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Bill· HRH.R. 2258 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1991
Freedom from Want Act - Title I: Domestic Assistance Programs - Part A: Nutrition, Education, and Health Care - Expresses the sense of the Congress that it should make a commitment to increasing participation in the special supplemental food program for women, infants, and children (the WIC program) by 20 percent in each of FY 1992 through 1996, so that the goal of full participation may be reached by the end of FY 1996. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Head Start Act should be fully funded so that the goal of participation of all eligible three- and four-year-old children in Head Start programs can be achieved by FY 1994. Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to increase the reimbursement provided by the Department of Agriculture for congregate and home-delivered meals for older Americans to 65.66 cents in FY 1992, with adjustments for inflation in FY 1993 and 1994. Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to undertake a Children's Vaccine Initiative, for research, development, testing, and evaluation of children's vaccines, and for assisting in delivery of such vaccines in the United States and throughout the world. Directs the Secretary of HHS to consult with the World Health Organization and the United Nation's Children's Fund in organizing such Initiative. Requires the Director of the National Vaccine Program to plan and coordinate such Initiative, and ensure that the Public Health Service conducts activities under the Initiative in collaboration with nongovernment institutions and other Federal agencies. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to ensure that rules issued under the Federal Meat Inspection Act that impose labeling standards for any meat or meat food product sold or offered for sale in commerce also impose equivalent labeling standards for meat or meat food products distributed by the Department of Agriculture through domestic commodity food assistance programs. Part B: Individual Development Account Demonstration - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction for payments (other than certain assistance from an organization of a demonstration project under this part) made by or on behalf of eligible individuals to an individual development account (IDA) to accumulate funds to pay the following qualified expenses: (1) postsecondary education expenses; (2) first-home purchase; (3) business capitalization; (4) retirement expenses; and (5) transfers to an IDA of the individual's spouse or dependent. Sets forth requirements relating to such IDAs. Establishes five-year IDA demonstration projects to determine: (1) the social, psychological, and economic effects of providing to individuals with limited means an opportunity to accumulate assets; and (2) the extent to which an asset-based welfare policy may be used to enable individuals with low income to achieve economic self-sufficiency. Allows any organization to apply to the Secretary of the Treasury for grants to conduct such a project. Requires each organization authorized to conduct such a project to establish a Reserve Fund drawn from investments, public and private funds, and IDA penalty amounts. Requires the organization to use Reserve Fund amounts to: (1) assist project participants in obtaining skills and information to achieve economic self-sufficiency through activities requiring IDA qualified expenses; (2) provide financial assistance to the IDAs of individuals selected by the organization to participate in the project; (3) administer the project; and (4) provide the organization evaluating the project with necessary information. Directs the organization to invest Reserve Fund amounts that are not immediately needed to carry out such project fund uses. Limits the administrative expenses. Requires that unused Federal grant funds be transferred to the Secretary when the project terminates. Makes eligible for IDA demonstration project assistance any individual who is a member of a household with: (1) a household income for the immediately preceding calendar year of not more th an 200 percent of the poverty threshold; and (2) a household net worth, as of the close of such year, of not more than $20,000. Directs the project organization to select individuals whom the organization deems suited to receive such assistance. Sets forth a table for organization contributions to an individual's IDA, based on: (1) the individual income for the applicable period, as a percentage of the poverty threshold; and (2) matched with the lesser of either a specified percentage of the qualified savings of the individual for the period, or a specified dollar amount. Provides for a greater organization contribution for individuals with lower incomes. Requires local control over demonstration projects by giving the organization sole authority over project administration, and allowing the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe only regulations that are necessary to ensure compliance with approved applications and this Act. Requires each project organization to prepare ten semiannual progress reports for an oversight panel, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Treasurer (or equivalent official) of the State in which the project is conducted. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish an oversight panel for such demonstration projects. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to revoke the original authorization for a demonstration project upon receipt of a notice that the project has failed to implement the oversight panel's recommendations. Sets forth required revocation actions and procedures. Requires the oversight panel to enter into a contract with an independent research organization to evaluate the IDA demonstration projects, individually and as a group, addressing specified questions. Authorizes appropriations for IDA demonstration projects. Requires that funds in the IDAs of demonstration project participants to be disregarded for purposes of all means-tested Federal programs. Part C: Microenterprise Programs - Amends the Social Security Act to include microenterprise training programs under the JOBS program under provisions for aid to families with dependent children (AFDC). Requires adjustment of performance standards for microenterprises to take account of the time required for their establishment. Provides for limited exclusions of microenterprise resources and income under the AFDC program. Defines a microenterprise as a commercial enterprise which has five or fewer employees, one or more of whom owns the enterprise; and (2) none of the owners of which has income exceeding 200 percent of the poverty threshold. Authorizes States to waive Federal AFDC requirements with respect to participants in State-approved microenterpise programs. Provides that participation in such State-approved microenterprise programs shall not affect the participants' means-tested Federal benefits. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to make microenterprises eligible for rural development loans and grants. Expresses the sense of the Congress that one percent of funds for specified types of rural development assistance should be reserved for certain purposes relating to microenterprises. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act to make microenterprises eligible for assistance under community development block grants. Provides that certain assisted activities relating to microenterprises shall be considered to benefit persons of low and moderate income. Expresses the sense of the Congress that each grantee under the community development block grant program should reserve one percent of any grant received to provide assistance to facilitate commercial economic development through microenterprises. Amends the Small Business Act to express the sense of the Congress that: (1) one percent of specified funds for small business loans should be reserved for specified purposes relating to microenterprises; and (2) the Small Business Administrator should take such other necessary actions to maximize participation by microenterprises in programs under such Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958. Provides for small business loans for microenterprises. Amends the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) to authorize the use of funds for training activities with respect to microenterprises. Directs the State Governor to adjust performance standards relating to microenterprises to reflect the time required to establish and develop a stable income from such an enterprise as participants seek to achieve economic self-sufficiency. Provides for JTPA microenterprise grants. Directs the Secretary of Labor, from specified funds for FY 1992 through 1996, to make grants in limited amounts to not more than ten States per year to implement and enhance community-based microenterprise activities. Requires State matching funds and annual reports. Authorizes appropriations for such microenterprise grants. Part D: Increasing the Food Purchasing Power of Low-Income Households - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants to up to 20 nonprofit community-based organizations to carry out food retailing development projects to: (1) increase the access of individuals residing in communities underserved by supermarkets to more affordable and quality food; and (2) strengthen the operation of existing food retail stores in underserved communities by providing such stores with services that lower costs, improve management, and increase the quality and nutritional value of food inventories. Sets forth priorities in selecting grantees. Sets forth requirements for grant expenditures. Authorizes appropriations for such food retailing development program. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants to up to ten eligible entities to carry out a food stamp and producer direct marketing demonstration project to: (1) increase retail marketing opportunities for local agricultural producers through farmers markets, roadside stands, and other means; (2) increase the access to and consumption of fresh, perishable agricultural commodities by low-income individuals; (3) identify and implement successful strategies to increase the number of agricultural producers certified to redeem food stamp coupons in exchange for commodities sold directly to coupon recipients; and (4) increase the number of food stamp recipients who use such coupons to purchase such commodities from agricultural producers. Sets forth requirements for grant expenditures. Defines an eligible entity as a community-based organization with strong ties to both the farming community and to an anti-hunger organization. Authorizes appropriations for such food stamp and producer direct marketing demonstration program. Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to revise WIC farmers' market demonstration programs. Increases from ten to 20 the number of States allowed to provide WIC participants with coupons to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables from farmers markets. Sets forth requirements for program reports and review. Authorizes appropriations. Part E: Assessing Food Security within Communities - Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to provide for regional centers for community food security. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Federal Extension Service, to make competitive grants to seven land grant colleges and universities to establish seven regional centers for community food security, with one of them designated to serve as a coordinating center. Sets forth requirements for selection of recipients, use of grants, prohibited uses, term of grants, performance evaluations, and annual reports. Defines food security as the ability of all people at all times to purchase or receive from usual food sources enough nutritionally adequate food for an active and healthy life. Part F: Findings Regarding Communities Making the Transition to Hunger-Free Status - Expresses the sense of the Congress regarding criteria for communities making the transition to food secure status. Part G: Infant Mortality Reduction - Subpart 1: Low Birthweight and Infant Mortality - Establishes within the Department of Health and Human Services a program to make grants to States, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations to establish demonstration projects to reduce infant mortality by reducing the incidence of low birthweight births in high-risk communities. Sets forth grant application requirements and preferences in awards. Directs the Secretary of HHS to: (1) establish an Infant Mortality Advisory Panel; and (2) evaluate such projects and provide technical assistance to grantees. Requires annual reports from grantees. Limits project duration to three years. Authorizes appropriations. Subpart 2: Breast Feeding and Infant Morbidity and Mortality Study - Directs the Secretary of HHS to establish a program to award grants to conduct studies of the impact of breastfeeding on infant mortality and morbidity in certain high-risk populations. Authorizes appropriations for each fiscal year for conducting such study. Part H: Amendments to the Food Stamp Act of 1977 - Mickey Leland Childhood Hunger Relief Act - Subpart 1: General Provisions - Sets forth general provisions. Subpart 2: Ensuring Adequate Food Assistance - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to remove the excess shelter deduction cap for purposes of food stamp program (program) eligibility. (Sets forth transitional caps through FY 1995.) Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to adjust the basic benefit level upwards by specified increments at the beginning of each fiscal year until it reaches 105 percent of the cost of the thrifty food plan. Eliminates food stamp reductions for households reapplying for program reinstatement within 30 days. Excludes third party payments for transitional housing for the homeless from consideration as program income. Increases funding for the nutrition assistance program in Puerto Rico. Excludes general assistance vendor payments from consideration as program income. Subpart 3: Promoting Self-Sufficiency - Excludes from consideration as program income: (1) the first $50 a month received as child support; and (2) child support payments to non-household members. Increases annually the fair market value limit of vehicles that program recipients may own. Excludes from financial resources the value of a vehicle a household depends upon to carry heating fuel or water for home use where it has no other access to fuel or water. Increases dependent care deductions and participant and State agency reimbursements in connection with employment and training activities. Subpart 4: Simplifying the Provision of Food Assistance - Permits related adults living in the same household to apply for separate program benefits under specified conditions. Permits a participating family made up of, or including, an elderly or disabled member to own $300 in allowable financial resources. (Current law refers to a family member 60 years of age or older.) Makes program authorization of appropriations permanent. Subpart 5: Implementation and Effective Dates - Sets forth the effective dates for provisions of this Act. Title II: International Programs - Part A: Food as a Human Right - Declares that the United States should: (1) make a major effort toward strengthening the right to food in international law; and (2) propose to the United Nations General Assembly that a Declaration and Convention on the Right to Food be adopted and submitted to countries for ratification. Prohibits the provision of development assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the provision or financing of agricultural commodities under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 for countries that engage in a consistent pattern of violations of internationally recognized rights to food and medical care. Requires the United States to: (1) make a major effort toward reforming and restructuring the United Nations mechanism for responding to international disasters and humanitarian emergencies; and (2) evaluate the role of the United Nations Disaster Relief Organization and develop a proposal for strengthening the United Nations response to such emergencies. Part B: Democratic Empowerment - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President, acting through the administrator of the agency responsible for administering development assistance (administering agency), to provide assistance for eligible emerging democracies. Defines an "eligible emerging democracy" as a least developed country that is making a transition from an undemocratic to a democratic system of government. Lists authorized assistance as development and relief and rehabilitation assistance and assistance for child survival, maternal health, basic nutrition, and basic education. Waives provisions of law that prohibit or restrict assistance to countries in arrears or default on loan or credit payments owed to the United States with respect to assistance for eligible emerging democracies. Establishes a Fund for Democratic Empowerment to carry out such assistance program. Authorizes appropriations. Part C: Children - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 and 1993 for U.S. contributions to the United Nations Children's Fund. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize appropriations for the Child Survival Fund for FY 1992 and 1993. Earmarks amounts of foreign assistance for activities that deal directly with the special health needs of children and mothers. Requires the President, with respect to the provision of development assistance, to promote and undertake activities relating to research on, and the treatment and control of, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in developing countries. Designates such assistance as the International AIDS Prevention and Control Program. Earmarks amounts of development assistance for FY 1992 and 1993 for the Vitamin A Deficiency Program and programs to eliminate iodine deficiency. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should join in a comprehensive initiative to reduce micronutrient deficiencies from iron, as well as leading in the elimination of vitamin A and iodine deficiency. Earmarks foreign assistance for basic education programs. Directs the President to report annually to the Congress on U.S. contributions to the goals and strategies of the World Declaration on the Survival, Protection and Development of Children; the Plan of Action for Implementing the Declaration; the World Declaration on Education for All; and the Framework for Action to Meet Basic Learning Needs. Part D: Women in Development - Removes a limitation on, and earmarks an amount of, assistance to promote the participation and integration of women in the development process in developing countries. Requires specified amounts of such assistance to be used to support the integration of women into programs of the administering agency and to support needs of such agency in administering the women in development policy. Part E: Refugees - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 and 1993 for migration and refugee assistance, with earmarked funds for programs of refugee assistance overseas. Expresses the sense of the Congress that other international donors should join with the United States in ensuring that refugee relief and rehabilitation efforts are adequately funded and supported. Part F: Agriculture and the Environment - Requires agricultural development programs supported by the United States under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and in the multilateral development banks and International Monetary Fund (IMF) to incorporate principles of environmental sustainability. Directs the Administrator of the Agency for International Development (AID) to establish specified environmental sustainability guidelines and standards to be applied to all agricultural development programs supported under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, bilateral agricultural projects, and, where appropriate, environmental projects supported under such Act. Requires the U.S. executive directors of the multilateral development banks and the IMF to seek the adoption of requirements comparable to such standards by their respective institutions. Declares that AID should make a long-term commitment to research the ecological and socioeconomic components of sustainable agricultural development. Provides that research topics should include: (1) how traditional systems of agriculture respond to local ecological conditions and how such responses can be incorporated in agricultural development that aims to increase yields without degrading long-term productive potential or the ability to withstand ecological pressures; (2) the role of subsistence agriculture in meeting the nutritional needs of rural populations and the improvement of subsistence food production; and (3) the improvement of crops which comprise a substantial part of the diet of the poorest part of the population. Declares that the United States should encourage the Consultative Group on International Agriculture to incorporate such topics into its research priorities and to promote the application of research findings into project design and implementation. States that AID should increase its support for agricultural research institutions that have demonstrated a capacity to contribute to sustainable agricultural development. Directs the AID Administrator to report to the Congress on AID programs directed toward sustainability as a basis for agricultural assistance efforts. Part G: World Bank and International Monetary Fund - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary of the Treasury should instruct the U.S. executive directors of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank), the International Development Association (Association), and the IMF to seek the establishment by their institutions of programs and policies to assist in the realization of the right to food. Amends the International Financial Institutions Act to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct: (1) the U.S. executive director of the Association to advocate, in the context of the Association's tenth replenishment, that at least 50 percent of the Association's loans go to countries that have developed a national development and poverty alleviation strategy; and (2) the U.S. executive directors of the World Bank and the IMF to urge such institutions to develop Policy Framework Papers (including sections on environmental goals) for borrowing countries. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the World Bank and the Association should: (1) give greater programmatic and budgetary priority to child survival and development; and (2) commit to devoting at least five percent of the annual lending programs to primary health and five percent to basic education. Directs the Secretary to instruct the U.S. executive directors of the World Bank and the Association to urge such institutions to: (1) promote environmental sustainability as a guiding principle in agricultural development projects; (2) emphasize food-based policies in agriculture by increasing funding for research focusing on improving foods which comprise a substantial portion of the diet of poor people; and (3) ensure that such projects target and integrate women. Amends the Bretton Woods Agreements Act to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. executive director of the IMF to urge the IMF to ensure that IMF programs are designed to avoid any deterioration in the provision of social services for basic human needs and to maintain sustainable use of the environment. Part H: Debt Relief - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to make certain debt relief authorities concerning relatively least developed countries with respect to which an IMF standby agreement or a World Bank or Association structural adjustment program or similar IMF program is in effect applicable to least developed countries pursuing specified national economic policy reforms, even if such an arrangement is not in effect. Part I: Private and Voluntary Organizations - Increases the amount of funding for private and voluntary organizations under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
Law· HRH.R. 2251 (102nd)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1991
Dire Emergency Supplemental Appropriations From Contributions of Foreign Governments And/Or Interest for Humanitarian Assistance to Refugees and Displaced Persons In and Around Iraq as a result of the recent invasion of Kuwait and for Peacekeeping Activities and Other Urgent Needs Act of 1991 - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations for FY 1991 to carry out this Act. Chapter I: Department of Defense - Military - Makes the Persian Gulf Regional Defense Fund available for the costs of the Department of Defense incurred in connection with Operation Provide Comfort and other humanitarian efforts for the relief of refugees and displaced persons in and around Iraq. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to transfer a specified amount from the Fund from amounts appropriated for Operation Desert Shield/Operation Desert Storm to military personnel and operation and maintenance accounts for the cost of humanitarian relief efforts. Appropriates a specified amount from the Defense Cooperation Account for contributions to military relief societies. Sets forth general provisions concerning the transfers of funds. Authorizes the Secretary to accept burdensharing contributions in the form of money from a foreign country for the support of U.S. armed forces in such country. Chapter II: Department of State - Provides for the transfer of specified amounts of funds from the Defense Cooperation Account to certain Department of State accounts for: (1) emergency humanitarian assistance for Iraqi refugees, other displaced persons in and around Iraq, and international disaster assistance outside the Persian Gulf region; (2) migration and refugee assistance; (3) the U.S. Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund; and (4) international peacekeeping activities. Rescinds a specified amount of economic support fund assistance appropriated by the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1991. Sets forth general provisions concerning the transfers of funds. Provides that amounts obligated for international disaster assistance in connection with the Persian Gulf crisis for FY 1991 and the value of defense articles and services and military education and training authorized to be drawn down as of April 20, 1991, under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 shall not be counted against ceiling limitations. Chapter III: Natural Disasters - Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, pending receipt of a budget request, to report to the appropriate congressional committees on unfunded costs of: (1) dire emergencies due to disasters in the United States; and (2) international disaster emergencies and the threats to oil supply, human health, and the environment resulting from the Kuwaiti oil fires. Chapter IV: General Provisions - Prohibits appropriations contained in this Act from remaining available for obligation beyond the current fiscal year unless expressly provided. Provides that funds made available in this Act are off budget.
Bill· HRH.R. 2266 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1991
Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to provide that the treatment, storage, disposal, or management of municipal solid waste incinerator fly ash shall be regulated under the subtitle governing hazardous waste.
Bill· HJRESH.J.Res. 251 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1991
Declares that it is the policy of the United States to recognize Brazil's sovereign authority in the Amazon, rejecting any suggestion of international control over the area, and that the United States should adopt a policy to encourage and support conservation efforts initiated by Brazil to protect the Amazon forest. Declares that the United States should redouble its efforts to address development within its own borders in an environmentally sound and sustainable manner.
Question· oralPQ 183asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 7 May 1991
183 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment if he will indicate when details of the proposed shared ownership scheme will be announced; and if legislation is required for this.
Question· oralPQ 72asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 7 May 1991
72 Mr. Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment when he proposes to authorise local authorities to implement the terms of the social housing policy.
Question· oralPQ 23asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 7 May 1991
20 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline the term fire brigade action attributed to him in relation to activities by local authorities in rectifying the problems of potholes; if he has any proposals to change the financing structure of expenditure on non-national roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Question· oralPQ 22asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 7 May 1991
19 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment if, arising from the assessment of the number of homeless by local authorities in March 1991, he will outline the total number of homeless people in the State; the steps he proposes to take to alleviate the problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Question· oralPQ 21asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 7 May 1991
183 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment if he will indicate when details of the proposed shared ownership scheme will be announced; and if legislation is required for this.
Question· oralPQ 20asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 7 May 1991
72 Mr. Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment when he proposes to authorise local authorities to implement the terms of the social housing policy.
Question· oralPQ 19asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 7 May 1991
21 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline the proposals in A Plan for Social Housing to which he will give effect before the enactment of new housing legislation; and when these measures will be implemented.
Question· oralPQ 18asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 7 May 1991
18 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for the Environment when the proposed Housing Bill will be published; the specific proposals in his scheme for social housing which can be implemented without legislative provision; when he will give detailed instructions to local authorities on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Law· SS. 992 (102nd)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1991
Declares that the relocation of a named employee by the Environmental Protection Agency is a transfer from one official station to another for the purpose of permitting reimbursement for certain travel and relocation expenses.
Bill· SS. 988 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1991
Recycling Building Code Act of 1991 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to develop model construction standards providing suitable space for the separation, collection, and temporary storage of material for recycling in new building construction and major renovation of multifamily and commercial developments. Directs the Administrator to ensure that organizations responsible for developing national model building codes and authorities which regulate building construction within States or political subdivisions adopt such standards. Requires Federal agencies to assure that the construction of new Federal buildings or buildings built with Federal assistance meet or exceed the requirements of the recycling standards. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to assure that any newly constructed public housing units meet or exceed such requirements.
Bill· SS. 999 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1991
Directs the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration (Administrator) to conduct a program to promote the implementation of Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems (IVHS) as a component of the Federal-aid Highway System. Sets forth the goals of such program, including: (1) the widespread implementation of IVHS to enhance the capacity, efficiency, and safety of the Federal-aid Highway System; (2) the enhancement of the efforts of the States to attain air quality goals established by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, pursuant to the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990; (3) the development and promotion of IVHS and an IVHS industry in the United States; (4) the reduction of societal, economic, and environmental costs associated with traffic congestion; and (5) the enhancement of U.S. industrial and economic competitiveness. Directs the Administrator to: (1) lead and coordinate an IVHS program and foster its use as a key component of surface transportation systems in the United States; (2) strive to transfer federally owned or patented technology to State and local governments and to the U.S. private sector; (3) maximize the involvement of the private sector, colleges and universities, and State and local governments in aspects of such programs, as appropriate; and (4) develop and implement standards and protocols (to the extent practicable, promoting compatibility among IVHS technologies implemented throughout the States) to promote the widespread use and evaluation of IVHS technology as a component of the Federal-aid Highway System. Authorizes the Administrator to make use of standards-setting organizations as he deems appropriate. Directs the Administrator to establish: (1) guidelines and requirements for the evaluation of field and related operational tests; and (2) a repository for technical and safety data collected as a result of federally sponsored projects pursuant to this Act, and make such information available, upon request, at an appropriate cost to all users, except for proprietary information and data. Authorizes the Administrator to utilize one or more advisory committees in carrying out his responsibilities under this Act. Specifies that any such committee shall be subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, and funding provided for any such committee shall be available from monies appropriated for advisory committees as specified in relevant appropriations Acts and from funds allocated for activities in connection with the IVHS program under this Act. Requires the Administrator: (1) within 12 months, to formulate, and submit to the Congress, a strategic plan for the IVHS program; (2) within 24 months and annually thereafter, to submit implementation reports; and (3) within five years, to submit a report addressing the non-technical constraints and barriers to the program (such as antitrust, privacy, or staffing concerns). Authorizes the Administrator to provide planning and technical assistance and information to State and local governments seeking to demonstrate, use, and evaluate IVHS technologies. Directs the Administrator to assist State and local officials in developing provisions for implementing areawide traffic management control centers, necessary laws to advance such systems, the infrastructure for such existing and evolving systems, and other necessary activities to carry out the IVHS program under this Act. Authorizes the Administrator, subject to the availability of funds, to make grants for feasibility and planning studies to be conducted by State and local governments. Makes any interagency traffic and incident management entity contracted to a State department of transportation for the implementation of traffic management systems of designated corridors eligible to receive Federal transportation funds under this Act through the appropriate State department of transportation. Sets forth criteria for the Administrator to use in deciding which demonstrations or operational tests to fund. Authorizes each State and eligible local entity to use Federal-aid highway construction and maintenance funds for demonstration and implementation purposes in connection with the IVHS program. Directs the Administrator: (1) to designate transportation corridors in which application of IVHS will have particular benefit and, through financial and technical assistance, assist in the implementation of such systems; (2) in designating such corridors, to focus on automatic vehicle identification, electronic toll collection, highway advisory radio, variable message signage, advanced traveller information systems, and other steps that would reduce congestion and promote a smoother flow of traffic throughout the corridors; and (3) in designating and providing funding for such corridors, to allocate not less than 50 percent of the funds appropriated under the congested corridors program to eligible State or local entities for application in between three and ten corridors with specified characteristics (such as traffic density at least 1.5 times the national average, severe or extreme nonattainment for ozone, or potential contribution to the implementation of the Administrator's strategic plan), with the balance allocated for application in corridors with a significant number of such characteristics. Authorizes appropriations. Directs that not less than five percent of appropriated funds be reserved for innovative, high-risk operational or analytical tests that do not attract substantial non-Federal commitments but are determined by the Administrator as having significant potential to help accomplish long-term goals established by the strategic plan. Specifies the Federal share for activities authorized pursuant to this Act (80 percent of the cost, with exceptions).
Bill· HRH.R. 2209 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1991
Authorizes and directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation and pursuant to the Reclamation laws, to participate with the West Basin Municipal Water District and the City of Los Angeles in the design, planning, and construction of tertiary wastewater reclamation and reuse projects and infrastructure in El Segundo and Los Angeles, California, for wastewater resulting from wastewater supplied by Bureau facilities. Prohibits the use of such reclaimed water for direct or indirect groundwater recharge, including spreading ponds and aquifer saltwater intrusion barriers, unless: (1) an environmental impact statement is completed in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 prior to such recharge; (2) the presence of any contaminant, as tested monthly at the injection wellhead or above ground, will not adversely affect the health of persons and does not violate the maximum contaminant levels of the national primary and secondary drinking water regulations, all Environmental Protection Agency drinking water health advisories, and all State drinking water action levels, with exceptions; (3) a monitoring program which includes a toxicity assessment, undertaken in cooperation with scientists from the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and funded by the Secretary, has and continues monthly to demonstrate that the effluent does not cause adverse health effects on a variety of organisms in a series of toxicity bioassays; and (4) a monitoring program is established by NAS, and funded by the Secretary, to evaluate the effects of reclaimed water on the aquifer. Authorizes the Secretary to contribute 25 percent of such projects's total costs. Bars the expenditure of Federal funds for operation and maintenance of the project, except for monitoring. Authorizes appropriations.
Law· HRH.R. 2194 (102nd)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1991
Federal Facilities Compliance Act of 1991 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to waive the sovereign immunity of the United States for purposes of enforcing Federal, State, interstate, and local requirements with respect to solid and hazardous waste management. Absolves Federal employees from personal liability for civil penalties under any Federal or State solid or hazardous waste law if the act or omission was within the scope of official duties. Makes such employees subject to criminal sanctions under such laws. Prohibits Federal agencies from being subject to such sanctions. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to commence an administrative enforcement action against any Federal agency pursuant to the authorities of the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Requires fines collected by States from the Federal Government for violations of hazardous and solid waste management requirements to be used only for projects to improve or protect the environment or to defray the costs of environmental protection or enforcement.
Bill· HRH.R. 2221 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1991
Amends the Clean Water Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, at the request of the Governor of the State of Washington, to make grants to the State of Washington Puget Sound Water Quality Authority or its successor for use in: (1) implementing and updating the Puget Sound Water Quality Management Plan; (2) implementing a program for ambient monitoring of the water quality of Puget Sound; (3) supporting research which will increase understanding of Puget Sound and human impacts on the Sound; and (4) conducting other activities related to improving the water quality of Puget Sound. Requires the Governor to submit a grant proposal to the Administrator. Limits: (1) the Federal share of costs to 50 percent; and (2) the amount of administrative costs covered by such grants. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 2197 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1991
Requires, with respect to each military base which is scheduled to be closed or realigned and which is on the National Priorities List under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, that 75 percent of the remedial action required pursuant to the Act be completed before the base is closed or substantial reduction in operations have occurred, and that all such remedial action be completed within two years after such closure or substantial reduction.
Bill· HRH.R. 2216 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1991
Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to require the President to impose sanctions on States that have failed to enter into, or are in violation of, a contract that assures the availability of hazardous waste treatment or disposal facilities. Lists such sanctions as: (1) the withholding of payments out of the Hazardous Substance Superfund for remedial actions; and (2) withdrawal of authorizations of hazardous waste programs under the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to make a conforming amendment regarding the withdrawal of authorization for such programs. Authorizes States in compliance with hazardous waste capacity assurance plans under CERCLA to: (1) deny permits to hazardous waste treatment, storage, or disposal facilities if the capacity of such facilities is not needed; (2) place prohibitions or restrictions on the transportation into such States of hazardous waste generated in other States; and (3) impose fees on hazardous waste or hazardous waste transporters that differentiate rates of payment on the basis of waste origin.
Bill· HRH.R. 2179 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1991
Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to make specified contract notice requirements currently applicable to property transferred by Federal agencies on which a hazardous substance was stored, released, or disposed applicable to leases of, or granting of easements on, such property. Considers remedial action to have been taken on transferred Federal property on which a hazardous substance was stored, released, or disposed if one of the following conditions exists: (1) remedial action has been completed on the property or no action was required; or (2) remedial action has been commenced on the property with respect to any remaining hazardous substance, the deed for the transfer of such property assures access so that such action can be taken, and the United States agrees to carry out actions until remedial action has been completed. Authorizes the President, acting through a Federal agency, to arrange for the removal of any hazardous substance on real property, regardless of whether a danger to the public health or welfare or the environment exists. Permits Federal agencies to subdivide property subject to this Act for purposes of sale, lease, grant of easement, or other transfer. Requires the Secretary of Defense to report to the Congress on the manner in which the Department of Defense plans to carry out environmental restoration activities on military installations to be closed.
Bill· HRH.R. 2185 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1991
Just Compensation Act of 1991 - Requires the head of any Federal agency who takes an action under the Endangered Species Act, the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, or under specified provisions of the National Trails System Act or of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act relating to wetlands to compensate the owner of private property for any diminution in value caused by the action. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 2173 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1991
Department of Defense Lyme Disease Research and Education Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Army Environmental Hygiene Agency, to carry out a research and education (R&E) program regarding Lyme disease. Specifies actions to be taken by the Secretary as part of such R&E program, including: (1) assessing the risk of Lyme disease at military installations; (2) providing lab support for identifying and assaying deer ticks for Lyme disease; (3) providing information regarding Lyme disease to military personnel at installations at which there are sizable populations of deer ticks, as well as to dependents of such personnel; (4) establishing and maintaining a data repository on information collected by the Department of Defense regarding the disease; (5) conducting operational testing; and (6) testing candidate deer tick repellent compounds for effectiveness and toxicity to humans. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for conducting the R&E program. Earmarks specified amounts of such appropriations for each of the R&E activities undertaken. Directs the Secretary to print and distribute to appropriate military personnel wallet-sized cards that identify the ticks that transmit Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, listing symptoms and methods of prevention. Allows the Secretary to make 25 percent of such cards available to Federal health agencies and the public. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research to conduct research to develop a ribosomal RNA probe to detect Borrella burgdorferi in arthropods, animal reservoirs, and laboratory samples. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Defense for such research.
Bill· HRH.R. 2172 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1991
Environmental Infrastructure Financing Act of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow qualified recycling facilities to issue tax-exempt private activity bonds. Excludes the following environmental facilities from the volume cap on such bonds: (1) mass commuting facilities; (2) facilities for the furnishing of water; (3) sewage facilities; (4) solid waste disposal facilities; (5) qualified hazardous waste facilities; and (6) qualified recycling facilities. Exempts such facilities from certain rules relating to acquisition of existing property and restrictions on issuance costs. Excludes from alternative minimum tax the interest on environmental facility bonds. Provides for the treatment of such bonds under advance refunding rules. Excludes such bonds from arbitrage rebate requirements. Repeals the requirement that mass commuting facilities be governmentally owned.
Question· oralPQ 3asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 30 April 1991
3 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will outline his views on the extension of competence of the European Community to each of the areas specified in paragraph 4 of the conclusions of the European Summit at Rome in regard to political union, namely (1) the social dimension, (2) economic and social cohesion, (3) the environment, (4) health, (5) research, (6) energy policy, (7) infrastructures and (8) European heritage, cultural exchanges and education; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Bill· HRH.R. 2143 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1991
Indian Environmental Consolidated Grant Program Act of 1991 - Amends Federal law to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to consolidate any or all grants made to an Indian tribe under any law administered by the agency for any fiscal year or years. Prohibits the amount of a consolidated grant for any Indian tribe under this Act from being less than the aggregate sum of all grants consolidated. Authorizes the Indian tribe receiving such consolidated grant to determine the proportion of its proceeds to be allocated among the pertinent programs. Requires the Administrator to issue regulations establishing procedures for an Indian tribe to apply for such grants. Authorizes the Administrator to: (1) waive any or all requirements for matching funds required by law to be provided by an Indian tribe in connection with such consolidated grant; (2) waive any requirement that an Indian tribe submit an application or report in writing with respect to the grant; and (3) adjust or modify maintenance or level of effort requirements for any Indian tribe with respect to it.
Bill· HRH.R. 2126 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1991
Title I: Combined Sewer and Storm Water System Overflow Control - Estuarine Zone and Marine Waters Combined Sewer Overflow Control Act - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to issue regulations setting forth permit requirements for discharges from combined storm water and sanitary sewer overflows into the estuarine zone and marine waters. Directs the Administrator, in determining the content of such regulations, to take into account; (1) the expected composition, frequency, and volume of each discharge; (2) the anticipated effect of each discharge on the environment, economy, and aesthetic and recreational values of the receiving waters; and (3) the need for a flexible approach in minimizing such discharges. Authorizes the Administrator to issue permits after 1999 for such discharges only if the permittee has taken reasonable efforts to eliminate dry weather discharges and to minimize wet weather discharges. Requires the Administrator to provide technical assistance to State and local governments issued permits under this Act. Directs permittees, as a condition for permit issuance or renewal, to budget and expend an amount of funds for: (1) identifying all discharges of overflows into the estuarine zone and marine waters; (2) implementing water quality-based limitations of such discharges; and (3) limiting such discharges. Waives such requirement if the Administrator determines that the permittee or the State in which such permittee is located has begun to implement a plan that will result in the cessation of dry weather discharges and minimization of wet weather discharges by the year 2000. Makes funds available to permittees to address water quality problems resulting from such discharges, including the implementation of control strategies to eliminate dry weather discharges and minimize wet weather discharges. Directs the Administrator to report to the Congress on: (1) the feasibility and cost of establishing a technological clearinghouse to make available to States and local governments information on, and assistance in, controlling and ceasing discharges of overflows from combined storm water and sanitary sewers into the estuarine zone and marine waters; and (2) the major components of discharges which contribute significantly to floating debris and debris which washes up on shores and ways to eliminate the introduction of such debris into combined storm water and sanitary sewer systems. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: National Estuary Program Amendment - National Estuary Program Amendment Act - Requires the Administrator to: (1) identify estuaries where overflow discharges from combined storm water and sanitary sewer systems constitute a major source of pollution; (2) urge that the management conference for each estuary develop a priority action plan to address such overflows; and (3) report to the Congress on the extent of such discharges and the anticipated Federal cost of addressing the problem. Title III: Marine Pollution Discharge Abatement - Marine Discharge Abatement Act - Prohibits the issuance or renewal of permits for pollutant discharges into estuaries, the oceans, or other navigable waters (at the discretion of the Administrator): (1) if the applicant has failed to demonstrate the need for the discharge and the lack of reasonable alternatives to it; or (2) for any discharge for which insufficient information exists to determine its environmental impact based on the guidelines published under the Clean Water Act. (Current law bars discharges in any event where insufficient information exists to make a reasonable judgment based on such guidelines.) Prohibits the waiver of permit requirements for discharges into specified estuaries or the territorial sea. Directs the Administrator to review existing guidelines and to revise guidelines as necessary to prevent the degradation of such waters.
Bill· SS. 976 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1991
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Amendments of 1991 - Title I: General Amendments - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to revise congressional findings, objectives, and national policy provisions. Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Solid Waste Disposal Act through FY 1996. Sets forth procedures for the administrative review of regulations. Title II: Toxics Use and Source Reduction - Encourages the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in promulgating requirements or taking actions under specified environmental Acts, to make toxics use and source reduction an integral part of the planning and decisionmaking process. Integrates specified provisions of the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 into the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Requires the Administrator, as part of a source reduction strategy, to: (1) convey to EPA offices the impediments to toxics use and source reduction; (2) review and comment upon toxics use and source reduction strategies developed by other Federal agencies; (3) provide assistance to the educational community to promote the introduction of toxics use and source reduction principles into design, engineering, management, and environmental sciences curricula; and (4) provide for opportunities to educate Federal, State, and local government staff of opportunities for cross-media environmental protection. Extends the authorization of appropriations for grants to States to promote toxics use and source reduction by businesses through FY 1996. Requires the Administrator to survey a representative sample of owners and operators of facilities within Standard Industrial Code Classifications 20 through 39 to determine the nature and extent of: (1) the production, use, and consumption of hazardous substances and the generation of solid and hazardous wastes; and (2) toxics use and source reduction that has occurred or is planned. Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish guidelines for hazardous substance accounting practices; and (2) publish toxics use and source reduction goals for industrial categories required to report pursuant to the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act. Requires owners or operators of facilities required to submit toxic chemical release forms pursuant to the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act to submit to the Administrator or an authorized State a toxics use and source reduction plan. Directs the Administrator to establish a schedule for the submission of such plans. Sets forth minimum requirements for such plans. Requires owners or operators of such facilities to submit biennially to the State a toxics use and source reduction performance report documenting reduction activities. Sets forth minimum requirements for such reports. Permits persons who can show that a facility is not making a good faith effort to comply with a toxics use and source reduction plan to request EPA or an authorized State to certify whether the facility is in compliance. Authorizes the Administrator or an authorized State to require a facility audit and requires plan modifications if a facility fails to implement or achieve objectives of the plan. Applies plan requirements to Federal facilities that conduct operations comparable to facilities required to submit toxic chemical release forms. Authorizes the Administrator to adopt regulations for exempting categories of facilities from such requirements where toxic use and source reduction opportunities do not reasonably exist for such facilities. Requires the Administrator to establish a Products and Packaging Advisory Board to report on the development of a voluntary program to: (1) minimize the quantity of packaging and other material in the waste stream; (2) minimize the consumption of scarce natural resources in the production and use of packaging; (3) maximize the recycling and reuse of packaging; (4) reduce litter; and (5) assure that human health and the environment will not be affected adversely as a result of the use and disposal of packaging and products. Authorizes the Administrator, after considering the Advisory Board's report, to publish guidelines to take the steps covered by the proposed program. Requires the Administrator to: (1) determine the extent to which hazardous substances are contained in products distributed in commerce; and (2) submit to the Congress a list of products containing hazardous substances which may present a health or environmental risk when disposed or incinerated. Provides for annual revisions of such list. Authorizes the Administrator to promulgate regulations for the disposal or incineration of listed products. Requires the Administrator, if such regulations will not adequately protect human health and the environment, to regulate the manufacture and distribution in commerce of such products. Authorizes the Administrator to establish a research program at the Hazardous Substance Research Centers (created pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act) to assist the EPA Office of Pollution Prevention. Requires the Administrator to report to the Congress on the criteria that would be used in establishing a program of regulatory incentives to promote toxics use and source reduction and to evaluate the benefits to human health and the environment that can be achieved from such program. Title III: Recycling - Declares it to be a national goal that at a minimum the generation of municipal solid waste be reduced by at least ten percent by the year 2000 and that at least 25 and 50 percent of such waste stream be recycled by 1995 and the year 2000, respectively. Requires the Administrator to promulgate commodity specific recovery and utilization standards for paper, glass, metals, plastic products, and other commodities. Provides for the review of such standards at least every five years and for revisions, as necessary. Requires the annual minimum recovery and utilization rate (by December 31, 1995) to be at least: (1) 52 percent for newsprint; (2) 66 percent for corrugated paper products; (3) 20 percent for mixed paper grades; (4) 50 percent for high-grade deinking paper; and (5) 100 percent for pulp substitutes; or (6) 40 percent for all grades of paper products. Directs the Administrator, if such rates have not been achieved by such date, to establish specified minimum recycled materials content standards. Requires the minimum annual recovery and utilization rate for plastic bottles or containers having a thickness of seven mils or greater and which retain shape when unsupported to be at least 25 percent by December 31, 1995. Directs the Administrator, if such rate has not been achieved, to require the annual minimum recycled content in such bottles and containers to be 30 percent by December 31, 2000. Requires the annual average percentage of cullet in glass bottles and containers to be at least 65 percent by January 1, 2005. Directs paper manufacturers and manufacturers of glass, metal, and plastic bottles or containers to report annually to the Administrator on the amount produced, the amount of recycled material used, and the average annual percentage of recycled content used in production. Requires the Administrator to compile an annual list indicating the average annual amount of recycled material used by commodities and the percentage of recycled content for each manufacturer and commodity. Directs publishers of daily newspapers with annual circulations of 25,000 or more to publish the average annual recycled content used in the production of the newspaper. Requires the Administrator to report to the Congress on enforcing commodity specific recycling requirements. Directs the Administrator to conduct demonstration projects and to develop model programs for the collection of materials for recycling in urban and rural areas. Requires such programs to identify collection methods, recycling techniques and technologies, markets for recycled materials, methods for stimulating such markets, methods of financing, and education and training programs that are adapted for recycling in rural areas. Authorizes States to develop model programs or establish their own programs for collecting materials for recycling purposes. Sets forth minimum requirements for State programs. Requires procuring agencies to give preference in procurement to items produced with the highest percentage of recovered materials practicable. Directs such agencies to purchase a quantity of recovered materials, the value of which constitutes 20 percent of the total dollar amount spent on procurement. Increases such percentage by two percentage points every second fiscal year. Provides that the percentage of total procurement reached at the end of the tenth year shall be required for every succeeding fiscal year. Prohibits agencies from paying more than ten percent above the price of a similar item not meeting guidelines for recovered materials. Sets forth a schedule for the preparation of final guidelines for the procurement of recovered glass, ferrous and nonferrous metals, lead-acid batteries, compost, plastic, used tire fragments, and rubber. Requires the Administrator to provide technical assistance to procuring agencies for compliance purposes. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program to assure that purchases of fertilizer by the Department of Agriculture include fertilizer made with composted solid waste or secondary materials. Requires the Secretary of Defense to review specifications for military procurement items and to make necessary modifications to eliminate requirements that discriminate against the use or acquisition of items containing recovered materials. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to take actions to stimulate the development of new markets for recovered materials and products containing such materials. Requires the Secretary and the U.S. Trade Representative to identify foreign markets for such materials and products and to assist exporters of such materials and products in selling in such markets. Directs the Secretary to: (1) acquire and disseminate information regarding the world demand and competition for recyclable materials and products containing recovered materials, the marketing and distribution of such materials and products in foreign countries, and the factors influencing the export of such materials and products from the United States; and (2) undertake demonstrations abroad of the standards of quality of such materials and products. Provides that Federal contracts for $1,000,000 or more shall require at least 50 percent of materials (for which there are procurement guidelines) used in such contracts to be produced from recycled materials. Permits any person to petition a Federal agency to undertake a waste reduction action and requires such action to be undertaken if: (1) the action would bring about at least a five percent increase in recycled content of an item or would reduce by at least five percent the total volume or toxic constituents of solid waste described in the petition; (2) the action would be consistent with existing law or policies can be modified to accommodate the action and remain in accordance with statutory requirements; and (3) the action would bring about a net saving in cost to the Federal Government or would be neutral in effect or cost. Requires Federal agencies to designate waste reduction officers to oversee compliance with Federal waste reduction requirements. Title IV: Waste and Secondary Materials Management - Revises minimum requirements for State solid waste management plans. Requires States, as part of such plans, to submit to the Administrator capacity management reports that identify or estimate: (1) the amount of municipal waste generated annually within the State; (2) the amount of such waste that is exported annually to other States for recycling, incineration, or disposal; and (3) the amount of such waste that is transported annually into the State from other States for incineration or disposal. Directs States with exports of solid waste in excess of amounts imported to provide for specified reductions of waste exports in their plans. Revises plan approval procedures. Requires the Administrator to review plans at least once every five years. Directs owners or operators of facilities that store, treat, or dispose of solid waste or facilities that recycle solid waste or secondary material to notify States. Prohibits transportation of solid waste for storage, treatment, incineration, or disposal to any facility that has not notified a State. Treats units as having satisfied the notification requirement if: (1) in States with an existing solid waste management permitting system, existing units obtain permits 12 months after this Act's enactment and new units obtain permits prior to commencing construction; and (2) in States without an existing permit system, the units submit to the Administrator a notification and exposure assessment. Prohibits, 48 months after this Act's enactment or on the date of issuance of a permit, whichever is sooner, the storage, treatment, or disposal of solid waste and the recycling of such waste or secondary material, except in accordance with a permit. Authorizes States to exempt recycling facilities from permit requirements if a permit is not necessary to protect human health and the environment. Requires State Governors to submit to the Administrator certifications that State laws provide the regulatory authority and personnel to implement permit requirements. Authorizes States, after the submission of such certifications, to issue permits to facilities in compliance with requirements. Prohibits permits from being issued by any agency or person responsible for the design and construction or operation of a unit. Requires the Administrator to issue or deny permits to solid waste management facilities if a State: (1) has failed to submit the certification or a management plan; or (2) lacks or has failed to exercise regulatory powers to implement permitting requirements. Provides that permits shall contain provisions specifying: (1) the types of wastes handled by a facility, their potential to affect human health and the environment, and measures to mitigate such potential; (2) design of the facility in relation to its location; (3) air and groundwater monitoring to identify adverse effects from a discharge from a facility; (4) financial assurance for closure and postclosure care; (5) measures necessary to prevent the unlawful disposal of hazardous waste and to control precipitation run-on and run-off; (6) restrictions on the receipt of liquids or measures to mitigate the adverse effects of liquids; and (7) the authority to require any corrective action to prevent adverse effects on health and the environment. Limits permits to five-year periods. Authorizes the issuance of a single permit for facilities with multiple units. Requires the owners or operators of facilities subject to permit requirements (except recycling facilities) to pay a fee to cover costs of administering the permit program. Sets forth requirements with respect to fees collected by permitting authorities. Authorizes the Administrator, if the fee provisions of a permit program do not meet specified requirements, to collect fees from facilities. Requires sources that fail to pay fees to pay a penalty of 50 percent of the fee amount plus interest. Directs the Administrator to promulgate guidelines establishing minimum requirements (pursuant to a specified schedule) for facilities that manage solid waste in the following categories: (1) municipal solid waste; (2) municipal waste combustion ash; (3) medical wastes; and (4) industrial solid wastes. Requires the Administrator to identify other solid waste categories for which guidelines are appropriate and specify a schedule for the promulgation of such guidelines. Sets forth minimum requirements for municipal solid waste landfills with respect to groundwater and gas monitoring, hazardous waste disposal, illegal dumping of wastes, run-on and run-off controls, closure and postclosure, financial responsibility, corrective action, liners, leachate collection and removal, and location. Provides that guidelines shall establish requirements for the management of municipal incinerator ash. Requires that landfills into which such ashes are disposed provide for groundwater monitoring and: (1) have a double liner and a leachate collection system above and between such liner; or (2) place such ashes in a monofill having a single composite liner and designed to assure that there will be no future migration of any constituent into ground or surface water. Provides that landfill design requirements shall not apply to owners or operators of solid waste management units utilizing alternative designs if demonstrated that such designs prevent such migration. Provides that the regulations may allow disposal of ash from units in sanitary landfills if such ash and any treated fly ash so disposed are tested and meet current criteria. Directs the Administrator, in developing regulations for the management of municipal incinerator ash, to issue criteria and testing procedures for identifying the characteristics of such ash which may pose a hazard to human health or the environment. Requires the owner or operator of a municipal incinerator or any facility involved in ash management to test the ash in accordance with such criteria and testing procedures. Requires that any ash which is identified as posing a hazard to human health or the environment be disposed of in a landfill which has two or more liners and a leachate collection system above and between such liners. Directs the Administrator to validate such criteria and testing procedures by conducting an analysis of leachate at facilities disposing or reusing ash from municipal incinerators. Authorizes the Administrator to issue a corrective action order or commence an enforcement action against a facility when there has been a release of a hazardous constituent. Authorizes the Administrator or States, under certain conditions, to grant variances from ash disposal requirements pursuant to this Act to owners or operators of municipal incinerators. Limits such variances to specified time periods. Repeals a provision of the Solid Waste Disposal Act which exempts facilities burning household and specified nonhazardous waste from regulation requirements under such Act. Sets forth requirements for guidelines governing the management of medical wastes. Requires the Administrator to establish: (1) an education and outreach program to provide information and assistance for non-hospital sources of medical wastes; and (2) a process for approval and certification of treatment technologies capable of rendering medical waste harmless. Makes it unlawful to treat, store, or dispose of industrial waste in any new surface impoundment unit at an existing facility, any replacement of such unit, or any lateral expansion of such unit, unless the unit is equipped with: (1) two or more liners and a leachate collection system between such liners; and (2) groundwater monitoring. Exempts from such prohibition: (1) alternative design and operating practices for surface impoundments that prevent the migration of hazardous constituents into water at least as effectively as liners and leachate collection systems; and (2) industrial wastewater if such wastewater is noncontact, freshwater cooling water used in the industrial process. Prohibits the placement of bulk liquids and liquids in containers into any landfill containing industrial waste. Applies standards and requirements for hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities to hazardous waste recycling facilities. Deems hazardous secondary material to be hazardous waste for purposes of relevant requirements unless the Administrator promulgates requirements for the recycling, recovery, and reuse of hazardous waste and secondary material. Sets forth minimum requirements. Applies specified requirements for recycling materials set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to hazardous waste and secondary material recycling facilities. Requires regulations under the Solid Waste Disposal Act applicable to hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities (in lieu of the CFR requirements) to facilities generating or receiving hazardous secondary material or waste where: (1) such material or waste is burned for energy recovery or where the main purpose is the destruction of the material; (2) such material or waste is inherently waste-like; (3) the products of facilities receiving such material or waste will be used in a manner constituting disposal; or (4) the material or waste is speculatively accumulated. Directs owners or operators of facilities recycling, recovering, or reusing hazardous material in a closed loop manufacturing process or directly reusing hazardous waste or secondary material to certify to the Administrator that such facilities meet the requirements of a closed loop system or direct use process and are exempt from requirements for hazardous waste facilities. Directs the Administrator to provide for permits for facilities which store and recycle hazardous waste or secondary material. Provides for: (1) public notice and comment prior to construction and commencement of operations at such facilities; (2) a demonstration by facility owners or operators that the facility is in compliance with applicable requirements; (3) annual on-site inspection of such facilities by the permitting authority; and (4) such other information to verify compliance with the permit. Authorizes the Administrator to revoke permits if compliance with standards cannot be verified. Makes such requirements inapplicable to land disposal units or incinerators. Permits a class of facilities or recycling units to be eligible for such permits by rule only if no single facility or recycling unit has the potential for significant damage to human health and the environment and will have minimal cumulative adverse effects. Requires the Administrator to promulgate standards for: (1) recycling facilities for solid wastes and secondary materials (other than hazardous wastes and secondary materials); and (2) the reuse or use of products from recycling or resource recovery activities other than raw materials for manufacturing processes and for the use and composition of compost made from solid waste. Sets forth minimum requirements for such standards. Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations for collecting, transporting, recycling, and managing lead-acid batteries and tires. Prohibits: (1) the disposal or incineration of lead-acid batteries; and (2) the disposal of tires in land disposal facilities. Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations for the collection, storage, transportation, or recycling of used oil. Provides that used oil that is not managed in accordance with such regulations shall be managed as a hazardous waste. Requires the Administrator, in developing such regulations, to conduct an analysis of the economic impact of such regulations on the used oil recycling industry. Provides that regulations for used oil collectors shall: (1) prohibit the storage of used oil in an underground storage tank unless such tank meets requirements under the Solid Waste Disposal Act; (2) prohibit the storage of used oil for more than 12 months; (3) require collectors to transfer such oil to specified permitted used oil recycling or disposal facilities or transporters; and (4) require collectors to keep specified records on such oil. Requires used oil transporter regulations to provide that such transporters: (1) acquire identification numbers from EPA; (2) meet applicable financial responsibility requirements; and (3) keep specified records. Includes intermediate storage requirements in transporter regulations. Provides that used oil recycler regulations shall require recyclers to: (1) keep specified records; and (2) test fuel produced from the recycling process before departure from the facility. Prohibits mixing used oil with hazardous waste identified or listed under the Solid Waste Disposal Act except when: (1) the resulting mixture does not exhibit hazardous waste characteristics;and (2) the mixture is burned to recover useful energy in a device that ensures protection of health and the environment. Prohibits the recycling of used oil except in accordance with a permit. Sets forth requirements to be effective if the Administrator fails to promulgate used oil regulations by the applicable deadline. Requires the Administrator to implement education programs to inform the public and small businesses about the environmental and safety hazards associated with improper handling and disposal of used oil and the benefits derived from used oil recycling. Authorizes appropriations. Deems used oil recyclers to have interim permits if they submit specified information to the Administrator or an authorized State. Authorizes a State to prohibit the transportation of municipal solid waste into such State for disposal or incineration from a State with an intrastate restriction on the movement of such waste if the importing State has closed or upgraded all open dumps. Permits a State to enact and enforce laws to collect fees for the incineration and disposal of municipal solid wastes generated in another State if such fees: (1) are applicable throughout the State and do not discriminate against a disposal or incineration site or point of waste generation; and (2) do not apply to any municipal solid waste and recyclable materials that have been separated from municipal solid waste that is transported to a recycling facility. Sets forth a fee scale. Provides for annual increases in such fees, based upon the Consumer Price Index. Authorizes a State to impose fees on municipal solid waste generated in another State only upon certification that the importing State is in compliance with an approved solid waste management plan. Permits a State to restrict or prohibit the transportation of solid waste generated in another State if: (1) the importing State has, and is in compliance with, an approved solid waste management plan; and (2) the exporting State is not in compliance with, or does not have, an approved plan. Authorizes persons adversely affected by State laws or regulations governing the transportation of municipal solid waste to petition the Administrator for relief. Permits the Administrator to suspend State authority for a specified time period. Requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations prescribing recycling practices which shall be exempt from State authorities governing the transportation of municipal solid waste. Prohibits the disposal (pursuant to a specified schedule) of municipal solid waste originating in another State without the prior consent of the Governor of the receiving State, if the receiving State is in compliance with solid waste management requirements. Prohibits the disposal in any State of solid waste generated in another State without the prior consent of the Governor of the receiving State, if the receiving State is in compliance with solid waste management requirements. Prohibits the disposal in any State of solid waste generated in another State if such disposal constitutes the open dumping of solid waste. Prescribes civil and criminal penalties for specified violations of the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Extends the authorization of appropriations for solid waste planning, solid and hazardous waste management and resource recovery programs, and solid waste management assistance for rural communities. Title V: Underground Storage Tanks - Authorizes the Administrator to guarantee principal and interest on loans made to qualified small businesses for the closure and replacement of underground storage tanks. Sets forth amounts and conditions of such guarantees. Permits the Administrator to make principal and interest payments on behalf of the borrower if: (1) the borrower is unable to make such payment and it is in the public interest to continue the project; and (2) the probable net cost to the Government in making such payments would be less than that resulting from the borrower's default. Authorizes the Administrator, in the event of a default by a borrower, to make payments in accordance with the guarantee. Requires the Attorney General to recover payments from the defaulting borrower. Terminates the authority to make loan guarantees or payment contracts seven years after this Act's enactment. Permits the Administrator or a State to undertake corrective action with respect to threatened releases of petroleum from underground storage tanks.
Bill· SS. 984 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1991
International Pollution Deterrence Act of 1991 - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to declare that a country's failure to impose and enforce effective pollution controls and environmental safeguards shall constitute the bestowal of a bounty or grant (subsidy) by such country on its manufactured products and require the imposition of countervailing duties on such products. Requires appropriation of 50 percent of the revenue attributable to the assessment of such duties to the Pollution Control Equipment Export Fund for use in assisting purchases of U.S. pollution control equipment by developing countries. Amends the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (Administrator) to establish a Pollution Control Research and Development Fund by using 50 percent of the revenues derived from such duties to provide assistance for U.S. companies in the research and development of pollution control technology and equipment. Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require the Administrator to prepare a pollution control index for each of the top 50 countries identified by the Office of Trade and Investment of the Department of Commerce based on the value of exports to the United States from that country's attainment of pollution control standards in the areas of air, water, and hazardous and solid waste as compared to the United States.
Bill· SS. 943 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1991
Amends the America the Beautiful Act of 1990 to target tree planting funds for areas devastated by disaster or where tree loss is causing environmental damage.
Bill· SS. 965 (102nd)reported
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1991
Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 - Title I: Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1991 - Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1991 - Declares that: (1) the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways is completed; (2) the principal purpose of Federal highway assistance shall henceforth be to improve the efficiency of the existing surface transportation system; and (3) it is U.S. policy to facilitate innovation and competition in transportation modes through Federal and State initiative and to increase productivity in the transportation sector of the economy through systematic attention to costs and benefits. Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Account of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) for the following programs: (1) surface transportation; (2) congestion mitigation and air quality improvement; (3) bridge; (4) interstate maintenance; (5) interstate construction (but repeals the existing FY 1993 authorization and a provision regarding minimum apportionments); (6) interstate substitution; (7) Federal lands highway; (8) territorial highway; (9) national magnetic levitation design; (10) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) research; (11) university transportation center; (12) highway use tax evasion; and (13) safety belt and motorcycle helmet use. Sets forth provisions with respect to obligation ceilings for Federal-aid highway programs and redistribution of unused obligation authority. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a surface transportation program to fund projects such as: (1) construction, restoration, and operational improvements for highways and bridges; (2) capital and operating costs for mass transit, rail, and magnetic levitation systems; (3) carpool projects and parking and bicycle facilities and programs; and (4) surface transportation research and development programs. Sets forth requirements and administrative provisions with respect to such program. Provides that 50 percent of the funds authorized for the next five years shall go to such program. Specifies that the Federal/State cost share ratio for such program shall be 80/20 for projects to maintain existing facilities or use them more efficiently, and 75/25 for projects to build new facilities for use by single occupant vehicles. Requires: (1) each State to spend eight percent of the funds received under this program on "transportation enhancement activities" (defined to include highway safety programs, scenic and historic preservation, billboard control, and environmental mitigation); and (2) that funds be distributed under this program so that each State receives a share of total Federal funds distributed equal to the percent of Federal funds from 1987 to 1991, with exceptions. Repeals a provision authorizing the Secretary to approve as a project on any Federal-aid system the construction of exclusive or preferential truck lanes. Authorizes: (1) the Secretary to establish a congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program; and (2) funds under such program to be spent on projects that will contribute to attainment of air quality standards as determined by the guidance to be issued under the Clean Air Act (CAA) by the Environmental Protection Agency, a State implementation under such Act, or the Secretary. Provides for the apportionment of funds to States based on their non-attainment area population, adjusted for the severity of the non-attainment problem. Specifies that the Federal/State match shall be 80/20. Specifies that the Federal/State match to repair or replace existing bridges without increasing capacity shall be 80/20, but the match for construction of new capacity on existing bridges or construction of new bridges shall be 75/25 (currently, the match is 80/20 in any case). Makes bridge painting an eligible use of Federal funds. Repeals the discretionary bridge program. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop and make available to the States criteria for determining what share of a project is attributable to the expansion of bridge capacity where the new capacity is available to single occupant vehicles; and (2) establish "level of service" criteria for the bridge program. Bars the use of interstate maintenance funds to widen existing interstate highways. Authorizes States to transfer up to 20 percent of interstate maintenance money to the surface transportation program and larger amounts if the State can demonstrate to the Secretary that they are adequately maintaining their interstate highways. Changes the Federal/State match for interstate maintenance from 90/10 to 80/20. Authorizes the Secretary to develop and make available to the States criteria for determining the share of an interstate maintenance project that is attributable to the expansion of the capacity of an interstate highway and what constitutes adequate maintenance. Specifies that segments added to the Interstate System (IS) before January 1, 1984, shall be counted towards a State apportionment of interstate maintenance funds. Directs the Secretary to make apportionments to the States to finish outstanding IS projects, except that specific amounts are specified for Massachusetts. Combines the public lands highways and forest highways accounts of the current Federal lands program. Provides for the apportionment of funds based on the existing formula for the Forest Highways Program. Repeals the current national policy against tolls on roads built or maintained with Federal funds. Authorizes the use of Federal funds to: (1) build new toll roads at a 35/65 Federal/non-Federal cost share; and (2) convert existing non-tolled facilities to toll facilities at an 80/20 cost share. Prohibits the imposition of new tolls on the IS. Authorizes the Secretary to permit Federal participation in the construction of ferryboats and ferry approaches, subject to specified conditions. Directs the Secretary to solicit participation of State and local governments and public authorities for one or more congestion pricing pilot projects. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with up to five such State or local governments or public authorities to establish, maintain, and monitor congestion pricing projects. Specifies the Federal share (100 percent for not more than three years). Directs the Secretary to fund all development and startup costs of such projects for at least one year and thereafter until sufficient revenues are generated by the program to fund its operating costs without Federal participation. Sets forth monitoring and reporting requirements. Directs the Secretary to renegotiate specified agreements to permit the continuance of existing toll facilities without repayment of Federal funds. Requires (currently, authorizes) the designation of a metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for each urbanized area of a State of over 50,000 population, including representatives of local communities and the State. Specifies that: (1) plans developed by an MPO shall take into account the requirements of the CAA, local land use or energy plans, and other factors; (2) the MPO shall develop a transportation improvement program (and decide how to split Federal funds between highway and transit projects); and (3) the Secretary shall make an annual certification with respect to whether each MPO is carrying out it responsibilities under Federal law. Increases the current Federal set-aside for metropolitan planning from .5 to one percent of Federal highway funds. Requires each State to have management systems for bridges, pavement, safety, and congestion, and a traffic monitoring system, as well as a planning process that takes into account land use, energy requirements, transportation needs, and other factors. Requires States that contain non-attainment areas under the CAA to produce an annual State transportation plan, incorporating without amendment the provisions of any metropolitan area plan developed pursuant to this Act. Directs the FHWA to conduct research on Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems and other new technologies, and develop indicators to measure the performance of the surface transportation system with respect to productivity, efficiency, energy use, air quality, and other factors. Directs the Secretary to create a Dwight D. Eisenhower transportation research fellowship program. Changes the Federal/State match for State research activities from 85/15 to 80/20. Allows States to program research funds without approval of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Establishes within DOT a Bureau of Transportation Statistics to collect, analyze, and disseminate information about the condition and performance of the entire transportation system. Specifies that such Bureau shall: (1) be headed by a Director who is appointed by the President; and (2) produce annual reports. Establishes a National Magnetic Levitation Design Program to be managed jointly by the Secretary of DOT and the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. Requires such officials to establish a National Maglev Joint Project Office to carry out such program and to solicit bids from the private sector to design and construct a prototype magnetic levitation system. Specifies that: (1) phase one grants shall be given to up to six applicants to develop a conceptual design for the system at a 90/10 cost share; (2) phase two grants shall be given to up to three participants to develop detailed plans at an 80/20 cost share (and a contract for construction awarded at a 75/25 cost share); and (3) the prototype shall be constructed and ready for operational testing within three years after the award of the grant, and shall be converted to commercial operation after testing is complete. Directs the Secretary, in any case where sufficient land exists within the publicly acquired rights-of-way of any highway constructed in whole or in part with Federal-aid highway funds to accommodate needed passenger or commuter high speed ground transportation (including magnetic levitation) systems and highway and non-highway public mass transit facilities, to authorize a State to make such lands and rights-of-way available without charge to a publicly or privately owned authority or company for such purposes. (Under current law, the Administrator may make such authorization to a publicly owned mass transit authority when in the public interest with respect to rights-of-way of any Federal-aid highway to accommodate needed rail or nonhighway public mass transit facilities where this can be accomplished without impairing automotive safety or future highway improvements). Grants the States with a right to income from airspace rights-of-way contingent upon such State's permitting governmental use, use by public or private entities for high speed ground transportation systems, or other transit, utility use, and occupancy where such use or occupancy is necessary for an authorized transportation project, or use for transportation projects eligible for assistance, without charge. Directs the Secretary, by October 1, 1993, to update the findings of the report required by the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 to determine the amount the United States could pay the States to reimburse them for segments incorporated into the IS that were constructed at non-Federal expense. Continues current law with respect to disadvantaged business enterprises. Modifies the dollar amount used to define a small business to adjust for inflation. Makes funds under Federal highway provisions available in the year in which they are apportioned or allocated and in the next three years. Authorizes States to: (1) design, construct, and maintain specified highway projects without Federal engineering review; (2) set their own occupancy requirements for high occupancy vehicle lanes; (3) have up to ten years before they must refund to the HTF sums for engineering costs on projects that have not yet been built; and (4) authorize the transportation department of any city of over 1,000,000 people to deal directly with the FHWA. Specifies that projects that affect historic and scenic values may be designed to protects such values. Requires States that do not adopt laws mandating the use of safety belts and motorcycle helmets to set aside a portion of funds received under the surface transportation program for highway safety programs (1.5 percent for noncompliance in FY 1994 and three percent thereafter). Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for safety education, training, monitoring, and enforcement to States that adopt safety belt and helmet laws. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of differences in injuries, medical costs, payor mix, and unreimbursed costs of restrained and unrestrained helmeted and nonhelmeted victims of motor vehicle and motorcycle crashes. Makes public education and information activities in support of State and community motorcycle safety and safety belt programs eligible for funds authorized to be appropriated for such study. Directs the States and U.S. territories to complete a functional reclassification, to be updated periodically, of all public roads by September 30, 1993. Continues the authorization for the DOT's public information program, Operation Lifesaver. Title II: National Recreational Trails Trust Fund Act - National Recreational Trails Fund Act of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish the National Recreational Trails Trust Fund (Fund). Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to pay into the Fund an amount equivalent to 0.3 percent of total Highway Trust Fund receipts, to be adjusted by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to use such amounts in the Fund to make grants to the States for constructing and maintaining recreational trails. Establishes the National Recreational Trails Act Advisory Committee. Sets forth reporting requirements.
Bill· SS. 982 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1991
Hazardous Waste Recycling Act of 1991 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate requirements for hazardous waste recycling facilities. Applies specified requirements for recyclable materials set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations to owners and operators of hazardous waste recycling facilities. Requires owners or operators of facilities using closed-loop or direct reuse manufacturing processes to certify to the Administrator that the facilities meet the requirements for such processes and are exempt from requirements for hazardous waste facilities. Defines a "closed-loop process" as a process through which materials are returned to the original process in which they were generated and reused in the production process in a specified manner. Requires owners or operators of new facilities using such processes to make such certification prior to commencing operations. Directs the Administrator to promulgate requirements to provide for permits for facilities which store and recycle hazardous waste in enclosed tanks or containers. Provides for: (1) public notice and comment prior to construction and commencement of operations at such facilities; (2) a demonstration by the facility owner or operator that the facility is in compliance with applicable requirements; (3) annual on-site inspections of such facilities by the permitting authority; and (4) the submission of information to verify compliance with the permit. Authorizes the Administrator to revoke permits if compliance cannot be verified.
Bill· SS. 942 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1991
Amends the Small Business Act to give priority under the natural resource development program to planting trees on State lands devastated by disaster or where tree loss is causing environmental damage.
Bill· SS. 975 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that amounts in the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund are available for the loan guarantee and principal and interest payment program of the Solid Waste Disposal Act.
Bill· SS. 956 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1991
International Cooperation Act of 1991 - Title I: Statement of Policy; Economic Assistance Programs - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to revise policy provisions. Declares that it should be U.S. policy that the financial, material, and human resources authorized by this Act should serve the following goals: (1) to promote and consolidate democratic values, market principles, and peace; (2) to protect against transnational threats; and (3) to meet humanitarian needs. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should: (1) concentrate development assistance in countries which will make the most effective use of such assistance; (2) focus development assistance on activities which the United States can provide most effectively and which meet the particular economic assistance requirements of a country; and (3) not provide assistance if the relevant sector or economic policies of a country are unfavorable to the sustainability or impact of the assisted project. Authorizes the President to provide development assistance to support economic growth and democratic development and to address humanitarian needs and global problems. Authorizes appropriations for development assistance for FY 1992. Permits the President to use development assistance funds for: (1) capital and infrastructure assistance; (2) development education programs to educate U.S. citizens about developing countries; and (3) assistance to nongovernmental organizations to strengthen their capacity to carry out programs for the economic and social development of developing countries. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the well-being of countries is affected by how the world's environment and physical resource base are managed and that consumption patterns, systems of industrial and agricultural production, and the use of natural resources have an impact on long-term development and growth and survival of all countries; (2) environmentally responsible management of physical resources is necessary by countries to insure their availability for future generations and to assure that the burdens of improved resource management do not fall disproportionately on the poor; and (3) economic assistance programs should assist countries in carrying out programs and policies that promote environmentally sound economic development. Declares that recipient countries should bear a share of the costs of development assistance programs under this Act. Prohibits economic assistance from being used for military or paramilitary purposes or for the purchase of Stingers and mules to transport them. Exempts from such prohibition assistance involving the participation of military personnel in training activities and conferences. Authorizes the President to: (1) make investments in, loans for, and guarantees assuring against losses incurred in, projects in developing countries that meet specified private sector criteria; and (2) make loans (currently, issue guarantees against losses incurred in connection with loans) for housing and urban projects. Revises provisions concerning the housing and urban development guarantee program. Prohibits assistance for such projects if the credit subsidy associated with the borrower would exceed 25 percent. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the President to furnish assistance to countries and organizations to strengthen administration of justice in developing countries and emerging democracies. Permits the President to provide such assistance if a country: (1) has recently emerged or is in the process of emerging as a democracy; or (2) has recently emerged or is emerging from civil strife and has a democratically elected government or is making substantial progress toward a democratic form of government. Authorizes appropriations. Revises provisions concerning international narcotics control. Permits funds for economic support assistance, foreign military financing, or international military education and training to be transferred and consolidated with funds for international narcotics control if: (1) such assistance is withheld from the country for which it was allocated because of laws that require the withholding of assistance from countries that have not cooperated with the United States or taken steps to halt illicit drug production and trafficking; and (2) such funds are used for assistance to countries that have taken significant steps to halt illicit drug production or trafficking. Makes provisions of law that prohibit assistance to countries in default on obligations owed to the United States inapplicable with respect to narcotics-related assistance. Revises congressional reporting requirements with respect to international narcotics production and trafficking. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 for such assistance. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 for American schools, libraries, and hospital centers abroad. Permits the President to use funds available under this title for grants to, or contracts with, nongovernmental organizations to enable such organizations to: (1) purchase debt obligations owed by developing countries to commercial lending institutions, foreign governments, or other parties; and (2) cancel such obligations subject to the President's approval, to the extent that such country makes available assets or policy commitments to promote the goals of this Act. Authorizes grantees or contractees to retain interest earned on the proceeds of debt-for-development or debt-for-environment purchases or exchanges pending the disbursement of such proceeds and interest for the purposes for which assistance was provided. Authorizes Federal agencies to: (1) furnish services and commodities on an advance-of-funds or reimbursement basis to friendly countries, international organizations, and nongovernmental organizations; and (2) contract with individuals for personal services abroad or in the United States to perform such services in lieu of Federal employees. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 for international disaster assistance. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 for grants to international organizations. Permits the President to withhold contributions from an organization if such organization is denying Israel or other designated countries the right to participate in such organization's activities. Withholds contributions from Libya, Iran, Cuba, and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). Authorizes the withholding of contributions from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East unless the Agency assures that no U.S. contribution is used to assist any refugee who: (1) is receiving military training as a member of the PLO or any other guerrilla organization; or (2) has engaged in any act of terrorism. Declares that the President should (currently, requires) seek evaluation and auditing of programs of the United Nations, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Development Association, the International Finance Corporation, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Inter-American Investment Corporation, the African Development Bank, the African Development Fund, the Asian Development Fund, and the Asian Development Bank. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 for operating expenses of the agency (administering agency) designated by the President to administer this title and of the Office of Inspector General of such agency. Permits such agency to expend funds in advance of appropriations to maintain operations at posts abroad for up to three days. Declares that the President should establish a program performance evaluation capacity to: (1) develop a program performance information system to afford such agency's managers a means for monitoring achievement of impact and interim performance of the agency's major programs; (2) prepare and disseminate reports on the agency's progress in meeting development objectives for major assistance categories and recipient countries; (3) strengthen the implementation of foreign assistance projects; and (4) coordinate with the Inspector General of such agency to ensure complementarity of efforts. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the sustained participation of U.S. private voluntary organizations, cooperatives, and credit unions that are engaged in development activities serves as an important means of improving the lives of the poor in developing countries; (2) sustained participation of U.S. colleges and universities in the economic development programs of developing countries is vital to such countries' achievement of economic growth and open democratic political systems; and (3) such sustained participation would be enhanced by providing such organizations the opportunity to participate in the planning, development, and implementation of programs involving such organizations. Encourages the President to establish a partnership with such organizations to achieve the attainment of goals concerning development assistance. Title II: Military Assistance and Related Assistance and Sales Programs - Chapter 1: Consolidation and Revision of Accounts - Revises policy provisions concerning military assistance. Revises the President's authority to furnish military assistance to friendly countries to permit the President to: (1) finance the sale of defense articles or services; or (2) finance the procurement of such articles (under certain circumstances) by any member country of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) or any major non-NATO ally through leases from U.S. commercial suppliers. Requires sales under the Defense Trade and Export Control Act (formerly, the Arms Export Control Act) which are wholly paid from funds made available on a grant basis under this Act or were transferred or made available under former authorities prior to this Act's enactment to be priced to exclude the costs of salaries of members of the U.S. armed forces (other than members of the Coast Guard) and unfunded estimated costs of civilian retirement and other benefits. Permits the financing of the procurement of defense articles and services not sold by the U.S. Government only if the country or international organization proposing to make such procurement has signed an agreement with the United States specifying the conditions under which the procurement may be financed. Requires such agreements to grant the U.S. Government the right to deobligate any furnished funds that have not been committed for an approved use three years after the effective date of such an agreement. Authorizes assistance provided under this chapter to be on a grant, credit, or guarantee basis. Outlines criteria to be considered by the President in determining the terms of assistance. Outlines disbursement procedures for funds used to finance the procurement of defense articles and services. Makes such assistance available to a foreign country to make payments to the United States for credits or loans for defense articles or services granted under predecessor military sales or foreign assistance legislation. Revises provisions concerning eligibility for the receipt of defense articles or services and makes them applicable to the financing of such articles or services. Makes defense articles sold or leased under the Defense Trade and Export Control Act or furnished under predecessor foreign assistance or military sales legislation subject to the eligibility provisions of this title. Raises the ceiling on the value of defense articles and services authorized to be made available under certain emergencies. Revises and combines provisions concerning transfers of excess defense articles. Authorizes the transfer of: (1) excess defense articles (currently, nonlethal articles) to countries for which a foreign military financing program was justified in the fiscal year in which the transfer is authorized; and (2) excess property of the Coast Guard on the same basis as Department of Defense property is transferred. Declares that decisions to furnish foreign military financing assistance should take into account whether such assistance will: (1) contribute to an arms race; (2) increase the possibility of outbreak or escalation of conflict; or (3) prejudice the development of multilateral arms control arrangements. Permits such assistance to be provided for civic action in Africa. Authorizes appropriations for such assistance for FY 1992. Revises provisions concerning the location of stockpiles. Places a ceiling on the value of additions to stockpiles during FY 1992. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 for: (1) international military education and training; and (2) peacekeeping activities. Removes conditions on the type of arms on the U.S. Munitions List that may be provided for antiterrorism assistance. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 for antiterrorism assistance. Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Arms Export Control Act. Revises a provision regarding the Guaranty Reserve Fund and redesignates the Fund as the Foreign Military Loan Liquidating Account. Repeals a provision concerning the availability of funds for procurement of defense articles and services outside the United States. Permits the President to waive requirements under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 concerning the disposition of defense articles and services furnished before the effective date of this title. Chapter 2: Foreign Military Sales Program - Amends the Arms Export Control Act to rename such Act as the Defense Trade and Export Control Act. Repeals a provision concerning purposes for military sales or leases. Deems references to the Arms Export Control Act to be references to the Defense Trade and Export Control Act. Authorizes the President, by notifying the Congress, to designate a country as a major non-NATO ally or terminate such a designation. Deems Australia, Egypt, Israel, Japan, and the Republic of Korea to have been so designated by the President. Revises provisions concerning presidential certifications and congressional procedures for certain arms transfers. Raises the threshold on the dollar amount of defense equipment or services on which the President is required to submit specified certifications. Deems to be defense articles or services (for purposes of import and export controls) articles or services having military or intelligence applications. Requires articles and services that have gained a predominant civil application to be removed from the U.S. Munitions List. Disqualifies for financing under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 for 12 months any contracts of a person convicted or debarred for a violation of international traffic in arms regulations under the Defense Trade and Export Control Act. Authorizes the President to impose controls to prevent the proliferation of nuclear-capable missiles and chemical, biological, and related weapons. Permits charges for defense articles sold or licensed or approved for export after September 30, 1991, to exclude nonrecurring costs of research on or development or production of such articles. Replaces the authorities of specified Federal officials under the Defense Trade and Export Control Act with the authority of the President. Repeals an exemption to a prohibition on the resale of military firearms furnished to foreign governments. Repeals provisions concerning: (1) reports and price availability estimates; (2) discrimination; (3) restraint in arms sales to Subsaharan Africa; (4) foreign military sales credit standards; (5) foreign military sales to less developed countries; and (6) the crediting of registration fees. Title III: Overseas Private Investment Corporation; Trade and Development Agency - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to revise provisions concerning the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC). Limits the amount of OPIC's equity investments under a pilot program to 49 percent per project for projects in Eastern Europe. Directs OPIC to give preferential consideration in its investment insurance, reinsurance, and guarantee activities to investment projects sponsored by or involving U.S. small business or cooperatives. Permits OPIC to establish a revolving fund to be available solely for a pilot equity finance program. Authorizes (currently, requires) OPIC to charge fees for any service performed under this title. Provides for annual (currently, triennial) financial audits of OPIC. Authorizes the Inspector General of the administering agency (currently, the Agency for International Development) to conduct audits, investigations, and security activities with respect to OPIC. Eliminates OPIC's exemption from Federal taxation. Revises the authorities of the Director of the Trade and Development Agency (replaces the Trade and Development Program). Requires the Agency to disseminate information about its activities to the private sector. Sets forth the duties of the Inspector General of the administering agency with respect to the Agency. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992. Title IV: Special Authorities, Restrictions on Assistance, and Reports - Revises provisions concerning special authorities of the President with respect to the furnishing of assistance and arms export sales, credits, and guaranties. Raises the ceilings on the amount of arms sales or leases, foreign assistance, and foreign currencies authorized to be furnished or used under the President's special authority to waive restrictions on assistance. Raises the ceilings on the amounts of such assistance that may be provided to any one country. Exempts from such limitation assistance for countries that are the victims of active (currently, Communist or Communist-supported) aggression. Authorizes the President to use funds (other than funds for foreign military financing or international military education and training) under this Act for unanticipated contingencies. Places an annual ceiling on such assistance. Prohibits such assistance from being used for gifts to foreign officials. Makes specified amounts of economic support and foreign military financing assistance available for emergency use to promote economic, political, or military stability. Authorizes the President to adopt as a U.S. contract or obligation any contract with a U.S. or third-country contractor that had been funded with assistance prior to the termination of such assistance. Applies assistance termination provisions to any provision of law concerning such terminations. Revises provisions concerning prohibitions on assistance. Adds to the list of restrictions prohibitions on assistance for: (1) a country whose government engages in a consistent pattern of human rights violations; (2) a country whose elected head of government is deposed by a military coup; and (3) a country that is a major drug producing or transit country if the country has not cooperated with the United States and has not taken adequate steps to control the illicit cultivation, production, trafficking, and abuse of narcotic and psychotropic drugs. Exempts from such prohibition assistance: (1) that is important to U.S. national interests, provided that such assistance will further U.S. nonproliferation objectives; (2) for the alleviation of suffering resulting from a natural or manmade disaster; (3) that benefits needy people; and (4) that will be furnished through nongovernmental organizations to promote respect for human rights and democracy. Prohibits the provision of such assistance until the President reports to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Requires the President to maintain a list of Communist countries for purposes of restricting assistance. Authorizes the President to remove or exempt a country from the list or prohibitions on assistance, provided that such removal or exemption is reported to the Speaker of the House and the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Directs the President to report to such individuals on the rescission of a determination that a country provides support for international terrorism. Prohibits assistance to any country which is more than one year in arrears to the U.S. Government on loan payments under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 or former authorities of the Arms Export Control Act. Prohibits economic assistance from being made available to: (1) any organization or program which supports or manages a program of coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization; or (2) any foreign nongovernmental organization which performs or promotes abortion as a method of family planning. Requires funds for voluntary family planning services to be available only for projects which offer a broad range of family planning methods and services. Declares that the President should consider, in determining whether to provide economic assistance, whether assistance would be furnished to support any project designed to increase exports of agricultural, textile, or apparel commodities from developing countries that: (1) would be in direct competition with U.S. exports; and (2) can be expected to cause injury to U.S. exporters of the same or a similar commodity. Prohibits economic assistance from being used to influence the outcome of any election. Prohibits U.S. armed forces detailed to provide defense services, military education and training, or management of overseas military assistance programs from performing combat duties outside the United States in connection with such services. Outlines required elements of annual congressional presentation documents on foreign assistance. Revises provisions regarding U.S. assistance policies and human rights. Directs the President to report annually to the Congress on human rights practices in countries that are members of the United Nations. Revises provisions concerning congressional notification for program changes. Title V: General Provisions - Revises provisions regarding presidential authorities under this Act. Authorizes the President to designate an agency to administer economic assistance under this Act. Revises provisions regarding general authorities. Permits contracts which entail commitments for the expenditure of funds under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to be extended for up to ten (currently, five) years. Revises provisions regarding administrative uses of funds. Permits funds to be used for programs under the Agricultural Act of 1949 and the Food for Progress Act of 1985. Removes funding limitations on assistance for the construction of living quarters, offices, schools, and hospitals abroad and for assistance to schools educating dependents of personnel abroad. Permits economic assistance funds to be used to reimburse Federal or State agencies or institutions of higher education that detail employees for economic assistance programs that require specialized technical skills. Provides that if an amount appropriated for any fiscal year to carry out a provision of this Act is less than the authorization amount and the provision calls for earmarked funds, such funds shall be deemed to be reduced to an amount bearing the same ratio to such funds as the amount appropriated bears to the authorization amount. Sets forth provisions concerning the generation and use of local currencies. Revises provisions concerning the use of local currencies owned by the United States. Authorizes nongovernmental organizations to invest local currencies accrued as a result of economic assistance provided by this Act and other specified Acts and to use interest earned on investments for assistance purposes. Revises provisions concerning the use of private enterprise for the procurement of commodities and defense articles. Authorizes the use of Federal facilities for technical assistance purposes when such facilities are not competitive with private enterprise. Revises provisions concerning procurement standards and procedures. Allows (currently, requires) the use of excess personal property or property already owned by a Federal agency (if a substantial savings would occur) in lieu of, or supplementary to, the procurement of new items for U.S.-assisted programs. Revises provisions concerning the use of excess property. Removes a ceiling on the amount of domestic excess property that may be held. Prohibits excess property from being used for economic assistance purposes unless approval is given and the President makes specified determinations regarding such property. Authorizes the use of economic assistance funds to pay transportation charges on shipments by the American National Red Cross and by registered U.S. private voluntary organizations. Revises provisions concerning personnel. Permits personnel detailed to foreign governments or international organizations to be assigned on a leave without pay status. Authorizes the detailing of Department of Defense personnel to any civil office to carry out this Act. Revises provisions concerning discrimination against U.S. personnel. Title VI: Technical and Conforming Provisions - Prohibits U.S. courts from declining on the ground of the Federal Act of State Doctrine to make a determination on the merits of international law in any case in which claim of title or right to property is asserted by any party, based upon a confiscation after January 1, 1959, by a state in violation of international law. Exempts from such prohibition cases in which: (1) an act of a foreign state is not contrary to international law or cases with respect to a right to property acquired pursuant to an irrevocable letter of credit issued in good faith prior to the time of taking; or (2) the President determines that application of such doctrine is required by U.S. foreign policy interests. Amends Federal provisions governing coins and currency to grant the Secretary of the Treasury: (1) responsibility with respect to foreign credits owed to or by the United States; and (2) sole authority to establish for all foreign currencies or credits the exchange rates at which such currencies are to be reported by Federal agencies. Authorizes the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission, at the request of the President, to report on the value of any property of any U.S. person expropriated by a foreign government. Prohibits Federal employees from effecting arrests in foreign countries as part of foreign police actions with respect to narcotics control. Lists exceptions to such prohibition. Prohibits Federal employees from interrogating or being present during the interrogation of any U.S. person arrested in a foreign country with respect to narcotics control efforts without such person's written consent. Exempts from such prohibition members of the U.S. armed forces carrying out responsibilities under Status of Forces arrangements. Makes technical and conforming amendments to specified Acts. Repeals specified Acts. Title VII: Special Assistance Initiatives - Chapter 1: Development Fund for Africa - Authorizes project and program assistance for development in Subsaharan Africa. Requires the purpose of such assistance to be to help the poor majority of men and women in Subsaharan Africa to participate in a process of long-term development through economic growth that is equitable, participatory, environmentally sustainable, and self-reliant. Provides that such assistance should also promote sustained economic growth, encourage private sector development, promote individual initiatives, and help to reduce the role of central governments in areas more appropriate for the private sector. Declares that: (1) the local-level perspective of the rural and urban poor in Subsaharan Africa should be taken into account during the planning process for project assistance under this Act; and (2) consultations should be undertaken with private and voluntary organizations which have demonstrated effectiveness in or commitment to the promotion of local grassroots activities on behalf of development in Subsaharan Africa; (3) local people should be consulted and involved in projects that have a local focus; and (4) the President should ensure that development activities expand the participation and integration of African women in certain critical sectors. Requires assistance provided by this Act to emphasize projects to address critical sectoral priorities for development. Authorizes assistance to promote national economic policy reforms. Requires such reforms to include provisions to protect vulnerable groups, especially poor farmers and the urban poor, from possible negative consequences of such reforms. Designates as the critical sectoral priorities for long-term development: (1) increased agricultural production and the maintenance and restoration of renewable natural resources; (2) improved health conditions; (3) voluntary family planning services; (4) improved relevance and efficiency of education; and (5) development of income generating opportunities for the unemployed and underemployed. Imposes minimum levels of assistance for certain critical sectors. Declares that assistance provided under this Act should be concentrated in countries that will make the most effective use of such assistance. Allows assistance to be made available to: (1) assist Subsaharan African countries to increase their capacity to participate in donor coordination mechanisms at the country, regional, and sector levels; and (2) assist sector projects supported by the Southern African Development Coordination Conference. Authorizes assistance to South Africa for: (1) grants to nongovernmental organizations promoting efforts to foster a just society and help the victims of apartheid; (2) assistance to political detainees and prisoners and their families and to support actions of black community organizations to resist, through nonviolent means, the enforcement of apartheid policies; and (3) activities to assist in an end to apartheid and in the establishment of a society based on nonracial principles. Permits such grants to be only for organizations whose character and membership reflect the objective of a majority of South Africans for an end to apartheid and for interracial cooperation and justice. Authorizes appropriations. Expresses the sense of the Congress that there should be periodic evaluations of the progress of the administering agency in achieving assistance goals in Subsaharan Africa. Chapter 2: Assistance for Eastern Europe - Sets forth U.S. policy and objectives with respect to assistance for Eastern Europe. Declares that the United States should provide assistance for eligible East European countries that are taking steps toward: (1) political pluralism; (2) economic reform; (3) respect for human rights; and (4) a willingness to build a friendly relationship with the United States. Defines an eligible East European country as Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Romania, Yugoslavia, and any other East European country taking such steps. Requires the basic objectives of such assistance to be the promotion of democracy and the encouragement of free market systems. Lists authorized types of assistance. Permits the President to furnish assistance to eligible East European countries. Provides that any authority in the Support for East European Democracy (SEED) Act of 1989 to furnish assistance for Poland or Hungary may be deemed to authorize assistance for any eligible East European country. Permits the President to use any funds made available for assistance for Eastern Europe under the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1991 to provide balance of payments support with respect to eligible East European countries. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should use the authorities provided under the SEED Act and this Act to provide stabilization assistance to assist Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and other East European countries the President deems appropriate. Authorizes appropriations. Permits the President to: (1) designate Enterprise Funds for any country in Eastern Europe in the same manner and with the same authorities and limitations applicable to the Enterprise Funds for Poland and Hungary established pursuant to the SEED Act; and (2) provide funding and support to the Funds. Authorizes U.S. agencies that are authorized to provide assistance or conduct programs for Poland or Hungary pursuant to the SEED Act to provide such assistance or conduct such programs for eligible East European countries. Permits the President to authorize agencies to implement programs for management and technical assistance for governments and private enterprises in Eastern European countries. Makes appropriations to carry out this chapter available for contracting with individuals for personal services. Chapter 3: Multilateral Assistance Initiative for the Philippines - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the United States should participate with multilateral financial institutions and other bilateral donors in an economic reform and development program in the Philippines; and (2) a commitment of resources by the United States, donors, and such institutions and a reform effort and leadership role by the Government of the Philippines will be necessary to ensure economic growth in the Philippines and enhanced participation of the Filipino people in the democratic process. Authorizes the President to provide assistance to promote the goals of this Act. Links such assistance to progress by the Government of the Philippines in implementing its economic, structural, judicial, and administrative reform program. Authorizes appropriations. Limits the amount of appropriations for FY 1992. Expresses the sense of the Congress that prior to requesting additional amounts to carry out this Act, the President should take into account: (1) the progress being made by the Philippines toward achieving reform objectives; (2) the extent of participation by the bilateral donors and multilateral financial institutions; and (3) the efforts to coordinate the assistance program. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the coordination of objectives and programs by donors, institutions, and the Government of the Philippines is critical to the success of the multilateral assistance program; (2) all donors should simplify procurement and disbursement procedures to ensure that conditions on the provision or use of assistance are complementary; and (3) the Philippines should establish internal procedures that will ensure the most effective use of such assistance. Title VIII: Presidential Contingency Fund - Authorizes appropriations to the President for FY 1992 for unanticipated contingencies in programs within the International Affairs Budget Function. Title IX: Authorizations for Fiscal Year 1993 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 to carry out programs for which appropriations for FY 1992 are authorized by this Act.
Bill· SS. 944 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1991
Airspace Protection Act of 1991 - Requires the Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), to provide written notice on any proposed designation of special use airspace to: (1) the Governor of any State over which airspace is sought to be designated as special use airspace; (2) the head of an Indian tribe on any Indian lands which are likely to be affected by such designation; (3) the Secretary of the Interior, if such designation includes airspace above any national park, national wildlife refuge, national wild and scenic river, national trail, or national wilderness administered by the Department of the Interior; and (4) each group of users of such airspace. Directs the Secretary of Transportation, upon the request of any Governor, to hold a public meeting and consider comments prior to making a determination with respect to such designation. Requires the Secretary (acting through the FAA) and the Secretary of Defense to adopt procedures for assuring that such designations comply with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Provides for the triennial review of each designation. Requires the termination or modification of any designation if it is determined that the use of such airspace cannot justify the continued designation of special use airspace.
Bill· SS. 939 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1991
Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to declare that it is U.S. policy to protect the quality and quantity of groundwater resources.
Law· SJRESS.J.Res. 132 (102nd)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1991
Designates the week of October 13 through 19, 1991, as National Radon Action Week.
Law· HRH.R. 2100 (102nd)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1991
Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1992/1993 - Title I: Procurement - Authorizes appropriations to the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force for FY 1992 and 1993 for: (1) aircraft; (2) missiles; (3) weapons; (4) tracked combat vehicles; (5) ammunition; (6) shipbuilding and conversion; and (7) other procurement. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) FY 1992 and 1993 for the defense agencies and the chemical demilitarization program; and (2) FY 1992 for the Defense Inspector General. Title II: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 and 1993 for the armed forces, the defense agencies, the Deputy Director of Defense Research and Engineering, and the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation for research, development, test, and evaluation. Title III: Operation and Maintenance - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 and 1993 for operation and maintenance for the Army, the Navy, the Marine Corps, the Air Force, the defense agencies, the reserve components of the armed forces, the National Guard, the National Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice, the Defense Inspector General, drug interdiction and counter-drug activities, defense, the Court of Military Appeals, environmental restoration, and humanitarian assistance. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 and 1993 for working capital funds of the armed forces and the defense agencies. Title IV: Military Personnel Authorizations for Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993 - Part A: Active Forces - Authorizes end strengths for active-duty forces for FY 1992 and 1993. Part B: Reserve Forces - Authorizes end strengths for reserve components of the armed forces for FY 1992 and 1993. Authorizes end strength variation and reductions for the Selected Reserve components of the armed forces for each such fiscal year. Authorizes end strengths for FY 1992 and 1993 for reserve personnel serving on active duty in support of the reserves. Authorizes increases for each such fiscal year in the number of certain personnel authorized to be on active duty in support of the reserves. Part C: Military Training Student Loads - Authorizes the average military training student loads for FY 1992 and 1993. Provides for the adjustment of such student loads consistent with manpower strengths authorized under this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 2095 (102nd)passed
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1991
Federal Recycling Incentive Act - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to direct the Administrator of General Services to: (1) establish, and periodically modify, a program requiring each Federal department, agency, or instrumentality to separate and collect solid waste (including high-grade paper, newspapers, aluminum, bottles, and containers) for recycling; (2) establish and implement a system for monitoring and enforcing the provisions of this Act; and (3) report periodically to the Congress as to the extent of compliance for the preceding 12-month period. Authorizes any such entity to retain any moneys received from the sale of such waste for use in carrying out its functions. Authorizes appropriations.
Report· Unterrichtung durch das Europäische Parlament11/3900open
Germany · German Bundestag · 25 April 1991
Entwicklung einer gemeinschaftlichen Städtepolitik mit Maßnahmen zum Schutz und zur Verbesserung der Umweltqualität durch die EG-Kommission, Verbesserung der Müllentsorgung und des Recyclings durch Abfallbewirtschaftungsprojekte, Berücksichtigung der Probleme der Stadtgemeinden in den EG-Strukturfonds, Verringerung der Verkehrsüberlastung der Stadtzentren (Erweiterung der Fußgängerzonen, Einschränkung des Kraftfahrzeugverkehrs), Einrichtung von Dienststellen für städtespezifische Fragen, Ausarbeitung eines Berichts zur städtischen Umweltqualität in Europa durch den Ausschuß für Umweltfragen des nächsten EP (Maßnahmen gegen Luftverschmutzung und Lärmbelästigung, zum Schutz der Grund- und Oberflächengewässer und zur Verkehrseinschränkung
Bill· HRH.R. 2052 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1991
Solano Project Transfer and Putah Creek Improvement Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to transfer all title to certain water supply facilities of the Solano Project, California, in accordance with an agreement to enhance Putah Creek and other specified conditions, to an organization representing the users of water from the Project after such organization makes a specified payment to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Requires the Secretary to retain title to Lake Berryessa, Federal lands surrounding the Lake, and specified recreational facilities. Authorizes and directs the Secretary to participate in a program, at full Federal cost, to enhance the instream, riparian, and environmental values of Putah Creek. Authorizes appropriations. Provides that all proceeds from the transfer of the Solano Project will be dedicated to environmental purposes.
Bill· HRH.R. 2083 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1991
Circle of Poison Prevention Act of 1991 - Title I: Exported Pesticides - Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to require pesticide producers operating registered establishments to inform the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency of: (1) the types and quantities of pesticides and active ingredients used in producing pesticides for export to a foreign country; and (2) the date of export and quantity of such materials exported to each foreign country to which the producer has exported during the past 365-day period. Provides that specified information on exported pesticides shall not be entitled to confidential trade secret treatment. Makes it unlawful to export a pesticide or device in violation of FIFRA export requirements. Prohibits the exportation of a pesticide or device unless: (1) such materials are prepared and packaged according to the specifications of the foreign purchaser and the legal requirements of the country of use; and (2) the label of the pesticide is written in the official language of the country of use and contains all information required to be included in the labeling for such pesticide in the United States. Prohibits the exportation of a pesticide to a country of use if: (1) the registrations for pesticides containing an active ingredient that is included in such pesticide that account for nearly all of the uses of such ingredient have been canceled; (2) the tolerances for an active ingredient in such pesticide that account for nearly all the uses of such ingredient have been revoked; or (3) an active ingredient of the pesticide is ineligible for reregistration. Prohibits such exports (including pesticides used for agricultural production) unless: (1) the pesticide is registered; or (2) all of the active ingredients in the pesticide are the subject of a food tolerance. Requires exporters, prior to the shipment of certain pesticides, to provide specified information to the Administrator. Prohibits the exportation of any pesticide to a country of use that: (1) has refused consent; or (2) has given conditional consent unless the conditions on which the consent was given are met. Prohibits refusals to consent unless the country certifies that it is not producing or importing and will not produce or import the pesticide or a similar product with the same active ingredient. Waives certain requirements, upon the request of a country of use and subject to certain determinations by the Administrator, to permit the export of pesticides not meeting FIFRA requirements to: (1) prevent or arrest the spread of a communicable disease; or (2) stop or prevent the spread of a pest that is destroying or will destroy quantities of the country's food supply so as to result in widespread famine. Permits the export of pesticides for experimental use in foreign countries if specified conditions are met. Directs the Administrator to submit information to the Secretary of Health and Human Services concerning inspections for pesticide residues in imported foods conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services. Requires the Administrator to notify foreign countries and the International Register of Potentially Toxic Chemicals whenever regulatory action is taken with respect to a pesticide. Directs the Administrator to: (1) convene meetings with foreign governments and other interested parties to promote the implementation of improved research and regulatory programs for pest management and strategies for sustainable agriculture and to encourage the adoption of a multilateral convention requiring standard notice and pesticide export control measures; and (2) provide foreign countries with technical assistance to develop pesticide regulatory programs. Permits persons to bring civil actions to secure the imposition of penalties on persons who violate pesticide export requirements. Prohibits civil actions from being initiated on the basis of the same unlawful acts that form the basis of existing proceedings for criminal violations. Requires the Comptroller General to report to the Congress every four years on: (1) the operation and effect of this Act; and (2) how exported pesticides and their containers are used and disposed of and on their impact on the public health and the environment of countries of use. Title II: Pesticide Residue Monitoring - Amends the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 to direct the Food and Drug Administration to summarize the volume of each food product subject to the requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act imported into the United States in quantities determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to be commercial quantities (currently, products having an entry value exceeding an amount established by the Secretary). Requires the summary to: (1) be made by food product, country of origin, port of entry, pesticides monitored by the Secretary, pesticide residues detected, and the quantity of each pesticide exported from the United States for agricultural use; and (2) indicate the volume of each type of food tested for pesticide residues, arranged by pesticide, food, and country of origin. Title III: Pesticide Tolerances - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Administrator, if a registration under FIFRA for a pesticide to be used on food is canceled or modified to prohibit its use in connection with food, to revoke any tolerance or exemption that permits the presence of the pesticide on the food. Suspends tolerances or exemptions for pesticides used on food if such use is suspended under FIFRA. Authorizes the Administrator, if a residue of a canceled or suspended pesticide will persist in the environment and be present on a food, to establish a tolerance for the pesticide at a level that permits the residue to remain and will protect public health. Requires the Administrator to reduce the tolerance for any suspended or canceled pesticide annually if any decrease in the pesticide's residual environmental contamination or residues on food has occurred. Prohibits the Administrator from establishing or continuing a tolerance for a pesticide chemical residue unless the best available, practical method for detecting and measuring the levels of the residue on a food exists. Title IV: Pesticide Information - Prohibits the importation of a raw agricultural commodity into U.S. customs territory unless the commodity importer files with the Secretary and the Secretary of the Treasury a document identifying each pesticide chemical used in connection with the commodity. Requires such importers, if unreported pesticides are detected in such commodities, to submit residue analyses for such pesticides. Waives reporting requirements for unreported pesticides if the presence of such pesticides is attributable to long-term environmental persistence and does not pose a health risk. Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, and the Egg Products Inspection Act to apply such requirements to importers of meat, poultry, and eggs. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1954 to add to the list of annual reporting requirements of agricultural attaches a report on the customary use of pesticides in the production of agricultural commodities in foreign countries. Title V: Effective Dates - Sets forth the effective dates for provisions of this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 2082 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1991
National Biological Diversity Conservation Act - Declares that the conservation of biological diversity is a national goal. Establishes the Interagency Working Committee on Biological Diversity to: (1) prepare a coordinated Federal strategy for the conservation of biological diversity; and (2) issue guidance to Federal agencies regarding biodiversity impact assessment. Dissolves the Committee upon its submission of the strategy to the Congress. Sets forth required elements of the strategy. Requires the Council on Environmental Quality to identify the Federal agencies that conduct programs having a significant impact on biological diversity. Directs such agencies to: (1) review its actions and programs biennially for consistency with the Federal strategy; and (2) report the results of such reviews to the Council. Requires the Council to review such reports biennially and report to the Congress on the consistency of Federal programs with the strategy. Directs the President to establish a National Center for Biological Diversity and Conservation Research. Requires the Center to: (1) identify gaps in the understanding of biological diversity and develop a plan for filling such gaps; (2) issue grants to private institutions for projects to contribute to implementation of the plan; (3) provide information to the Interagency Committee in preparation of the Federal strategy; (4) develop a plan for the establishment of a clearinghouse; and (5) identify species and natural communities of special concern. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a biological diversity grant program for purposes of monitoring the status of plants, invertebrate organisms, terrestrial communities, and freshwater aquatic communities and species. Limits the Federal share of grant activities to 75 percent of the total cost. Requires the Secretary to identify: (1) the types of natural communities native to the United States; (2) the types of communities that do not occur in at least three protected areas of sufficient size to maintain populations of the species of plants and animals associated with such communities; (3) the types of communities that are especially rich in terms of the number of native species they contain; and (4) the location on Federal lands of communities identified under (2) and (3). Directs the Secretary to issue regulations establishing requirements for considering areas of lands to be protected areas for purposes of this Act. Prohibits lands from being considered as protected areas unless the lands are: (1) managed primarily for the purpose of maintaining viable populations of native plants and animals and self-sustaining natural communities; and (2) subject to permanent land use restrictions to ensure the protection of such plants, animals, and communities. Requires Federal agency heads to consult with the Secretary regarding the management actions necessary to maintain natural communities on Federal lands identified under this Act and to ensure the long-term sustainability of such communities. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 2051 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1991
Antarctica Tourism Act of 1991 - Directs the Under Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism to issue regulations applicable to tour operators and tourists traveling to Antarctica to prevent or minimize harmful effects from tourism on: (1) native mammals, birds, and plants and the living conditions of such mammals and birds; (2) the scientific value of Antarctica; and (3) the land and marine environment of Antarctica. Lists minimum requirements of such regulations, including: (1) the establishment of qualifications for tour guides; (2) a requirement that tour operators employ a sufficient number of guides to educate, supervise, and monitor tourists; (3) a prohibition on entering specially protected areas; (4) the establishment of specified guidelines for tourist activities; and (5) the establishment of training programs on the requirements of this Act and the Antarctic Treaty System. Requires the Under Secretary, in issuing such regulations, to: (1) consider designating areas of Antarctica for visits by tourists and limiting the size of tourist groups and the number of tours to Antarctica in a specified period of time; and (2) review measures implemented by the National Park Service and the Government of Ecuador (with respect to the Galapagos Archipelago) to control the impacts of tourism. Directs the Under Secretary to issue regulations governing solid waste storage and disposal practices of tour operators. Requires the Under Secretary to issue regulations to: (1) annually determine whether excursions of tour operators will have an impact on Antarctica's environment; and (2) mitigate such impact. Directs tour operators to submit proposed tour itineraries to the Under Secretary and permits the Under Secretary to require adjustments in such itineraries to mitigate negative effects on Antarctica's environment. Requires tour operators, at least 90 days before commencing a tourist excursion to Antarctica, to report to the Under Secretary on: (1) the anticipated number of persons on, and route for, the excursion; (2) points of interest that the excursion will visit; and (3) any other information required by the Under Secretary. Directs tour operators, within 30 days of completing such an excursion, to report to the Under Secretary on: (1) the actual number of passengers on, and the route for, the excursion; (2) the points of interest visited, the length of time spent at each point of interest, and the number of persons visiting each point of interest; (3) any interference with or disruption of native fauna, flora, or habitat that may have occurred on the excursion; (4) any injuries or loss of life or property that may have occurred on the excursion; and (5) any other information required by the Under Secretary. Requires the Under Secretary to issue regulations establishing requirements for licensing tour operators. Prohibits tour operators from providing services for excursions to Antarctica except in compliance with a license. Prohibits any person from constructing, financing, or providing assistance for the development of any land-based tourist facilities in Antarctica. Requires the Under Secretary to establish a program under which a certified observer shall accompany tourist expeditions to Antarctica to monitor tour compliance with specified laws and carry out educational and scientific functions. Directs the Under Secretary to collect annual fees from tour operators to cover the costs of providing observers. Establishes the Antarctica Tourism Observer Fund and provides for the deposit of fees in the Fund. Prescribes civil penalties for violations of this Act. Sets forth provisions concerning citizen suits.
Bill· HRH.R. 2084 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1991
Requires water quality criteria for dioxin published pursuant to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to ensure that the application of such criteria to a State's waters will limit the probability to not more than 1 in 1,000,000 that an individual with high exposure to dioxins in such waters will be diagnosed with cancer as a result of lifetime exposure. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to revise such criteria if they do not meet such requirement. Requires States to submit to the Administrator for approval a chemical-specific numeric water quality standard for dioxin that is at least as stringent as the criteria established by this Act. Sets forth standard approval and modification procedures. Provides that the criteria established for dioxin by this Act shall take effect for any State without an approved standard. Requires the Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service to conduct a study to: (1) assess the impact of discharges of dioxin on wildlife and the aquatic environment; (2) evaluate the potential effects of uptake and accumulation of dioxin in wildlife and aquatic life on the food chain and public health; and (3) evaluate the effectiveness of public health-oriented criteria to protect wildlife and aquatic life from the effects of dioxin discharges.
Bill· HRH.R. 2072 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1991
Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to authorize a State to enforce laws collecting fees in connection with the treatment and disposal within such State of solid waste generated in another State. Permits a State, after the submission to the Administrator of a certification under this Act, to enforce laws regulating the treatment and disposal of solid waste within the State. Authorizes any State which has adopted a 20-year solid waste management plan to submit a certification to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency on the solid waste treatment and disposal capacity of the State. Sets forth minimum requirements of the plan. Permits the Governor of each State which has adopted a 20-year management plan to certify to the Administrator that the State has adequate capacity to manage all solid waste generated in the State or received from other States for the following 60-month period. Exempts specified types of waste from regulation under this Act. Grants congressional approval to agreements or compacts entered into by two or more States for cooperative efforts and mutual assistance for solid waste management. Authorizes the Administrator to promulgate regulations exempting waste types or recycling practices from the authority granted to States under this Act if such action promotes the development of an interstate market for recyclable materials or is necessary to promote environmentally sound waste disposal practices.
Bill· HRH.R. 2053 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1991
Authorizes the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to utilize facilities outside the State of Massachusetts to meet any technology or marketing backup requirements imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency or the State for residuals management. Provides that the Authority shall not be required to own any residuals management facilities so long as such facilities are under the Authority's control for the period of time required under the management program.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 134 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1991
Declares that it is the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States implement the recommendations of the National Academy of Sciences in its report "Policy Implications of Greenhouse Warming."
Bill· SS. 898 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1991
Circle of Poison Prevention Act of 1991 - Title I: Exported Pesticides - Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to require pesticide producers operating registered establishments to inform the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency of: (1) the types and quantities of pesticides and active ingredients used in producing pesticides for export to a foreign country; and (2) the date of export and quantity of such materials exported to each foreign country to which the producer has exported during the past 365-day period. Provides that specified information on exported pesticides shall not be entitled to confidential trade secret treatment. Makes it unlawful to export a pesticide or device in violation of FIFRA export requirements. Prohibits the exportation of a pesticide or device unless: (1) such materials are prepared and packaged according to the specifications of the foreign purchaser and the legal requirements of the country of use; and (2) the label of the pesticide is written in the official language of the country of use and contains all information required to be included in the labeling for such pesticide in the United States. Prohibits the exportation of a pesticide to a country of use if: (1) the registrations for pesticides containing an active ingredient that is included in such pesticide that account for nearly all of the uses of such ingredient have been canceled; (2) the tolerances for an active ingredient in such pesticide that account for nearly all the uses of such ingredient have been revoked; or (3) an active ingredient of the pesticide is ineligible for reregistration. Prohibits such exports (including pesticides used for agricultural production) unless: (1) the pesticide is registered; or (2) all of the active ingredients in the pesticide are the subject of a food tolerance. Requires exporters, prior to the shipment of certain pesticides, to provide specified information to the Administrator. Prohibits the exportation of any pesticide to a country of use that: (1) has refused consent; or (2) has given conditional consent unless the conditions on which the consent was given are met. Prohibits refusals to consent unless the country certifies that it is not producing or importing and will not produce or import the pesticide or a similar product with the same active ingredient. Waives certain requirements, upon the request of a country of use and subject to certain determinations by the Administrator, to permit the export of pesticides not meeting FIFRA requirements to: (1) prevent or arrest the spread of a communicable disease; or (2) stop or prevent the spread of a pest that is destroying or will destroy quantities of the country's food supply so as to result in widespread famine. Permits the export of pesticides for experimental use in foreign countries if specified conditions are met. Directs the Administrator to submit information to the Secretary of Health and Human Services concerning inspection for pesticide residues in imported foods conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services. Requires the Administrator to notify foreign countries and the International Register of Potentially Toxic Chemicals whenever regulatory action is taken with respect to a pesticide. Directs the Administrator to: (1) convene meetings with foreign governments and other interested parties to promote the implementation of improved research and regulatory programs for pest management and strategies for sustainable agriculture and to encourage the adoption of a multilateral convention requiring standard notice and pesticide export control measures; and (2) provide foreign countries with technical assistance to develop pesticide regulatory programs. Permits persons to bring civil actions to secure the imposition of penalties on persons who violate pesticide export requirements. Prohibits civil actions from being initiated on the basis of existing proceedings for criminal violations. Requires the Comptroller General to report to the Congress every four years on: (1) the operation and effect of this Act; and (2) how exported pesticides and their containers are used and disposed of and on their impact on the public health and the environment of countries of use. Title II: Pesticides Residue Monitoring - Amends the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 to direct the Food and Drug Administration to summarize the volume of each food product subject to the requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act imported into the United States in quantities determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to be commercial quantities (currently, products having an entry value exceeding an amount established by the Secretary). Requires the summary to: (1) be made by food product, country of origin, port of entry, pesticides monitored by the Secretary, pesticide residues detected, and the quantity of each pesticide exported from the United States for agricultural use; and (2) indicate the volume of each type of food tested for pesticide residues, arranged by pesticide, food, and country of origin. Title III: Pesticide Tolerances - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Administrator, if a registration under FIFRA for a pesticide to be used on food is canceled or modified to prohibit its use in connection with food, to revoke any tolerance or exemption that permits the presence of the pesticide on the food. Suspends tolerances or exemptions for pesticides used on food if such use is suspended under FIFRA. Authorizes the Administrator, if a residue of a canceled or suspended pesticide will persist in the environment and be present on a food, to establish a tolerance for the pesticide at a level that permits the residue to remain and will protect public health. Requires the Administrator to reduce the tolerance for any suspended or canceled pesticide annually if any decrease in the pesticide's residual environmental contamination or residues on food has occurred. Prohibits the Administrator from establishing or continuing a tolerance for a pesticide chemical residue unless the best available, practical method for detecting and measuring the levels of the residue on a food exists. Title IV: Pesticide Information - Prohibits the importation of a raw agricultural commodity into U.S. customs territory unless the commodity importer files with the Secretary and the Secretary of the Treasury a document identifying each pesticide chemical used in connection with the commodity. Requires such importers, if unreported pesticides are detected in such commodities, to submit residue analyses for such pesticides. Waives reporting requirements for unreported pesticides if the presence of such pesticides is attributable to long-term environmental persistence and does not pose a health risk. Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, and the Egg Products Inspection Act to apply such requirements to importers of meat, poultry, and eggs. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1954 to add to the list of annual reporting requirements of agricultural attaches a report on the customary use of pesticides in the production of agricultural commodities in foreign countries. Title V: Effective Dates - Sets forth the effective dates for provisions of this Act.
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