Executive Office of the President through fund transfers. Provides additional amounts to the National Archives and Records Administration and the General Services Administration for allowances and office staff of former Presidents. Makes additional amounts available to the Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans benefits and the Department of Housing and Urban Development for certain housing programs. Makes additional amounts available by fund transfer to the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Title II: General Provisions - Provides for the utilization of sums collected and deposited into the Central Valley Project Restoration Fund.

Foreign Assistance Responsibility Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1993

Foreign Assistance Responsibility Act of 1993 - Prohibits security assistance (Economic Support Fund and international military education and training assistance and foreign military financing) to countries that consistently opposed the U.S. position (i.e., whose votes coincided with the U.S. position less than 25 percent of the time) during the most recent session of the United Nations General Assembly. Authorizes exemptions to such prohibition based on a country's change of leadership and policies.

A bill to amend chapter 67 of title 10, United States Code, to grant eligibility for retired pay to certain personnel who were members of the reserve components or other non-regular components of the Armed Forces before August 16, 1945, and did not perform active duty during certain periods, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1993

Grants eligibility for military retired pay to those individuals who were in the reserve or other non-regular component of the armed forces before August 16, 1945, who did not serve on active duty after such date during periods of war or other hostilities, and who completed at least 20 years of such reserve duty after such date.

Tax Simplification for Families Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1993

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Definition of Dependent Title II: Definition of Child Tax Simplification for Families Act of 1993 - Title I: Definition of Dependent - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the definition of "dependent" for purposes of the personal exemption deduction by replacing the present-law support test with a residency test similar to that used in the determination of the earned income tax credit. Redefines a dependent to be a qualifying child or relative (eliminating the requirement that the taxpayer provide over half the dependent's support). Revises provisions concerning divorced or separated parents. Provides an exception for pre-1994 divorce or separation agreements. Modifies the dependent care credit to require a dependent to have the same place of abode as the taxpayer. Modifies the earned income credit to conform its requirements to those for the personal exemption. Makes an exception of the residency test for members of the armed forces stationed outside the United States while serving on extended active duty. Requires employers of members of the armed forces and ministers of the gospel to report to their employees the amount of excludable income received in the form of allowances for housing. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe a simplified valuation method for determining the value of housing allowances of members of the armed forces and the rental value of parsonages. Modifies provisions defining surviving spouse status and head of household status to require that such taxpayers be eligible for a dependency exemption for the one or more individuals. Requires dependents of a surviving spouse or head of household to live with the taxpayer. Repeals the requirement that certain married individuals living apart maintain a household which constitutes the principal place of abode of a child. Repeals the provision which requires a reduction in the medical expense deduction based on the health insurance credit allowable under the earned income credit. Title II: Definition of Child - Establishes a definition of "child" to mean: (1) a son, daughter, stepson, or stepdaughter; (2) an adopted child; and (3) any individual for whom a taxpayer cares as the taxpayer's own child, and who has the same principal place of abode as the taxpayer.

To amend title 10, United States Code, to include chiropractic care as an authorized health care benefit under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services.

United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1993

Includes chiropractic care as an authorized health care benefit provided under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS). Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Health and Human Services to establish a chiropractic review board to provide assistance to such Secretaries in the administration of the chiropractic care program under CHAMPUS.

To amend title 10, United States Code, to ensure equitable treatment for members of the Armed Forces from outside the continental United States in the provision of excess leave and permissive temporary duty in connection with the separation of the members from the Armed Services.

United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1993

Directs the Secretary of Defense to ensure that a member of the armed forces whose home of record is outside the continental United States and who is stationed inside the continental United States at the time of separation shall be eligible to receive the same amount of excess leave or permissive temporary duty as a member who is stationed overseas. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress describing other areas of possible inequitable treatment of such members.

Many Neighbors, One Earth Resolution

United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1993

Many Neighbors, One Earth Resolution - Urges the President to develop and implement a coordinated economic and development policy and program of action designed to promote broadbased, sustainable development that will reduce global hunger and poverty in environmentally sound ways. Specifies that such policy and program should have as its principal objectives: (1) expanding economic opportunities; (2) meeting basic human needs; (3) promoting environmental protection and sustainable use of natural resources; and (4) promoting pluralism, democratic participation, and human rights. Specifies that such policy and program should involve all relevant international activities of the U.S. Government. Urges the President to take specific actions, including: (1) proposing the enactment of legislation providing for a post-Cold War foreign assistance program to promote sustainable development, especially the reduction of hunger and poverty in environmentally sound ways; (2) developing and implementing development cooperation programs and projects in pursuit of such objectives; (3) ensuring that development cooperation programs take into account relevant local perspectives of the rural and urban poor during the design, planning, and implementation process for project and program assistance; and (4) encouraging and supporting the efforts of countries to reduce their level of military spending when such spending is disproportionate to security needs and to spending on health, education, and environmental protection.

Military Land Reform and Reassessment Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1993

Military Land Reform and Reassessment Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to permit: (1) the military department of any State (currently, limited to Federal departments and agencies) to use, occupy, and develop public lands, subject to specified requirements; and (2) the use of public lands within the State by the military department of one or more States for military training, equipment testing, or other authorized military activities. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) issue a general authorization for the military department of one or more States to use public lands for activities the Secretary finds are not likely to result in a significant degree of residual contamination of affected lands; (2) permit such use for activities that would result in a significant degree of residual contamination under specified circumstances; and (3) waive rental charges for the use of public land by a State military department for military training, equipment testing, and other authorized military activities. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) reporting requirements; and (2) reimbursement by the Secretary of Defense of a State military department for costs to such department incident to the use of lands by a State National Guard or by U.S. armed forces for specified purposes. Revises provisions with respect to authority over the interchange of lands. Sets forth provisions regarding the monitoring of, effect of, and restrictions on military aircraft overflights over nonmilitary public lands and lands managed by the Secretary of Agriculture. Directs the Secretaries of the Interior and Defense to submit to the Congress an inventory of all public lands withdrawn for military purposes. Requires each future-years defense plan to include an identification of public lands whose withdrawal under the Engle Act is expected to be requested during the years covered by such plan. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the termination of military uses of withdrawn public lands; and (2) restrictions on use for military purposes of lands in the Orchard training area, Idaho.

NDRF Ship Disposal Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1993

NDRF Ship Disposal Act of 1993 - Mandates the disposal of all vessels in the National Defense Reserve Fleet unless: (1) assigned to the Ready Reserve Force; (2) specifically authorized or required by statute to be used for a particular purpose; (3) necessary for national defense purposes (requires annual recertification); or (4) needed for State or Federal agency use (requires annual recertification). Allows use of 15 vessels being disposed of for the artificial reef program under specified Federal law.

To amend chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, to provide that veterans who are former prisoners of war shall be deemed to have a service-connected disability rated as total for the purposes of determining the benefits due to such veterans.

United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1993

Provides that a veteran who is a former prisoner of war shall be deemed to have a total service-connected disability rating for purposes of eligibility for veterans' benefits.

To amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize the Secretaries of the military departments to provide temporary transitional and indemnity compensation payments to the dependents of a member of the Armed Forces who is separated from the Armed Forces following conviction for an offense involving the abuse of one of those dependents, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1993

Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to pay monthly transitional and indemnity compensation to the dependents or former dependents of a member of the armed forces who is separated from service after conviction for an offense involving the abuse of one of those dependents (including such member's spouse). Outlines provisions concerning: (1) appropriate payment recipients; (2) payment commencement, duration and amount; and (3) forfeiture of the right to such payments (i.e., the remarriage of a former spouse, or a dependent child reaching 18 years of age).

Defense Reinvestment and High-Tech Job Creation Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1993

Defense Reinvestment and High-Tech Job Creation Act of 1993 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for defense conversion equal to the defense conversion employment credit (ten percent of wages paid by an employer) and the defense conversion investment credit (applicable percentage of a qualified business investment). Makes qualified excess defense conversion property eligible for the straight-line depreciation method and classifies it as five-year depreciable property.

Expressing the sense of Congress concerning the appropriate level of funding for Department of Veterans' Affairs research programs for fiscal year 1994.

United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1993

Expresses the sense of the Congress that the amount appropriated for the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical and Prosthetic Research account for FY 1994 should be no less than the amount appropriated for such account for FY 1993 plus inflation.

National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1993

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Programs and Related Provisions Subtitle A: Programs Subtitle B: Related Provisions Title II: Organization Title III: Reauthorization Subtitle A: National and Community Service Act of 1990 Subtitle B: Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 Title IV: Technical and Conforming Amendments National Service Trust Act of 1993 - Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 to reauthorize, revise, and reorganize national and community service and domestic volunteer programs, establish a Corporation for National Service and a National Service Trust program of Federal investment in support of national service, and provide expanded opportunities for national service and educational awards for participants. Title I: Programs and Related Provisions - Subtitle A: Programs - (Sec. 101) Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (the Act) to establish the National Service Trust program, replacing the current American Conservation and Youth Service Corps. Authorizes the Corporation for National Service (CNS) to make matching grants to State and local governments, Indian tribes, public and private nonprofit organizations, and higher education institutions for: (1) full- or part-time national service programs, including summer programs; and (2) subgrants for national service programs of other entities. Authorizes CNS to enter into agreements with other Federal agencies to support their national service programs. Directs CNS to approve national service educational awards for participants serving in CNS-assisted national service programs. Describes types of eligible national service programs addressing unmet human, educational, environmental, or public safety needs, including community corps, youth corps, service-learning, special skills or specialized training, individualized placement, campus-based, preprofessional training, professional corps, disadvantaged youth community service, national service entrepreneur, intergenerational, or other programs. Directs CNS to establish qualification criteria. Authorizes CNS to provide the following types of program assistance: planning, operational, replication, subgrantee, training, technical, and other special assistance (including support for State commissions and challenge grants for national service programs). Requires CNS to ensure that participants in VISTA or the Civilian Community Corps receive national service educational awards, except in specified circumstances. Sets forth application and program requirements. Requires an assurance that the program assisted will not perform service that provides a direct benefit to any: (1) for-profit business; (2) labor union; (3) partisan political organization; or (4) organization engaged in religious activities (unless such service does not involve use of assistance or participants to give religious instruction, conduct worship services, or engage in any form of proselytization). Sets a minimum age for national service participants of 17, except for certain youth programs where the beginning of service may be between age 16 and 25. Sets rules for selection of participants, including selection and training of a national leadership pool. Sets a term of service at a minimum of 1,700 hours during: (1) a full-time period of nine months to one year; or (2) a part-time period of one to two years. Establishes requirements for participant living allowances. Limits the Federal share to not more than 85 percent of the VISTA volunteer allowance. Makes those who serve in approved national service positions eligible for national service educational awards. (Sec. 102) Establishes the National Service Trust in the Treasury to provide for the payment of national service educational awards. Sets forth eligibility standards for national service educational awards. Bases such awards on only the first and second terms of service. Requires that the award be used within five years after completion of the term of service. Sets the award's value at $5,000 for each term of service (up to two terms). Allows the use of such awards to: (1) repay outstanding student loans; (2) pay current educational expenses; (3) enable participation in approved school-to-work programs; and (4) pay interest during forbearance on loan repayment. Provides that awards shall not be considered: (1) in a means-test for Federal or federally-assisted benefits; or (2) as taxable income under the Internal Revenue Code. Makes conforming amendments to student loan provisions of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA). Makes Stafford loan forgiveness available. (Sec. 103) Establishes School-Based and Community-Based Service-Learning programs to replace current Programs for Students and Out-of-School Youth. Revises the Serve-America program (currently named Service-America) to include: (1) school-based programs for students; (2) community-based service programs for school-age youth; and (3) a service-learning clearinghouse. Authorizes CNS to make planning grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) with respect to service-learning coordinators participating in an assisted national service program or receive a national service educational award. Authorizes grants for school-based service-learning programs and community-based service programs. Directs CNS to provide financial assistance to eligible public and private nonprofit organizations to establish a service-learning clearinghouse. Adds priority criteria for the making of grants for Higher Education Innovative Programs for Community Service. (Sec. 104) Establishes an Investment for Quality and Innovation program to carry out specified innovation and quality improvement activities. Directs CNS to provide assistance to appropriate entities to establish one or more clearinghouses, including the service-learning clearinghouse. Authorizes the President, acting through CNS, to make Presidential awards for service to individuals providing significant service, and to outstanding service programs. Provides that Civilian Community Corps members may receive educational awards (or suitable alternative benefits if ineligible for such awards). Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993 to extend the authority to conduct the Civilian Community Corps Demonstration Program. Subtitle B: Related Provisions - (Sec. 111-121) Makes conforming amendments and repealers to specified Federal law. Title II: Organization - (Sec. 201) Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to require the establishment of State commissions on national service as a condition for receiving certain grants or allotments or a distribution of approved national service positions. Sets commission membership standards and duties, including planning. (Sec. 202) Establishes the Corporation for National Service (CNS) as a Government corporation to administer programs under the Act. Amends the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 to require the Director of the ACTION Agency to report directly to the CNS Chairperson (under interim authorities). Directs the Chairperson to establish (or request the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to provide) job search and related assistance to employees of the ACTION Agency who are not transferred to CNS. (Sec. 202 & 203) Transfers to CNS functions of: (1) the Commission on National and Community Service (under interim authorities); and (2) the ACTION Agency (under final authorities). Title III: Reauthorization - Subtitle A: National and Community Service Act of 1990 - Extends the authorization of appropriations for the National and Community Service Act of 1990. Subtitle B: Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 - Domestic Volunteer Service Act Amendments of 1993 - Amends the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1978 (DVSA) to reauthorize, reorganize, and revise its programs. Chapter I: VISTA and Other Anti-Poverty Programs - (Sec. 321) Adds to VISTA program objectives generating private sector resources commitment, encouraging local level volunteer service, and strengthening local agencies and organizations to carry out the program. (Sec. 322) Revises procedures and other requirements for selection and assignment of VISTA volunteers. Allows a sponsoring organization to recruit VISTA volunteers, subject to final approval of the Director of the ACTION Agency (the Director). (Sec. 323) Revises provisions for terms and periods of service. Authorizes a VISTA summer associates program. (Sec. 324) Revises postservice stipends. (Sec. 325) Requires encouragement of participation of both younger (18 through 27) and older (55 and older) VISTA volunteers. (Sec. 328) Repeals authority for student community service programs grants and contracts. (Sec. 329) Renames the University Year for ACTION the University Year for VISTA program. Shortens the minimum period of participation to an academic semester or equivalent. Allows volunteers to receive a living allowance or such other support the Director deems appropriate. (Sec. 330) Revises authority to establish and operate special volunteer and demonstration programs. Requires a competitive process for any grant or contract exceeding $100,000. (Sec. 331) Permits the Director to provide technical and financial assistance to employers and other private organizations that use or desire to use volunteers. (Sec. 332) Repeals a separate authority for drug abuse education and prevention programs under special volunteer programs. Chapter 2: National Senior Volunteer Corps - (Sec. 342) Renames the retired senior volunteer program the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). (Sec. 343) Expands RSVP eligibility to include older working persons and those over 55 (currently 60). (Sec. 345) Requires certain adjustments and minimums for stipends for low-income volunteers. (Sec. 346) Allows non-low-income persons to participate in the Foster Grandparent and the Senior Companion programs, without any financial support except reimbursement for related expenses. (Sec. 347) Repeals certain conditions for grants and contracts under those two programs, including a requirement that volunteers no longer be in the regular work force. (Sec. 348) Eliminates one type of evaluation of the Senior Companion Program. (Sec. 349) Encourages agreements with other Federal agencies involving retired, senior, intergenerational, and conservation volunteer programs. (Sec. 352) Authorizes grants and contracts for demonstration programs of innovative activities involving older volunteers. Prohibits reducing other older volunteer programs to support such demonstrations. Chapter 3: Administration - (Sec. 365) Bases disability or death benefits for VISTA volunteers on a grade GS-5 (rather than GS-7) Federal employee entrance salary. (Sec. 370) Grants copyright protection for the programs of the ACTION Agency. (Sec. 371) Authorizes the Director to establish a Center for Research and Training on Volunteerism. (Sec. 372) Amends Federal law relating to Federal employees to make retirement credit for time served as a VISTA volunteer available to all who become Federal employees subsequent to such volunteer service, upon their paying a deposit based on their post-service stipend. Chapter 4: Authorization of Appropriations and Other Amendments - (Sec. 381-383) Extends the authorization of appropriations for various programs under the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973. (Sec. 385) Repeals Youthbuild Projects authority. Chapter 5: General Provisions - (Sec. 391) Sets forth technical and conforming amendments. Title IV: Technical and Conforming Amendments - (Sec. 401-405) Sets forth various changes of definitions and references in specified Federal law.

National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1993

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Programs and Related Provisions Subtitle A: Programs Subtitle B: Related Provisions Title II: Organization Title III: Reauthorization Subtitle A: National and Community Service Act of 1990 Subtitle B: Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 Title IV: Technical and Conforming Amendments National Service Trust Act of 1993 - Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 to reauthorize, revise, and reorganize national and community service and domestic volunteer programs, establish a Corporation for National Service and a National Service Trust program of Federal investment in support of national service, and provide expanded opportunities for national service and educational awards for participants. Title I: Programs and Related Provisions - Subtitle A: Programs - (Sec. 101) Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (the Act) to establish the National Service Trust program, replacing the current American Conservation and Youth Service Corps. Authorizes the Corporation for National Service (CNS) to make matching grants to State and local governments, Indian tribes, public and private nonprofit organizations, and higher education institutions for: (1) full- or part-time national service programs, including summer programs; and (2) subgrants for national service programs of other entities. Authorizes CNS to enter into agreements with other Federal agencies to support their national service programs. Directs CNS to approve national service educational awards for participants serving in CNS-assisted national service programs. Describes types of eligible national service programs addressing unmet human, educational, environmental, or public safety needs, including community corps, youth corps, service-learning, special skills or specialized training, individualized placement, campus-based, preprofessional training, professional corps, disadvantaged youth community service, national service entrepreneur, intergenerational, or other programs. Directs CNS to establish qualification criteria. Authorizes CNS to provide the following types of program assistance: planning, operational, replication, subgrantee, training, technical, and other special assistance (including support for State commissions and challenge grants for national service programs). Requires CNS to ensure that participants in VISTA or the Civilian Community Corps receive national service educational awards, except in specified circumstances. Sets forth application and program requirements. Requires an assurance that the program assisted will not perform service that provides a direct benefit to any: (1) for-profit business; (2) labor union; (3) partisan political organization; or (4) organization engaged in religious activities (unless such service does not involve use of assistance or participants to give religious instruction, conduct worship services, or engage in any form of proselytization). Sets a minimum age for national service participants of 17, except for certain youth programs where the beginning of service may be between age 16 and 25. Sets rules for selection of participants, including selection and training of a national leadership pool. Sets a term of service at a minimum of 1,700 hours during: (1) a full-time period of nine months to one year; or (2) a part-time period of one to two years. Establishes requirements for participant living allowances. Limits the Federal share to not more than 85 percent of the VISTA volunteer allowance. Makes those who serve in approved national service positions eligible for national service educational awards. (Sec. 102) Establishes the National Service Trust in the Treasury to provide for the payment of national service educational awards. Sets forth eligibility standards for national service educational awards. Bases such awards on only the first and second terms of service. Requires that the award be used within five years after completion of the term of service. Sets the award's value at $5,000 for each term of service (up to two terms). Allows the use of such awards to: (1) repay outstanding student loans; (2) pay current educational expenses; (3) enable participation in approved school-to-work programs; and (4) pay interest during forbearance on loan repayment. Provides that awards shall not be considered: (1) in a means-test for Federal or federally-assisted benefits; or (2) as taxable income under the Internal Revenue Code. Makes conforming amendments to student loan provisions of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA). Makes Stafford loan forgiveness available. (Sec. 103) Establishes School-Based and Community-Based Service-Learning programs to replace current Programs for Students and Out-of-School Youth. Revises the Serve-America program (currently named Service-America) to include: (1) school-based programs for students; (2) community-based service programs for school-age youth; and (3) a service-learning clearinghouse. Authorizes CNS to make planning grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) with respect to service-learning coordinators participating in an assisted national service program or receive a national service educational award. Authorizes grants for school-based service-learning programs and community-based service programs. Directs CNS to provide financial assistance to eligible public and private nonprofit organizations to establish a service-learning clearinghouse. Adds priority criteria for the making of grants for Higher Education Innovative Programs for Community Service. (Sec. 104) Establishes an Investment for Quality and Innovation program to carry out specified innovation and quality improvement activities. Directs CNS to provide assistance to appropriate entities to establish one or more clearinghouses, including the service-learning clearinghouse. Authorizes the President, acting through CNS, to make Presidential awards for service to individuals providing significant service, and to outstanding service programs. Provides that Civilian Community Corps members may receive educational awards (or suitable alternative benefits if ineligible for such awards). Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993 to extend the authority to conduct the Civilian Community Corps Demonstration Program. Subtitle B: Related Provisions - (Sec. 111-121) Makes conforming amendments and repealers to specified Federal law. Title II: Organization - (Sec. 201) Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to require the establishment of State commissions on national service as a condition for receiving certain grants or allotments or a distribution of approved national service positions. Sets commission membership standards, and duties, including planning. (Sec. 202) Establishes the Corporation for National Service (CNS) as a Government corporation to administer programs under the Act. Amends the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 to require the Director of the ACTION Agency to report directly to the CNS Chairperson (under interim authorities). Directs the Chairperson to establish (or request the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to provide) job search and related assistance to employees of the ACTION Agency who are not transferred to CNS. (Sec. 202 & 203) Transfers to CNS functions of: (1) the Commission on National and Community Service (under interim authorities); and (2) the ACTION Agency (under final authorities). Title III: Reauthorization - Subtitle A: National and Community Service Act of 1990 - Extends the authorization of appropriations for the National and Community Service Act of 1990. Subtitle B: Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 - Domestic Volunteer Service Act Amendments of 1993 - Amends the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1978 (DVSA) to reauthorize, reorganize, and revise its programs. Chapter I: VISTA and Other Anti-Poverty Programs - (Sec. 321) Adds to VISTA program objectives generating private sector resource commitment, encouraging local level volunteer service, and strengthening local agencies and organizations to carry out the program. (Sec. 322) Revises procedures and other requirements for selection and assignment of VISTA volunteers. Allows a sponsoring organization to recruit VISTA volunteers, subject to final approval of the Director of the ACTION Agency (the Director). (Sec. 323) Revises provisions for terms and periods of service. Authorizes a VISTA summer associates program. (Sec. 324) Revises postservice stipends. (Sec. 325) Requires encouragement of participation of both younger (18 through 27) and older (55 and older) VISTA volunteers. (Sec. 328) Repeals authority for student community service programs grants and contracts. (Sec. 329) Renames the University Year for ACTION the University Year for VISTA program. Shortens the minimum period of participation to an academic semester or equivalent. Allows volunteers to receive a living allowance or such other support the Director deems appropriate. (Sec. 330) Revises authority to establish and operate special volunteer and demonstration programs. Requires a competitive process for any grant or contract exceeding $100,000. (Sec. 331) Permits the Director to provide technical and financial assistance to employers and other private organizations that use or desire to use volunteers. (Sec. 332) Repeals a separate authority for drug abuse education and prevention programs under special volunteer programs. Chapter 2: National Senior Volunteer Corps - (Sec. 342) Renames the retired senior volunteer program the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). (Sec. 343) Expands RSVP eligibility to include older working persons and those over 55 (currently 60). (Sec. 345) Requires certain adjustments and minimums for stipends for low-income volunteers. (Sec. 346) Allows non-low-income persons to participate in the Foster Grandparent and the Senior Companion programs, without any financial support except reimbursement for related expenses. (Sec. 347) Repeals certain conditions for grants and contracts under those two programs, including a requirement that volunteers no longer be in the regular work force. (Sec. 348) Eliminates one type of evaluation of the Senior Companion Program. (Sec. 349) Encourages agreements with other Federal agencies involving retired, senior, intergenerational, and conservation volunteer programs. (Sec. 352) Authorizes grants and contracts for demonstration programs of innovative activities involving older volunteers. Prohibits reducing other older volunteer programs to support such demonstrations. Chapter 3: Administration - (Sec. 365) Bases disability or death benefits for VISTA volunteers on a grade GS-5 (rather than GS-7) Federal employee entrance salary. (Sec. 370) Grants copyright protection for the programs of the ACTION Agency. (Sec. 371) Authorizes the Director to establish a Center for Research and Training on Volunteerism. (Sec. 372) Amends Federal law relating to Federal employees to make retirement credit for time served as a VISTA volunteer available to all who become Federal employees subsequent to such volunteer service, upon their paying a deposit based on their post-service stipend. Chapter 4: Authorization of Appropriations and Other Amendments - (Sec. 381-383) Extends the authorization of appropriations for various programs under the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973. (Sec. 385) Repeals Youthbuild Projects authority. Chapter 5: General Provisions - (Sec. 391) Sets forth technical and conforming amendments. Title IV: Technical and Conforming Amendments - (Sec. 401-405) Sets forth various changes of definitions and references in specified Federal law.

An Act to authorize major medical facilitiy projects and leases for the Department of Veterans' Affairs, to revise and extend the authority of the Secretary of Veterans' Affairs to enter into enhanced-use leases, to revise certain authorities relating to Pershing Hall, France, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1993

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Health Care Planning and Programs Title II: Medical Facilities Acquisition Title III: Administration Title IV: State Home Program Title V: Miscellaneous Veterans' Health Programs Amendments of 1993 - Title I: Health Care Planning and Programs - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to prescribe a specific, detailed statement of the mission of, and the clinical programs to be operated at, each health care facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Extends through September 30, 1997, the period during which the Secretary may conduct a pilot program for the furnishing of health-related services to certain eligible veterans as a noninstitutional alternative to nursing home care. Provides program funding. Extends certain reporting deadlines required under the Department of Veterans Affairs Nurse Pay Act of 1990. Title II: Medical Facilities Acquisition - Authorizes the Secretary to carry out the major medical facility leases and construction projects for which funds are requested in the FY 1994 budget. Prohibits the authorization of the construction of a nursing home facility in Baltimore, Maryland. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out the design of specified future major medical facility construction projects, with an accompanying authorization of appropriations for such construction. Directs the Secretary to conduct and report on: (1) a review of the methodology used by the Department for establishing the relative priority for major construction projects under consideration; and (2) an assessment of the need for nursing home beds in the Chesapeake network area. Title III: Administration - Authorizes the Secretary to undertake an administrative reorganization at a Department medical facility if necessary to respond to an emergency situation. Title IV: State Home Program - Directs the Secretary to pay each State a per diem amount for each veteran receiving adult day health care in a State nursing home. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements with State veterans facilities for the sharing of health-care resources. Title V: Miscellaneous - Declares that specified veterans research advisory committees have functions integrally related to the successful completion by the Department of its statutory duties. Prohibits the Secretary from terminating any such committee unless the Secretary finds that it is no longer needed. Provides limitations on veteran payments or copayments for: (1) hospital and nursing home care; (2) outpatient medical services; and (3) medications. Authorizes and provides the conditions under which the Secretary may provide for the operation of child care centers at Department facilities.

United States Peace Tax Fund Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1993

United States Peace Tax Fund Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish the United States Peace Tax Fund to receive payments designated on the tax returns of qualified individuals to be used for nonmilitary purposes. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report annually to the Congress on amounts transferred into the Fund. Requires the information to be printed in the Congressional Record. Permits conscientious objectors to designate on their income tax returns that any tax liability be paid into the Fund. Makes this designation procedure available to any individual who has demonstrated himself or herself, by reason of religious training and belief, to be opposed to participation in war in any form. Requires every taxpayer who makes such a designation for any taxable year to file a questionnaire return for the purpose of determining whether the taxpayer is an eligible individual. Permits the setting aside of criminal or civil penalties imposed upon a taxpayer for nonpayment of tax prior to 1994 if the taxpayer pays the tax due (with interest) and establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary of the Treasury that the nonpayment was due to religious beliefs. Authorizes corresponding procedures in connection with estate and gift tax payments, under conditions prescribed by the Secretary. Directs the Comptroller General to determine the percentage of actual appropriations made by the United States from the Federal budget during the preceding year for military purposes. Requires publication of this information in the Congressional Record. Authorizes appropriations.

To designate Homestead Air Force Base, Florida, and the county within which the military installation is located, as an enterprise zone for purposes of title VII of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987.

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1993

Designates Homestead Air Force Base, Florida, and a specified portion of Dade County, Florida, as an additional enterprise zone for purposes of title VII of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987.

Commission on the Dual-Use Application of Facilities and Resources at White Sands Missile Range Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1993

Commission on the Dual-Use Application of Facilities and Resources at White Sands Missile Range Act - Establishes the Commission on the Dual-Use Application of Facilities and Resources at White Sands Missile Range to study and report to the congressional defense committees on the manner in which the defense-related equipment, facilities, processes, and technologies at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico may be utilized by the private sector. Terminates the Commission one year after its members are appointed. Authorizes appropriations.

To cancel the F/A-18 aircraft upgrade program.

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1993

Directs the Secretary of Defense to cancel the F/A-18 aircraft upgrade program. Provides that funds programmed or appropriated for such upgrade for fiscal years after FY 1992 shall be used to procure additional such aircraft configured in the C/D model.

To terminate the Department of Defense independent research and development program and to replace that program with a grant program to be used for support of basic research.

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1993

Terminates the independent research and development program of the Department of Defense. Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a program to provide grants to businesses, universities, and other appropriate entities for the support of basic research. Authorizes appropriations.

To reduce the rate of procurement of DDG-51 destroyers.

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1993

Allows no more than two DDG-51 destroyers to be procured by the Navy for each of FY 1994 through 1997.

To authorize the provision of community adjustment and economic diversification assistance in connection with the closure of Homestead Air Force Base, Florida.

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1993

Directs the Secretary of Defense to provide community adjustment and economic diversification assistance to Florida and local governments in Dade County, Florida, in connection with Homestead Air Force Base. Authorizes FY 1994 appropriations.

Homestead, Florida, Community Adjustment and Economic Diversification Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 1994

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1993

Homestead, Florida, Community Adjustment and Economic Diversification Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 1994 - Makes appropriations for FY 1994 for operation and maintenance, defense agencies, for planning and carrying out a community adjustment and economic diversification program in connection with Homestead Air Force Base, Florida.

Commission on Filipino Veterans Entitlement Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1993

Commission on Filipino Veterans Entitlement Act - Establishes the Commission on Filipino War Veterans Entitlement to: (1) review the facts and circumstances surrounding the enactment of provisions of the First Supplemental Surplus Appropriation Rescission Act, 1946, which denied most veterans' benefits and privileges to Filipino veterans of World War II; (2) review existing Department of Veterans Affairs benefits and medical privileges available to those veterans; (3) determine what type of veterans' benefits are due to such veterans; and (4) recommend appropriate changes in law. Terminates the Commission on February 1, 1995. Authorizes appropriations.

Concerning congressional approval of the introduction of United States Armed Forces in the former Yugoslavia.

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1993

Supports the efforts of the President to consult with congressional leaders regarding the introduction of U.S. armed forces into the former Yugoslavia. Finds that the Constitution vests all power to declare war and to authorize the use of force other than in self-defense in the Congress. Declares that the introduction of U.S. armed forces that are authorized to use military force in the former Yugoslavia, either individually or in conjunction with other countries or international organizations, should be explicitly approved by the Congress before such introduction.

Public Health and Safety Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1993

Public Health and Safety Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the manufacture, import, export, sale, purchase, transfer, receipt, ownership, possession, transport, or use (manufacture) of a handgun or handgun ammunition. Makes exceptions with respect to the military, law enforcement agencies, registered security guard services, and licensed handgun clubs and members of such clubs. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to approve such manufacture by licensed manufacturers, importers, and dealers as necessary to meet the lawful requirements of such persons and entities covered by the exceptions. Specifies handgun club licensing requirements. Requires: (1) the Secretary to revoke the license of any such club that does not continue to meet such requirements; and (2) such club to pay to the Secretary an annual license fee of $25. Specifies security guard service registration requirements. Requires: (1) the Secretary to revoke such registration if the service does not continue to meet such requirements; and (2) such service to pay to the Secretary an annual registration fee of $50. Sets forth provisions with respect to: (1) recordkeeping (by licensed manufacturers, importers, dealers, handgun clubs or their members and by registered security guard services that transfer handguns or handgun ammunition); (2) reports of loss or theft; and (3) transfers to handgun clubs. Authorizes the voluntary delivery to any designated Federal, State, or local law enforcement agency of a handgun owned or possessed by a person. Directs the Secretary to: (1) arrange with each such agency to receive handguns for the transfer, destruction, or other disposition of such handguns; and (2) pay to such person $25 or the fair market value of the gun. Authorizes appropriations. Sets penalties for violations of this Act. Specifies that a person who voluntarily delivers a handgun under this Act after 180 days after enactment shall not be subject to criminal prosecution for possession of the handgun, but shall pay to the Secretary a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $500. Establishes penalties for: (1) failure to report the loss or theft of a handgun; (2) negligent and intentional deliveries to an unauthorized place; (3) false statements or representations; and (4) failure to keep, or permit inspection of, records. Provides for the forfeiture of any handgun or handgun ammunition involved or used in a violation of this Act or of any other criminal law of the United States.

Comprehensive Health and Rural Equality Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1993

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Guaranteed Access to Affordable Health Care Coverage Title II: Small Employer Insurance Reform Title III: Health Care Cost Containment Subtitle A: Denial of Certain Tax Deductions and Exclusion for Excess Benefits Subtitle B: Medical Malpractice Reform Subtitle C: Administrative Cost Savings Subtitle C (sic): Estimates of Expenses Prior to Treatment Subtitle D: Antitrust Exemptions Title IV: Long-Term Care Subtitle A: Treatment of Long-Term Care Insurance Plans Subtitle B: Treatment of Accelerated Death Benefits Title V: Incentives for Provision of Services in Rural Areas Comprehensive Health and Rural Equality Act of 1993 - Title I: Guaranteed Access to Affordable Health Care Coverage - Requires all citizens and lawful aliens residing in the United States who are not covered under a health insurance program to register with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and be enrolled under a MedEquality plan. Provides: (1) for the issuance of a credit certificate which can only be used to purchase a MedEquality plan to each eligible individual; and (2) that the certificate's value shall be at the maximum level for individuals and families below the poverty line and that such certificate shall have no value for individuals and families with incomes of more than 150 percent of the poverty level. Provides for payments to States with agreements to carry out this title. Requires each licensed insurance carrier in a State, to make a MedEquality plan available to residents residing in the State. Title II: Small Employer Insurance Reform - Provides for the establishment of general standards for MedEquality plans. Requires each small employer carrier in a State to make available to each small employer a MedEquality plan. Sets forth the requirements for such a plan, including that it be designed to provide only basic hospital, medical, surgical, preventive, and diagnostic benefits so as to make it affordable to small employers. Prohibits the limitation of benefits based on a preexisting condition if: (1) the condition did not exist within six months before coverage; or (2) the limitation extends more than 12 months after coverage. Provides for the establishment of reinsurance mechanisms for high risk individuals. Preempts from insurance mandates qualified small employer purchasing groups. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permanently make 100 percent of the health insurance costs for self-employed individuals deductible by 1997. Preempts the following provisions of State law: (1) restrictions on reimbursement rates or selective contracting; (2) restrictions on differential financial incentives; and (3) restrictions on utilization review. Title III: Health Care Cost Containment - Subtitle A: Denial of Certain Tax Deductions and Exclusion for Excess Benefits - Denies an employer a deduction for any expenses incurred for employee health care that are not within the basic benefits of a MedEquality plan. Denies the exclusion to an employee from gross income of employer-provided health care coverage to the extent coverage is provided for benefits not included in a MedEquality plan. Subtitle B: Medical Malpractice Reform - Prohibits a medical malpractice claim following the two year period beginning the date after which the injury should have been discovered, but in no event may it be brought more than four years following the injury. Provides an exception for children under six years of age. Requires the initial resolution of a medical malpractice claim under an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) system before any such claim may be brought in a State court. Requires the use of ADR in malpractice claims brought before a Federal agency. Requires a pretrial settlement conference before beginning a medical malpractice trial. Limits the award of noneconomic and punitive damages in medical malpractice cases. Limits attorney's fees in such cases. Prohibits joint liability. Requires a defendant's actions to have been not reasonable before being found negligent in such cases. Provides a complete defense to a defendant who followed the appropriate practice guideline. Sets forth requirements for a State's ADR system. Permits State professional societies to participate in licensing and disciplinary activities. Subtitle C: Administrative Cost Savings - Requires the adoption of: (1) data elements for use in paper and electronic claims processing; (2) uniform claims forms; and (3) uniform electronic transmission of the data elements. Requires the promulgation of standards for hospitals concerning electronic medical data. Provides for the establishment of an advisory commission concerning medical data standards. Provides for Medicare and Medicaid magnetized identification cards. Authorizes appropriations. Requires each health benefit plan to use the social security number of each beneficiary as that beneficiary's personal identifier. Provides for the coordination of benefits when benefits are payable under two or more health plans, if the Secretary determines there is a need for such coordination. Subtitle C (sic): Estimate of Expenses Prior to Treatment - Requires every health care provider to provide an estimate of expenses before providing any item or service. Subtitle D: Antitrust Exemptions - Permits cooperative agreements among hospitals entered into solely with respect to sharing expensive capital-intensive technology or other highly resource-intensive services. Title IV: Long-Term Care - Subtitle A: Treatment of Long-Term Care Insurance Plans - Provides, under the Internal Revenue Code, for the treatment of qualified long-term care insurance as accident or health insurance. Excludes from gross income any benefit received through qualified long-term care insurance. Excludes from gross income amounts withdrawn from individual retirement plans or 401(K) plans for qualified long-term care insurance. Permits the exchange of a life insurance policy for a qualified long-term care policy without recognition of gain or loss. Subtitle B: Treatment of Accelerated Death Benefits - Excludes from gross income any amount paid under a life insurance contract on the life of a terminally ill individual or one who is permanently confined to a nursing home. Treats any reference to a life insurance contract as including a reference to a qualified accelerated death benefit rider on such contract. Title V: Incentives for Provision of Services in Rural Areas - Permits the deduction of the medical school loan interest incurred by doctors serving in medically underserved areas. Requires a State with a medically underserved area to develop a comprehensive health care plan for any such area.

To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide that the effective date for discontinuance of compensation and pension paid by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall be the date on which the recipient dies, rather than the last day of the preceding month, in the case of a veteran with a surviving spouse, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1993

Provides that the effective date for discontinuance of veterans' disability compensation and veterans' pension paid by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall be the date on which the recipient dies (currently the last day of the month preceding death) in the case of a veteran with a surviving spouse. Requires payments of such compensation to be made to the surviving spouse. Provides that the effective date for the award of dependency and indemnity compensation for which application is received within one year from the date of the veteran's death shall be the day following the date of death in the case of a surviving spouse.

United States-China Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1993

United States-China Act of 1993 - Prohibits the President from recommending for a 12-month period in 1994 continuation of a waiver of human rights and emigration requirements for nondiscriminatory treatment (most-favored-nation treatment) for China under the Trade Act of 1974 unless the President reports to the Congress that China has: (1) taken steps to adhere to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in China and Tibet and allowed the unrestricted emigration of Chinese citizens who desire to leave for reasons of political or religious persecution; (2) accounted for and released prisoners who dissented in Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989, and other citizens detained for the nonviolent expression of their political beliefs or the exercise of internationally guaranteed rights of freedom of speech, association, and assembly; (3) not supported or administered any program of coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization; and (4) prevented the export to the United States of products manufactured by convict or forced labor. Requires such report to state whether China has made significant process in: (1) ceasing religious persecution in China and Tibet (including ceasing to threaten the survival of the Tibetan culture) and releasing religious leaders incarcerated as a result of the expression of their religious beliefs; (2) ceasing unfair trade practices which restrict American business; (3) providing U.S. exporters fair access to Chinese markets, including lowering tariffs, removing nontariff barriers, and increasing the purchase of U.S. goods and services; (4) adhering to the Missile Control Technology Regime, the Nuclear Suppliers Group controls, and the Australian Group on Chemical and Biological Arms controls; (5) adhering to the Joint Declaration on Hong Kong; (6) accounting for U.S. military personnel listed as prisoners of war or missing in action with respect to the Korean and Vietnam conflicts; (7) ceasing the jamming of Voice of America broadcasts; and (8) providing humanitarian groups access to prisoners and places of detention. Requires the President, if he recommends such extension, to report on the extent of China's compliance with the above-mentioned objectives. Grants nondiscriminatory treatment to products produced by nonstate-owned enterprises in China. Declares that despite China's entry into the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), most-favored-nation treatment shall not automatically be conferred on Chinese products unless China satisfies the above-mentioned conditions. Requires the President, if he decides not to seek such extension, to ensure that members of the GATT take similar action with respect to China.

To amend title 10, United States Code, to strengthen the restrictions on the overhaul, repair, and maintenance of naval vessels in foreign shipyards.

United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1993

Prohibits any naval vessel (currently, any vessel the homeport of which is in the United States) from being overhauled, repaired, or maintained in a shipyard outside the United States.

To amend chapter 153 of title 10, United States Code, to permit the Secretary of Defense to provide certain property and services of the Department of Defense to certain educational entities.

United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1993

Authorizes the Secretary of Defense, in order to assist the United States Space Camp, the United States Space Academy, or the Aviation Challenge in achieving their educational goals, to sell, lease, lend, or give aircraft, vehicles, communications, training, or other equipment, supplies, or other materials to such entities and to permit such entities to use, on a reimbursable basis, Department of Defense facilities and, without reimbursement, the services of Department members or employees.

Impact Aid Reauthorization Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1993

Impact Aid Reauthorization Act of 1993 - Reauthorizes and revises Federal law relating to financial assistance for local educational agencies in areas affected by Federal activity (impact aid). Extends the authorization of appropriations and authorizes additional appropriations for deposit in a contingency fund. Requires certain reservations of funds for: (1) impact aid relating to Federal acquisition of real property; (2) the contingency fund; and (3) heavily impacted need areas. Requires forward funding. Adds a hold harmless provision under impact aid relating to Federal acquisition of real property, whereby no eligible local educational agency (LEA) shall receive less than 90 percent of the preceding year's amount in payment for any fiscal year. Revises impact aid relating to federally connected children with respect to computation of payments, giving various weights in the formula to different categories of such children (with more emphasis given to children living on Indian lands and children in special education programs). Revises provisions for sudden and substantial changes in attendance to include increases resulting from base closure or military realignment activities. Directs the Secretary of Education to report certain expenditures within 30 days and include certain costs in annual budget submissions. Authorizes appropriations. Revises the method of making Federal impact aid payments. Includes a learning opportunity threshold to allow eligible LEAs to provide all their children a basic opportunity to learn. Requires States to meet an adequacy threshold before they can apply for equalization of State aid payments to all LEAs. Establishes a National Advisory Panel on School Finance and Impact Aid Equalization. Directs the Secretary of Defense to reserve certain amounts to provide supplemental impact aid to LEAs in cases of high need related to military changes. Establishes the Department of Education Contingency Fund for special impact aid under certain conditions. Requires negotiated rulemaking under certain conditions.

Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1993

Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 1993 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase, effective December 1, 1993, the rates of and limitations on veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents of certain disabled veterans, the clothing allowance for certain service-disabled veterans, dependency and indemnity compensation, and supplemental dependency and indemnity compensation for children. Increases each such rate by the same percentage as the increase in benefit amounts under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to adjust administratively the rates of disability compensation payable to persons who are not in receipt of compensation for service-connected disability or death. Requires the Secretary to publish such increases in the Federal Register at the same time that percentage increases under title II of the Social Security Act are required to be published.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax incentives with respect to enterprise zones and areas affected by military base closings or reductions in military base employment.

United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1993

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Provisions Relating to Distressed Urban and Rural Areas Subtitle A: Designation and Tax Incentives Subtitle B: Redevelopment Bonds for Tax Enterprise Zones Title II: Areas Affected by Military Base Closings or Reductions in Military Base Employment Treated as Enterprise Zones Title I: Provisions Relating to Distressed Urban and Rural Areas - Declares it to be the purpose of this title to establish a demonstration program of providing incentives for the creation of tax enterprise zones in order to: (1) revitalize economically and physically distressed areas; (2) promote meaningful employment for zone residents; and (3) encourage individuals to reside in the zones in which they are employed. Subtitle A: Designation and Tax Incentives - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the designation of tax enterprise zones during calendar years after 1991 and before 1997: (1) by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, in the case of an urban tax enterprise zone; and (2) by the Secretary of Agriculture, in the case of a rural development investment zone. Sets forth the eligibility criteria for such designation for urban tax enterprise zones and for rural development investment zones. Makes areas within Indian reservations ineligible for such designations. Allows an enterprise zone employment credit as a general business credit of 15 percent of the qualified zone wages. Allows a deduction for the purchase of enterprise zone stock paid in cash. Excludes from gross income 50 percent of qualified capital gain recognized on the sale or exchange of a new qualified zone asset held for more than five years. Subtitle B: Redevelopment Bonds for Tax Enterprise Zones - Sets forth special rules for tax-exempt redevelopment bonds which provide financing for tax enterprise zones for the first 60-month period after a zone is so designated. Title II: Areas Affected by Military Base Closings or Reductions in Military Base Employment Treated as Enterprise Zones - Treats the following as tax enterprise zones for purposes of tax incentives set forth in this Act: (1) military installations selected for closure or substantial realignment under a base closure law; and (2) so much of the area around such installations as the Secretary of Commerce determines is adversely affected by closure or realignment. Provides that such zones shall be in addition to those designated under title I.

Interstate Child Support Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1993

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Locate and Case Tracking Title II: Establishment Title III: Parentage Title IV: Enforcement Title V: Collection and Distribution Title VI: Federal Role Title VII: State Role Title VIII: Jobs for Unemployed Noncustodial Parents Title IX: Effective Date Interstate Child Support Act of 1993 - Title I: Locate and Case Tracking - (Sec. 101) Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to allow the Federal Parent Locator Service (FPLS) to be used along with appropriate safeguards for parentage establishment and child support and visitation enforcement. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) denial of visitation rights under a child support order should be treated as irrelevant in any action to enforce its support provisions; and (2) failure to pay child support pursuant to such an order should be treated likewise in any action to enforce visitation rights. (Sec. 102) Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to enter into an agreement to provide the Secretary (Secretary) of Health and Human Services (HHS) with access to quarterly estimated Federal income tax returns filed with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Requires that: (1) State agencies charged with child support enforcement maintain child support order registries and be allowed access to medical, financial, employment, and other specified data base information on absent parents; (2) registry information from each State be sent to the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) (designated under title VI of this Act) within HHS for a national registry of all State child support orders. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary should investigate accessing certain Federal data banks not linked with FPLS. (Sec. 103) Requires the Secretary to expand FPLS to provide State agencies and courts with a national locate and case tracking network. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the network should be used to access State records only through the agency administering the State's part D plan. (Sec. 104) Requires that private attorneys and pro se obligees be given access, in accordance with appropriate safeguards, to State locate resources and enforcement techniques with respect to child support, visitation, and parentage orders. (Sec. 105) Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to require employers to withhold from employee wages amounts owed for child support. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to modify the W-4 form completed by new employees in order to enable employers to obtain employee child support and other information for the appropriate State employment security agency. (Sec. 106) Requires the heads of national and regional individual tracking systems to allow child support enforcement agencies access to their information for paternity or child support purposes. (Secs. 107 and 109) Requires that States: (1) broadcast warrants issued in child support proceedings over their crime information systems; (2) remit, in a criminal case, to any individual owed child support any security posted by or on behalf of the individual owing the support and then forfeited, to the extent of any arrearage in support owed; and (3) have procedures to obtain access to financial records for purposes of child support establishment and enforcement. Title II: Establishment - (Sec. 201) Amends the Federal judicial code to establish the jurisdictional basis for State court recognition, enforcement, and modification of parentage and child support orders of other States. (Sec. 202) Amends SSA title IV part D to provide for service of process on Federal employees and members of the armed forces in connection with parentage and child support proceedings. (Secs. 203 through 205, 209, 211, 213, and 214) Requires that: (1) parents' identification and locate information be filed with the appropriate adjudicating entity in parentage and child support actions; (2) there be appropriate safeguards on such information where a court has ordered that the custodial parent or child receive physical protection against the noncustodial parent; (3) appropriate administrative agencies make reasonable attempts to timely notify any individual owed child support of any proceeding to establish, modify, or enforce the support obligation; (4) States allow parties seeking both parentage and child support establishment in a judicial proceeding to bring a joint action in a single cause of action; (5) States provide for continuation of parental child support obligations until they terminate as described; (6) States allow parties to participate in interstate parentage and child support proceedings by telephonic means; (7) marriage licenses, birth certificates, and divorce and parentage decrees contain social security numbers; and (8) appropriate State agencies be allowed subpoena power in connection with child support hearings. Sets forth guidelines for uniform State procedures regarding jurisdiction and venue in parentage and child support cases. (Sec. 209) Expresses the sense of the Congress that, if children receive child support while obtaining postsecondary education, they will attain higher levels of education affording them a greater chance to break the welfare cycle. (Sec. 206) Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA) to allow appropriate State agencies to obtain from credit reporting agencies information for establishing and modifying child support awards. (Sec. 207) Creates a National Child Support Guidelines Commission to study and report to the President and the Congress on national child support guidelines, and to develop such guidelines for congressional consideration should it be advisable. (Sec. 208) Amends SSA title IV part D to specify certain principles to be used in accordance with the application of State child support guidelines. (Secs. 210 and 212) Requires the new OCSE Assistant Secretary to develop a: (1) national subpoena duces tecum for distribution to child support agencies and others to use to reach income information; and (2) uniform abstract of a child support order for State court use. (Sec. 215) Requires the Legal Services Corporation to ensure the use of a specified amount of funding for child support cases. (Secs. 216 and 217) Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) children on Indian reservations be accorded the same right of support currently afforded to off-reservation children; (2) State and tribal governments should, to the greatest extent possible, ensure that jurisdictional issues do not prevent any Indian child from receiving the support to which the child is entitled; and (3) States should work with community-based organizations with ties to underserved populations to develop better methods to reach and work with such populations to encourage the filing of more support orders. (Sec. 216) Amends the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 to require Indian tribes to give full faith and credit to child support orders of other Indian tribes, to the extent such entities already give full faith and credit to the acts, records, and proceedings of the other entity. (Sec. 217) Amends SSA title IV part D to set forth specific measures designed to secure child support services in underserved areas and combat domestic violence. Title III: Parentage - (Sec. 301) Amends SSA title IV part D to: (1) require States to provide for hospital-based paternity outreach programs and adopt various specified procedures for voluntary paternity acknowledgment; and (2) provide for 90 percent Federal matching for such programs. Expresses the sense of the Congress that, in a proceeding to establish paternity, once paternity is alleged, the burden of proof should shift to the alleged father. Title IV: Enforcement - (Secs. 401 through 403, 405 through 411, 413 through 417, 420, and 424 through 426) Amends SSA title IV part D to: (1) (Sec. 401) require States to mandate that any individual or entity engaged in commerce, as a condition of doing business in that State, comply with wage withholding orders issued by any State court or administrative agency, and keep records of wages withheld for child support; (2) (Sec. 402) specify the priority for applying amounts withheld from income for child support and child health insurance; (3) (Sec. 403) subject to withholding for child support income from workers' compensation and other specified Federal sources; (4) (Sec. 405) prohibit State court application of the election of remedies doctrine to prevent collection of child support; (5) (Secs. 406-407) deny State occupational, professional, and business licenses, and driver's licenses and vehicle registrations to delinquent noncustodial parents; (6) (Secs. 408-410) authorize liens on vehicle titles, seizure of bank accounts, and holds on lottery winnings, settlements, payouts, bequests, and proceeds from the sale of forfeited property to satisfy child support arrearages; (7) (Sec. 411) require States to make a rebuttable presumption that any transfer of property by an individual who owes a child support arrearage is made with the intent to avoid payment of the arrearage; (8) (Sec. 412) revise the mechanism for collection of past-due child support from Federal tax refunds to cover additional children; (9) (Sec. 414) authorize attachment of retirement plan interests without a separate court order to satisfy child support arrearages; (9) (Sec. 415) mandate reporting monthly child support obligations to credit bureaus; (10) (Sec. 416) permit enforcement of any child support order until the child is at least 30; (11) (Sec. 417) require interest on all child support judgments; (12) (Sec. 420) require States to adopt the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act adopted by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform Laws in August 1992; (13) (Sec. 424) allow State courts to order the assignment of life insurance benefits and interests in jointly held property to satisfy child support arrearages; and (14) (Sec. 426) require States to treat international child support cases in the same manner as interstate child support cases. (Sec. 404) Amends CCPA with respect to State laws and garnishments for securing child support. Gives Federal debts a lower priority than child support debts when the obligor's disposable income cannot satisfy both debts through withholding. Prohibts employers from discharging any employee whose earnings are subject to garnishment for additional indebtedness arising from a child support order. (Sec. 406) Denies Federal occupational, professional, and business licenses of delinquent individuals until the license hold is released. (Sec. 412) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the IRS Commissioner should instruct IRS field officers and agents to give a high priority to requests for the use of full collection in delinquent child support cases. Requires the Secretary of Treasury to simplify the full collection process and reduce the amount of child support arrearage needed before an individual may apply for full collection. (Sec. 418) Amends the Federal bankruptcy code to: (1) allow parentage and child support case establishment, modification, and enforcement to proceed uninterrupted after a bankruptcy petition is filed; (2) treat as outside chapter 11, 12, or 13 plans any debt owed to child support creditors, except as specified; and (3) allow a claim for payment of a debt for child support to be asserted in court. (Sec. 419) Sets forth requirements pertaining to parentage establishment and child support payments in the armed forces. (Sec. 421) Directs the Comptroller General and Secretary of the Treasury to study an annual reconciliation process for paying child support arrearages as part of the Federal income tax process. (Sec. 422) Authorizes the Secretary of State to refuse, revoke, or restrict passports in cases where the applicant or holder is a noncustodial parent subject to a State arrest warrant for nonpayment of a substantial child support arrearage. (Sec. 423) Prohibits Federal benefits, loans, guarantees, and employment for individuals owing certain child support arrearages. (Sec. 426) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should ratify the United Nations Convention of 1956. Title V: Collection and Distribution - (Secs. 501 through 504) Amends SSA title IV part D to: (1) set priorities for State distribution of child support collections; (2) require States to limit claims against noncustodial parents for reimbursement of a child's portion of AFDC to the amount in the child support order; (3) revise part D plan provisions concerning fees; and (4) require States to provide for collection and disbursement points for child support cases. (Sec. 501) Requires Comptroller General studies and pilot projects with respect to requiring State systems to pay the child support collected under a State plan to the individuals to whom the support is owed before making any payment to reimburse any State for AFDC provided with respect to the child in question. Amends IRC to revise the Federal income tax refund offset mechanism. (Sec. 505) Expresses the sense of the Congress that States should encourage parents to use the State child support agency to process and distribute child support payments. Title VI: Federal Role - (Sec. 601) Amends SSA title IV part D to: (1) designate the separate organizational unit currently charged with various parentage and child support responsibilities as the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE); and (2) change OCSE's organizational structure. (Secs. 602 and 603) Requires: (1) the new OCSE Assistant Secretary to provide training assistance to the States; (2) States to provide for training of child support personnel; and (3) the Secretary to study staffing at State child support enforcement programs and reduce payments to States that have not implemented recommended staffing levels. (Sec. 604) Requires the Secretary to: (1) authorize demonstration projects to test alternative approaches to incentive funding for State child support programs; and (2) reduce payments to States which have not reinvested incentive payments in their child support programs. Provides that "support" under SSA title IV part D with respect to incentive payments to States includes premiums paid for health insurance coverage pursuant to a support order. Expresses the sense of the Congress that States should not use amounts paid to them pursuant to SSA title IV part D, which are reinvested in child support activities, to supplant State funding of such activities. (Secs. 606, 607, and 611) Requires the Secretary to: (1) contract for a study of OCSE's audit process to develop criteria and methodology for auditing activities of State child support enforcement agencies; and (2) provide for State demonstration projects for the purpose of ensuring that custodial parents owed child support have a consistent source of income for the support of their children. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) (Sec. 607) children should have a consistent source of income to meet their education and medical needs; (2) the provision of public assistance to a custodial parent for the support of a child with respect to whom the noncustodial parent owes child support does not absolve the latter of the obligation to provide such support; (3) the States must continue to vigorously pursue efforts to establish parentage, and establish and enforce child support obligations; and (4) (Sec. 611) OCSE should develop a mechanism to publicize the best State practices in child support. (Sec. 608) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish in the Treasury a Children's Trust Fund to hold the contributions designated by individuals on their tax returns for funding child support programs. (Secs. 609 through 612) Requires: (1) the Comptroller General to study and report to the Congress on delinquent child support payments and the effectiveness of administrative vs. judicial adjudication of parentage and child support cases; and (2) OCSE to produce and update a certain compendium of State child support laws published by the National Conference of State Legislatures, and establish a permanent child support advisory committee. Title VII: State Role - (Secs. 701, 702, and 704) Amends SSA title IV part D to require States to: (1) promote the greatest economic security possible for children, within the obligor's ability to pay; (2) provide custodial parents with certain information on child support cases and the services available under their part D plans; and (3) require any changes in child support payees to be made only through administrative procedures. (Secs. 703, 705, and 706) Expresses the sense of the Congress that States should: (1) work closely with parents to improve the quality of child support services; (2) have offices in areas accessible to public transportation with convenient hours that allow parents to meet privately with attorneys and caseworkers; and (3) establish administrative procedures to process child support cases and a child support council to recommend improvements in State paternity and child support programs. Title VIII: Jobs for Unemployed Noncustodial Parents - (Sec. 801) Expresses the sense of the Congress that any Federal program to provide jobs for noncustodial parents should be administered so as not to adversely affect any Federal program for custodial parents. Requires the Secretary to transmit evaluations of certain projects under the JOBS program under SSA title IV part F (Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training Program) to the Secretary of Labor for study and possible action, including authorizing States to provide services of greater scope and duration to unemployed noncustodial parents under such program. Title IX: Effective Date - (Sec. 901) Sets forth the effective date of this Act.

Maritime Administration Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994

United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1993

Maritime Administration Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994 - Authorizes appropriations for the Maritime Administration for: (1) operating-differential subsidies; (2) manpower, education, and training; (3) operating programs; and (4) national security support capabilities; (5) administrative costs related to new Federal ship mortgage insurance loan guarantees; and (6) costs of such guarantees. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to use proceeds from the sale or disposal of National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF) vessels for facility and ship maintenance, modernization and repair, acquisition of equipment, training simulators, and fuel costs necessary to maintain training at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and the State maritime academies. Authorizes the Secretary to designate National Shipbuilding Enhancement Institutes. Allows an Institute's activities to include such activities as: (1) developing vessel construction and repair technology; (2) enhancing domestic shipyards' international competitiveness; and (3) fostering innovations in the domestic shipbuilding marketing system. Authorizes grants to any designated Institute. Requires a State maritime academy receiving Federal assistance under specified provisions to reimburse individuals, from Federal funds provided for such purposes, for any charge paid by the individual for issuance, evaluation, or examination for an entry level license or merchant mariner's document. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes awards to National Maritime Enhancement Institutes on an equal or partial matching (currently, on an equal matching) basis. Removes a limit on the aggregate annual amount of the Federal share of awards. Repeals provisions, scheduled to go into effect in 1994, requiring State maritime academy students in merchant marine officer preparation programs to pass a licensing examination in order to graduate. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a contract for the maintenance of the NDRF, including the Ready Reserve Force, only for specified services. Directs the Secretary to maintain, in a reduced operating status, certain vessels in the Ready Reserve. Provides for a vessel repair and maintenance pilot program.

To amend the base closure laws to require the Secretary of Defense to transfer real property and facilities at military installations being closed or realigned to States and other entities that agree to convert the property and facilities into correctional facilities for youthful offenders to be operated as military-style boot camps and to require the Secretary to develop a program to promote the expanded use of such correctional facilities.

United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1993

Amends the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 and the Defense Authorization Amendments and Base Closure and Realignment Act to require the Secretary of Defense, before any action is taken with respect to the disposal or transfer of real property at a military facility being closed or realigned, to notify the State and each local government in which the facility is located, as well as other interested persons, of the suitability of the property or facility for conversion and use as a youthful offender boot camp. Requires the State, local government, or interested party to whom such real property is so transferred to certify that the property or facilities will be promptly converted and used for such purpose. Directs the Secretary to develop a model program intended to incorporate military basic training, instruction, and disciplinary procedures into the design and operation of youthful offender boot camps at the Federal, State, and local levels. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to reallocate between public agencies and private nonprofit organizations the percentage of grant funds authorized under such Act for correctional options that provide alternatives to traditional modes of incarceration and offender release programs.

Designating July 17 through July 23, 1993, as "National Veterans Golden Age Games Week".

United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1993

Designates July 17 through 23, 1993, as National Veterans Golden Age Games Week.

Product Liability Fairness Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1993

Product Liability Fairness Act - Title I - Declares that this Act governs any product liability action brought against a manufacturer or product seller, on any theory, for harm caused by a product. States that a civil action brought against a manufacturer or product seller for loss or damage to a product itself or commercial loss shall be governed by applicable commercial or contract law. Supersedes any inconsistent State law regarding recovery in such actions. Lists specific laws not superseded, including: (1) defense of sovereign immunity asserted by any State or by the United States; (2) any Federal law (except the Federal Employees Compensation Act and the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act); (3) the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976; (4) State choice-of-law rules; (5) the right of any court to transfer venue or to apply the law of a foreign nation or to dismiss a claim of a foreign nation or citizen on the ground of inconvenient forum; and (6) any statutory or common law cause of action, including an action to abate a nuisance, that authorizes a State or person to institute an action for civil damages or civil penalties, cleanup costs, injunctions, restitution, cost recovery, punitive damages, or any other form of relief from contamination or pollution of the environment or the threat of it. Declares that U.S. district courts shall not have jurisdiction over any civil action under this Act, based on specified provisions of Federal law relating to district court jurisdiction. Declares that, if any provision of this Act would shorten the period during which a manufacturer or seller would otherwise be exposed to liability, the claimant may, notwithstanding that period, bring any civil action under this Act within one year after the effective date of this Act. Title II - Allows any claimant to bring a civil action for damages against a person for harm caused by a product under applicable State law, except to the extent such law is superseded by this title. Sets forth expedited settlement measures, including: (1) an option to include an offer of settlement, for a specific dollar amount, by the plaintiff in the complaint and by the defendant in a responsive pleading; and (2) awarding attorney's fees and costs, in certain circumstances, to the prevailing party if the other party does not accept the settlement offer. Sets forth alternative dispute resolution procedures, including: (1) an option, in lieu of or in addition to a settlement offer, for a claimant or a defendant to offer to proceed under any voluntary alternative dispute resolution procedure established or recognized under the law of the State in which the action is brought or maintained; and (2) awarding of attorney's fees and costs to the offering party if the court determines that a refusal to so proceed was unreasonable or not in good faith. Creates a rebuttable presumption that a refusal to so proceed was unreasonable, or not in good faith, if a verdict is rendered in favor of the offeror. Title III - Allows a person seeking to recover for harm caused by a product to bring a civil action against the manufacturer or seller under applicable State or Federal law, except to the extent such law is superseded by this Act. Establishes a standard of product seller liability for proximate causes of harm, established by a preponderance of the evidence, which fall under the categories of negligence or express warranty. Sets forth: (1) limitations on the award of punitive damages; and (2) statutes of limitation. Requires reduction in the damages awarded by the sum of all State or Federal workers' compensation benefits to which the employee is or would be entitled. Prohibits a third party tortfeasor, where workers' compensation is involved, from maintaining any action for implied indemnity or contribution against the employer, any coemployee, or the exclusive representative of the injured person, with exceptions. Declares that, in any product liability action, the liability of each defendant for noneconomic damages shall be several and not joint. Requires the trier of fact to determine the proportion of responsibility of each party for the claimant's harm. Establishes a complete defense, in any civil action under this Act in which all defendants are manufacturers or sellers, that the claimant was under the influence of alcohol or any drug and that, as a result, the claimant was more than 50 percent responsible for the event which resulted in the harm.

Combat Era Servicepersons' Readjustment Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1993

Combat Era Servicepersons' Readjustment Act of 1993 - Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to add a new chapter which implements the Persian Gulf War Educational Assistance Program. Makes eligible for full educational assistance under the Program each veteran of the Persian Gulf War (War) who either: (1) served on active duty for 90 days or more during the War, and was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable; (2) was in a reserve or National Guard component before August 2, 1990, and served during the War on active duty on or after such date, and was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable; or (3) was discharged or released from active duty any part of which was performed during the War, or following entrance into active service after enlistment or assignment in the reserve or National Guard, because of a service-connected disability. Outlines educational assistance entitlement provisions, limitations, and exceptions. Allows an active-duty veteran of the War to use any unused educational entitlement for pursuing: (1) a program of apprenticeship or other on-job training; (2) a course with an approved vocational objective; or (3) a program of secondary education, if the veteran does not have a secondary school diploma or equivalency certificate. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide such a veteran with necessary employment counseling. Directs the Secretary to make available counseling and other services deemed necessary to aid such veteran in selecting: (1) an educational objective and the educational institution appropriate for achieving such objective; or (2) an employment objective in light of the veteran's personal circumstances. Allows each eligible veteran under this Act to select a program of education at any educational institution approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs and selected by the veteran, which will accept and retain the veteran in any field which such institution finds the veteran qualified to undertake or pursue. Disapproves certain courses for educational assistance under this Act. Directs the Secretary to discontinue the educational assistance allowance of an eligible veteran if the Secretary finds at any time that the veteran's attendance, conduct, or progress is unsatisfactory. Allows the Secretary to renew such assistance under limited circumstances. Directs the Secretary to provide educational assistance to each eligible veteran under this Act in the form of a monthly educational assistance allowance. Outlines provisions concerning the computation of such monthly allowance. Requires all courses of education to be approved by the Department before such allowances are paid. Authorizes any eligible veteran to pursue a program of apprenticeship or other on-job training, or a program of education exclusively by correspondence and be paid an allowance under appropriate provisions. Provides for the payment of an additional educational assistance allowance in the form of a work-study allowance to individuals performing certain work services while attending educational courses or receiving apprenticeship or other on-job training. Outlines work-study allowance requirements, limitations, and conditions. Requires an individual entitled to educational assistance under this Act and also entitled to educational assistance under another Federal program to elect a single program for such assistance. Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions with respect to the Montgomery GI Bill basic educational assistance program to provide that the amount by which an individual's basic pay is reduced on or after August 1, 1990, shall be deemed to be payable to such individual as readjustment assistance and paid to such individual by the Secretary. Provides that all members who enter onto active duty after August 2, 1990, shall be deemed to have elected to receive educational assistance. Makes identical revisions for the Selected Reserve. Increases the amount of monthly educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill program and directs (current law authorizes) the Secretary to make such payments and to increase annually the amount of such payments by the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index. Authorizes appropriations from the Defense Cooperation Account for payments in FY 1992 through 1995 of the costs of educational assistance programs established under this Act. Designates such costs as incremental costs associated with Operation Desert Storm and therefore exempt from sequestration under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act).

Ashton B. Carter, of Massachusetts, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense, vice David S. C. Chu, resigned.

United States · United States Senate · 29 April 1993

Edwin Dorn, of Texas, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense, vice Christopher Jehn, resigned.

United States · United States Senate · 29 April 1993

Edward L. Warner, III, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense, vice Colin Riley McMillan, resigned.

United States · United States Senate · 29 April 1993

Anita K. Jones, of Virginia, to be Director of Defense Research and Engineering, vice Victor H. Reis, resigned.

United States · United States Senate · 29 April 1993

Goals 2000: Educate America Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1993

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: National Education Goals Title II: National Education Reform Leadership, Standards, and Assessments Title III: State and Local Education Systemic Improvement Title IV: National Skill Standards Board Title V: Miscellaneous Goals 2000: Educate America Act - Title I: National Education Goals - (Sec. 102) Sets forth national goals for education, to be achieved by the year 2000, in the following categories: (1) school readiness; (2) school completion; (3) student achievement and citizenship; (4) mathematics and science; (5) adult literacy and lifelong learning; and (6) safe, disciplined, and drug-free schools. Sets forth specific objectives for each goal. Title II: National Education Reform Leadership Standards, and Assessments - Part A: National Education Goals Panel - (Sec. 202) Establishes the National Education Goals Panel in the executive branch. (Sec. 203) Requires the Panel to issue an annual national report card on progress toward achieving the national education goals and on actions that Federal, State, and local governments should take to enhance such progress. Part B: National Education Standards and Improvement Council - (Sec. 212) Establishes the National Education Standards and Improvement Council in the executive branch. (Sec. 213) Requires the Council to develop and certify (subject to Panel review and approval) voluntary national standards for content areas, student performance, and fair opportunity-to-learn. Authorizes the Council to certify any such standards presented by a State, if these are consistent with the national standards. Directs the Council to certify a system of assessments voluntarily presented by a State if such system meets certain criteria, including coverage of all students, especially those with disabilities or limited English proficiency. Prohibits such a system from being used to make decisions regarding graduation, grade promotion, or retention of students for five years after enactment of this Act. (Sec. 218) Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make a competitive grant to a consortium of various individuals and organizations to develop voluntary national opportunity-to-learn standards. (Sec. 219) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to applicant States and local educational agencies (LEAs) to help defray costs of developing, field testing, and evaluating systems of assessments aligned to Council-certified State content standards. Part C: Authorization of Appropriations - (Sec. 221) Authorizes appropriations for the Panel, the Council, the opportunity-to-learn development grant, and the assessment development and evaluation grants. Title III: State and Local Education Systemic Improvement - Establishes a five-year grant program for State and local education systemic improvement. (Sec. 303) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 306) Sets forth requirements for State improvement plans, including strategies for: (1) improving teaching and learning (including standards for content, student performance, and opportunity-to-learn); (2) system governance and management; (3) parental and community support and involvement; (4) State system-wide improvement; and (5) promoting bottom-up reform. (Sec. 309) Requires State education agencies (SEAs) to make competitive subgrants for: (1) local reform, to LEAs; and (2) preservice teacher education and professional development activities, to consortia of LEAs, higher education institutions, private nonprofit organizations, or combinations of these, through a peer-review process. Requires that at least 50 percent of local reform subgrants be awarded to LEAs with a greater percentage or number of disadvantaged children than the statewide average. (Sec. 310) Authorizes the Secretary to waive requirements and related regulations of specified Federal laws relating to education upon request of SEAs, LEAs, and schools if such requirements impede their ability to carry out the State or local education improvement plans, and if other conditions are met. (Sec. 312) Authorizes the Secretary to provide for national leadership activities, including technical assistance, data-gathering, research, evaluation, and information-dissemination. Reserves funds for grants to urban and rural LEAs with large numbers of concentrations of students economically disadvantaged or with limited English proficiency, to assist in school improvement plans development and implementation. (Sec. 313) Provides for assistance under this title for outlying areas, Bureau of Indian Affairs schools, and Department of Defense schools. Title IV: National Skill Standards Board - (Sec. 402) Establishes a National Skill Standards Board. (Sec. 40) Directs the Board to identify broad clusters of major occupations (except certain construction industry occupations or trades with recognized labor-management-developed apprenticeship standards) that involve one or more industries in the United States and, with respect to each cluster, promote and assist in voluntary development and adoption by specified representative groups of industries, employees, and educational institutions of: (1) skill standards; (2) assessment and certification systems; (3) evaluation systems; (4) information dissemination systems; and (5) revision and updating of systems. Provides for Board endorsement of standards. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to make grants and contracts to carry out purposes of this title. (Sec. 406) Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Miscellaneous - (Sec. 502) Prohibits the use of funds under titles II or III of this Act to undertake assessments that will be used to make decisions regarding the graduation, grade promotion, or retention of students for five years from the enactment of this Act.

Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1993

Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1993 - Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to revise generally provisions relating to the employment and reemployment rights of members of the uniformed services. States that a person's entitlement to rights and benefits under this Act is dependent upon an honorable discharge from the armed forces and, therefore, will be terminated in cases of a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge or a separation, release, or dismissal under conditions other than honorable. Prohibits the denial of initial employment, reemployment, retention in employment, promotion, or any benefit of employment by an employer against a person who is a member of, applies for membership in, or performs, has performed, applies to perform, or has an obligation to perform service in a uniformed service on the basis of such service or obligation. Prohibits an employer from discriminating in employment or taking any adverse employment action against any person who has acted to enforce a protection afforded by this Act. Excuses an employer from such reemployment requirements if changed circumstances make reemployment impossible or unreasonable or if reemployment would impose an undue hardship on such employer (with the burden of proof of such circumstances on the employer in such cases). Entitles any person absent from employment by reason of the performance of military service to the rights and benefits of this Act if: (1) the person has given advance notice of such service to the employer; (2) the cumulative length of such absence and any previous absences from employment by reason of military service does not exceed five years; and (3) the person reports or applies to such employer upon completion of such service in accordance with requirements enumerated under this Act. Excuses employer notice when precluded by military necessity or when otherwise impossible or unreasonable. Outlines certain conditions under which a person shall remain entitled to such employment and reemployment rights even though the cumulative length of military service exceeds five years. Outlines provisions concerning: (1) employee reporting requirements upon completion of military service, including the presentation of documentation of such military service to the employer; (2) the positions (same or substantially similar) to which the returning employee shall be entitled; and (3) reemployment rights of a person employed by the Federal Government before such military service. Entitles a person reemployed after military service to all seniority and other rights and benefits (including pension benefits and coverage under the appropriate health plan) that such person would have attained if the employment had not been interrupted by miliary service. Directs the Secretary of Labor to assist all eligible persons with respect to employment and reemployment rights and benefits. Outlines procedures for assistance, investigation of complaints, and enforcement of such rights and benefits against Federal, State, or private employers. Directs the Secretary to provide those persons performing qualifying military service, as well as their employers, with information relating to their reemployment and other rights, benefits, and obligations. Provides for the continuation of contributions to the Thrift Savings Plan for enrolled persons performing such military service.