Environment

Ausweitung der Tiefflüge über dem Harz; Folgen für die Umwelt und die Entwicklung des Tourismus (G-SIG: 12044281)

Germany · German Bundestag · 30 April 1993

Amtliche Mitteilung betr. Möglichkeit für die Gruppen im Deutschen Bundestag, für die Enquete-Kommission "Schutz des Menschen und der Umwelt" je ein beratendes sachverständiges Mitglied zu benennen (G-SIG: 12001471)

Germany · German Bundestag · 30 April 1993

Environmental Equal Rights Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1993

Environmental Equal Rights Act of 1993 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to authorize citizens in a State in which a new solid or hazardous waste management facility is proposed to be constructed in an environmentally disadvantaged community to petition the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency or the State to prevent the facility from being constructed or from operating in such community. Denies such a petition only if the proponent of the proposed facility establishes that: (1) there is no alternative location that poses fewer health and environmental risks; and (2) the facility will not release contaminants or engage in any activity that is likely to increase the cumulative impact of contaminants on the environmentally disadvantaged community. Defines an "environmentally disadvantaged community" as an area within two miles of the borders of a site on which a waste management facility is proposed to be constructed and that meets specified criteria concerning minority populations, poverty, and existing hazardous or solid waste facilities or hazardous waste sites.

Indoor Air Quality Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1993

Indoor Air Quality Act of 1993 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a national research, development, and demonstration program to ensure the quality of indoor air. Requires the Administrator to establish technology demonstration projects which reduce exposure to indoor air contaminants. Requires the Administrator to conduct a national assessment to survey the seriousness and extent of indoor air contamination in buildings owned by local educational agencies and child care facilities. Directs the Administrator to enter into agreements with the National Academy of Sciences for studies on chemical sensitivity disorders and indoor allergens. Requires the Administrator and the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to conduct research on indoor air quality in nonresidential, nonindustrial buildings that comply with generally accepted principles of design, maintenance, and operation of ventilation, filtration, and other building systems. Requires the Director to develop a model indoor air quality training course in ventilation system operation and maintenance and in identifying and reducing indoor air contaminant exposures. Directs the Administrator to publish health advisories on indoor air contaminants which may have adverse effects. Requires the Administrator to establish a national indoor air quality clearinghouse and toll-free hotline. Directs the Administrator to analyze the adequacy of existing ventilation standards and guidelines to protect the public from indoor air contaminants. Requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission to develop test methods for the identification and regulation of respiratory irritants. Directs the Administrator to publish a strategy for a national response to indoor air quality problems. Requires the Director to develop programs to evaluate and remedy indoor air contamination in Federal buildings. Directs Federal agencies to implement systematic programs for the assessment of indoor air quality and the correction of conditions resulting in inadequate air quality. Authorizes grants to States for the development of indoor air quality management strategies and response programs. Authorizes appropriations.

Former Soviet Union Nuclear Threat Reduction Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1993

Former Soviet Union Nuclear Threat Reduction Act of 1993 - Directs the President to establish a program to reduce the environmental and national security threats from nuclear facilities in the former Soviet Union. Requires the President to establish multilateral technical working groups with the appropriate independent states of the former Soviet Union and other nations capable of producing nuclear weapons to examine monitoring and inspection arrangements that could be applied to verification. Authorizes the President to provide assistance under this Act only upon certification to the Congress that the country: (1) has ratified the Treaty on the Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (START I); (2) has acceded to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons; (3) is eligible for specified demilitarization and nonproliferation and disarmament assistance under other Acts; and (4) will not use assistance to support the continued operation or enhancement of plants for chemical separation of plutonium from fission products in spent nuclear fuel. Sets forth reporting requirements. Transfers funds from amounts appropriated to the Department of Energy for prior years for programs under this Act.

Environmental Health Equity Information Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1993

Environmental Health Equity Information Act of 1993 - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to direct the Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to collect and maintain information on the race, age, gender, ethnic origin, income and educational levels, and duration of residence at present locations of residents of communities adjacent to areas closed or otherwise restricted in use because of toxic substance contamination.

To amend the Rules of the House of Representatives and the Standing Rules of the Senate to abolish the requirement that appropriations be authorized by laws, and to eliminate unnecessary duplication in the functions of the standing committees of the House and Senate, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1993

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Jurisdictions of Standing Committees of the House of Representatives Title II: Jurisdictions of Standing Committees of the Senate Title III: Effective Date Title I: Jurisdictions of Standing Committees of the House of Representatives - Amends rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to revise the standing committees of the House and their jurisdictions. Lists the standing committees as: (1) Agriculture; (2) Armed Services; (3) Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs; (4) Budget; (5) Commerce, Science, and Transportation; (6) Education and Labor; (7) Energy and Natural Resources; (8) Environment and Public Works; (9) Foreign Affairs; (10) Governmental Affairs; (11) House Administration; (12) Intelligence (currently, a permanent select committee); (13) Judiciary; (14) Rules; (15) Small Business; (16) Standards of Official Conduct; (17) Veterans' Affairs; and (18) Ways and Means. Abolishes the following standing committees of the House: (1) Appropriations; (2) District of Columbia; (3) Government Operations; (4) Interior and Insular Affairs; (5) Merchant Marine and Fisheries; (6) Post Office and Civil Service; (7) Public Works and Transportation; and (8) Science, Space, and Technology. Amends rule XXI to repeal the prohibitions against: (1) reporting or considering appropriations for expenditures not previously authorized; and (2) receiving or considering an appropriation bill or amendment containing a provision reappropriating unexpended balances. Title II: Jurisdictions of Standing Committees of the Senate - Amends rule XXV of the Standing Rules of the Senate to repeal provisions establishing the Senate Committee on Appropriations. Makes conforming amendments to the Standing Rules of the Senate (language to be supplied at a later date). Title III: Effective Date - Makes this Act effective at noon on January 3, 1995.

27 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the functions, if any, he has in relation to travelling people as compared to the functions vested in the Minister for the Environment.

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 28 April 1993

27 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the functions, if any, he has in relation to travelling people as compared to the functions vested in the Minister for the Environment.

To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act relating to civil penalties.

United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1993

Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to increase the maximum amount of administrative penalties authorized to be assessed for violations of such Act. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to order that a portion of an administrative or civil penalty be spent by the violator for carrying out supplemental environmental projects which involve water pollution prevention or reduction, environmental restoration, environmental auditing, and public awareness.

Gulf of Mexico Economic and Environmental Protection Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1993

Gulf of Mexico Economic and Environmental Protection Act of 1993 - Authorizes an interagency program for the preservation and protection of the economic and environmental resources of the Gulf of Mexico, to be known as the Gulf of Mexico Program. Designates the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the lead agency of the Program. Establishes a Gulf of Mexico Program Office within EPA, to be located in a Gulf State. Requires the President to establish a Gulf of Mexico Executive Board. Directs the Board to establish a Gulf Citizens Advisory Committee. Directs the Board to: (1) develop a preliminary comprehensive joint plan for the Gulf to recommend a mechanism for balancing priority actions to address Gulf economic and environmental problems; and (2) report to the Congress on the impact of environmental quality on the economic viability of the Gulf. Directs the EPA Administrator to develop a final plan similar to the preliminary plan. Requires Federal agencies represented on the Board and appropriate non-federal and private entities to carry out the plan. Authorizes appropriations.

State Regulation and Management of Solid Waste Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1993

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: General Amendments Title II: State Solid Waste Management Plans Title III: Interstate Transport of Waste Title IV: Financial Assistance Title I: General Amendments - State Regulation and Management of Solid Waste Act of 1993 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to revise provisions concerning congressional findings and objectives. Title II: State Solid Waste Management Plans - Sets forth as the objective of this title the reduction of solid waste generated and disposed of during the 20 years following the enactment of this Act by requiring States to develop programs which: (1) reduce the generation of solid waste and encourage resource conservation; and (2) facilitate the recycling of, and the use of valuable resources from, such waste. Requires State waste management plans to: (1) identify the types, sources, and characteristics of solid wastes that are expected to be generated within, transported to, or managed by, the State during the 20 years following the enactment of this Act; (2) ensure the availability of capacity to manage waste in an environmentally sound manner; (3) provide for annual certifications to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency with respect to meeting objectives and capacity to manage waste; (4) provide that all solid waste management facilities in the State meet Federal and State laws and allow only registered facilities to manage waste; (5) provide for technical and financial assistance to local communities to meet plan requirements; and (6) specify the conditions under which the State will authorize the acceptance of solid waste from other States. Title III: Interstate Transport of Waste - Authorizes a State with an approved solid waste management plan to prohibit or restrict the importation of solid waste from another State for management purposes (other than transportation). Permits States to levy fees on solid waste. Requires at least 50 percent of such fees to be allocated to the local government managing the waste. Title IV: Financial Assistance - Authorizes appropriations for: (1) the development and implementation of waste management plans; (2) grants to States for the encouragement of recycling and resource recovery and conservation; and (3) assistance to rural communities for solid waste management.

Environmental Finance Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1993

Environmental Finance Act of 1993 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish: (1) an Environmental Financial Advisory Board to provide expert advice on issues affecting the costs and financing of environmental activities at the Federal, State, and local levels; and (2) Environmental Finance Centers in each of the ten Federal regions. Authorizes the Centers to: (1) provide training of State and local officials; (2) publish materials relating to financing of environmental infrastructure; (3) conduct conferences and advisory panels on specific environmental finance issues; (4) establish information services; (5) generate case studies and reports; (6) develop surveys of financial issues and needs of State and local governments; (7) identify financial programs and alternative financial mechanisms for training purposes; (8) hold public meetings; and (9) collaborate and exchange information. Authorizes appropriations.

Water Supply Construction Assistance Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1993

Water Supply Construction Assistance Act of 1993 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to make grants to States for establishing water supply construction accounts in State water pollution control revolving loan fund programs to provide assistance for the construction, rehabilitation, and improvement of water supply systems. Sets forth specific requirements for grant agreements. Applies certain provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act regarding authorized uses of water pollution control revolving funds, corrective action, and auditing, reporting, and fiscal controls to water supply construction accounts. Sets forth amounts to be allotted to States and U.S. territories. Reserves a specified amount for grants to Indian tribes. Directs the Administrator to develop and submit to the Congress: (1) an estimate of the cost of needed construction, rehabilitation, and improvement of water supply systems in all States; and (2) a study of the economic impact on affected units of government of the cost of installation of water supply systems. Authorizes appropriations.

Public Health Pesticides Protection Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1993

Public Health Pesticides Protection Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to consider the risks and benefits of public health pesticides separately from the risks and benefits of other pesticides. Requires the Administrator, in weighing any regulatory action concerning a public health pesticide, to weigh any risks of the pesticide against the health risks to be controlled by the pesticide. Defines: (1) a "public health pesticide" as a minor use pesticide registered for use and used predominantly in public health programs for vector control or other health protection uses; and (2) "vector" as any animal capable of transmitting the causative agent of human disease or of producing human discomfort or injury. Exempts from reregistration fees public health pesticides of which more than 50 percent of usage (or at least 50 percent in the case of certain end use products) is devoted to the promotion of public health. Provides for expedited processing and review of pesticide applications that propose the initial or amended registration of an end use pesticide that, if registered as proposed, would be used as a public health pesticide. Provides for review by the Secretary of Health and Human Services of registrations of public health pesticides proposed for cancellation. Directs the Administrator to identify pests of significant public health importance and to implement programs to improve and facilitate the safe use of methods to combat such pests.

Auswirkungen des Verzichts der indischen Regierung auf die noch ausstehende Finanzierung des Narmada-Staudammes durch die Weltbank auf die Umwelt (G-SIG: 12044286)

Germany · German Bundestag · 23 April 1993

Water Pollution Control and Estuary Restoration Financing Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1993

Water Pollution Control and Estuary Restoration Financing Act - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to extend the authorization of appropriations for the State water pollution control revolving fund program through FY 2000. Requires a specified percentage (increasing with each succeeding fiscal year) of such appropriations to be used for capitalization grants for estuary plans to qualified States. Makes States that fail to submit approved need estimates ineligible for assistance. Directs States to establish separate Estuary Accounts in their water pollution control revolving funds, to be used for implementing approved estuary plans. Permits loans made with Account funds to be for terms of up to 40 years or for the useful life of a facility constructed with the loan, whichever is less, if the borrower demonstrates financial hardship. Establishes a State matching requirement for deposits into Accounts. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to make grants for the implementation of estuary conservation and management plans. Authorizes appropriations. Permits certain grants under the National Estuary Program to be used for interim actions adopted by management conferences to protect the water and sediment quality of estuaries. Extends the authorization of appropriations for management conferences, grants, conservation and management plans, and research under the National Estuary Program through FY 2000. Directs the Administrator to issue a guidance document establishing requirements for: (1) management conferences to follow in developing, implementing, and monitoring conservation and management plans; and (2) approving and implementing interim actions to protect water quality of estuaries for which plans are developed. Requires management conferences to be convened for periods of at least five years (currently, up to five years). Permits extensions for an additional five years if the affected Governors concur and the extension is necessary to meet requirements. Revises approval and implementation procedures for estuary conservation and management plans and establishes procedures for interim actions.

National Beverage Container Reuse and Recycling Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1993

National Beverage Container Reuse and Recycling Act of 1993 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to prohibit the sale of beer, mineral water, soda water, wine coolers, or carbonated soft drinks in beverage containers by retailers and distributors unless such containers carry a refund value of ten cents. Requires distributors to collect from retailers the refund value for each beverage sold to retailers and retailers to collect from consumers the refund value for each beverage sold to consumers. Requires retailers and distributors to pay the refund on returned containers of brands (in the same kind and size of container) sold. Directs distributors to pay annually to a State unclaimed refund amounts (the amount by which the total refund value of all containers sold by distributors exceeds the amount paid by distributors to persons in that State). Makes unclaimed refunds available to a State for carrying out pollution prevention and recycling programs. Prohibits distributors and retailers from: (1) selling beverages in metal beverage containers with detachable openings; and (2) disposing of containers subject to this Act or any metal, glass, or plastic from such containers (other than the top or seal) in landfills or solid waste disposal facilities. Makes this Act inapplicable to States that have adopted requirements similar to those under this Act or that have demonstrated achievement of a recycling or reuse rate for beverage containers of at least 70 percent. Prohibits States or political subdivisions that impose taxes on the sale of beverage containers from imposing any tax on the amount attributable to the refund value of such containers. Provides for the adjustment for inflation of the ten-cent refund amount at ten-year intervals. Prescribes civil penalties for violations of this Act.

Federal Resource Efficient Building Materials Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1993

Federal Resource Efficient Building Materials Act of 1993 - Requires the Administrator of General Services to establish a three-year pilot program to demonstrate the acquisition and use of resource efficient building materials in Federal facilities and buildings. Directs the Administrator, in the selection of such materials, to use the criteria of: (1) maximizing the conservation and preservation of natural resources; (2) ensuring that such materials are similar in quality and durability and are cost competitive to comparable, more conventional materials; (3) meeting appropriate environmental, public health, and safety standards; and (4) meeting appropriate energy efficiency standards. Establishes the Resource Efficient Building Material Advisory Board to advise and make recommendations to the Administrator concerning developments and uses of resource efficient building materials in Federal construction and the minimization of solid waste generation in such construction. Authorizes appropriations.

Environmental Competitiveness Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1993

Environmental Competitiveness Act of 1993 - Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to establish within the National Institute of Standards and Technology a Twenty-First Century Manufacturing Infrastructure Program which shall include: (1) the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Development Program; and (2) the National Manufacturing Outreach Program. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to provide grants to State technology assessment offices to deploy source reduction and environmental technologies to companies in the States. Establishes the Environmental Competitiveness Commission which shall identify the ten small business industries that would benefit most from source reduction technical assistance.

National Biological Survey Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1993

Biological Survey Act of 1993 - Establishes the Biological Survey office in the Department of the Interior to ensure the comprehensive collection, assessment, and dissemination of data and information on U.S. biological resources, including plants, fish, wildlife, and ecosystems.

Recyclable Materials Technology and Markets Development Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1993

Recyclable Materials Technology and Markets Development Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) conduct a study of markets for postconsumer materials; and (2) establish an Office of Recycling Research and Information. Requires the Director of Recycling Research and Information to: (1) make grants for studies and scientific research relating to recycling of postconsumer materials; and (2) conduct a public outreach program. Requires each manufacturer of a recyclable product to provide for the recycling of increasing minimum percentages of the products manufactured during specified years. Prohibits manufacturing a product for which the prescribed recycling rate was not met for the preceding year. Prohibits manufacturing a nonrecyclable product if a recyclable substitute is readily available. Directs the Secretary to designate a product as nonrecyclable if it is not technically or economically feasible to be recycled. Authorizes nonrecyclable products to be so labeled. Provides for recycling seals of approval for recyclable products and for products containing a certain percentage of recycled postconsumer materials. Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to revise provisions concerning Federal procurement of recycled goods. Applies procurement requirements to: (1) Federal agencies that have procured over $10,000 of items; and (2) other entities that have used funds appropriated to a Federal agency to which such procurement policies apply. Prohibits Federal agencies, for purposes of determining whether to procure items composed of recovered materials, from determining that a price is unreasonable unless it exceeds by more than ten percent the price of items not meeting the recovered materials content standards. Sets forth: (1) specification requirements for procuring agencies; and (2) deadlines for the issuance of guidelines by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency for the procurement of specified items. Directs the Administrator to review and increase the minimum content standards for procured items every four years. Revises provisions concerning the affirmative procurement program. Requires manufacturers of items to provide vendors with certifications of the minimum recovered materials content used or to be used in such items.

Tire Recycling Incentives Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1993

Tire Recycling Incentives Act - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require tire producers or importers to recycle an amount of scrap tires equal to at least the amount determined by multiplying the amount of tires produced or imported that year by the recycling percentage established by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Authorizes compliance by: (1) recycling scrap tires through reintroducing the recovered rubber into a manufacturing process to produce new tires or retread old tire casings; or (2) purchasing recycling credits. Directs the Administrator to establish a recycling percentage and provides for annual increases in such percentage. Requires the Administrator to allow recyclers to create credits for tire recycling and tire producers or importers to purchase such credits. Directs the Attorney General to report to the Congress on the effects of the credit system on competition within the tire and scrap tire recycling industries. Considers a scrap tire recycling or disposal facility to be a solid waste disposal facility for purposes of Internal Revenue Code provisions concerning exempt facility bonds. Directs the Administrator to: (1) publish minimum requirements for State scrap tire management and procedures to be incorporated into State solid waste management plans; (2) provide for expedited review of State plans which include scrap tire recycling measures; and (3) establish standards to minimize health and environmental damages from the improper disposal and storage of tires. Directs the Administrator to publish guidelines for States for the issuance of permits to scrap tire collection facilities and for facility emergency plans. Requires all regulated facilities to have appropriate financial responsibility or insurance. Exempts specified persons from permitting requirements. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to implement a plan to remediate tire piles. Directs the Administrator to develop a guideline for Federal procurement of items that make use of scrap or used tires. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, to publish standards for Federal departments to determine the life-cycle costs and benefits of items that make use of rubber from scrap or used tires. Authorizes appropriations.

Lead Battery Recycling Incentives Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1993

Lead Battery Recycling Incentives Act - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promulgate regulations for persons who generate, transport, store, recycle, or dispose of spent lead-acid batteries. Sets forth required elements of such regulations, including specific requirements for battery storage and transfers and recordkeeping and management practices. Directs battery retailers to accept from customers spent lead-acid batteries of the same type and quantity as the batteries sold. Requires the Administrator to implement education activities to inform the public about the environmental and safety hazards associated with improper handling and disposal of spent lead-acid batteries. Authorizes appropriations. Applies such requirements to batteries which are transported to or managed by a lead-acid battery recycling facility, a secondary lead smelter, or any facility that prepares batteries for recycling. Requires producers or importers of lead-acid batteries to recycle, for the ten-year period beginning 24 months after this Act's enactment, an amount of spent lead equal to at least the amount determined by multiplying the amount of lead in the batteries produced or imported by such persons by the recycling percentage established by the Administrator. Authorizes compliance with such requirement by: (1) reclaiming lead and using it in the production of new batteries; (2) purchasing reclaimed lead from secondary lead smelters to produce new batteries or shielding; or (3) purchasing recycling credits. Sets the recycling percentage at 80 percent. Increases such percentage by two points annually. Authorizes the Administrator to reduce or waive the two percent increase if the rate exceeds 95 percent. Directs the Administrator to allow: (1) producers of lead-acid batteries to create credits for recycling an amount of batteries greater than required; and (2) producers of new batteries to purchase such credits for purposes of complying with this Act. Applies battery recycling requirements to persons who produce or import more than 10,000 pounds of new lead-acid batteries annually. Sets the recycling percentage at 90 percent if the Administrator fails to promulgate recycling regulations.

Federal Environmentally Efficient Building Materials Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1993

Federal Environmentally Efficient Building Materials Act of 1993 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a three-year pilot program to promote research on, and development of, environmentally efficient building materials through use of such materials in new and existing Federal facilities and buildings. Sets forth selection criteria for such materials. Establishes the Environmentally Efficient Building Material Advisory Board. Directs the Administrator to promulgate guidelines for Federal agencies on minimizing the creation of solid waste and maximizing the use of environmentally efficient building materials.

Global Environmental Cleanup Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1993

Global Environmental Cleanup Act - Directs the Secretary of State to prepare an annual report regarding the environmental protection requirements of each foreign country with respect to air and water quality and hazardous and solid waste disposal. Directs the President to use 20 percent of the aggregate amount of foreign assistance allocated each fiscal year for a foreign country to make loans to enable the country to purchase U.S. pollution control products and services and for administrative expenses. Makes such requirement inapplicable if a country assures compliance with pollution control standards and promotes protection of the local environment from damaging industrial practices. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. executive directors of each international financial institution to oppose proposed lending unless the Secretary of State determines that: (1) the borrowing country assures compliance with pollution control standards that will protect local environments from damaging industrial practices; or (2) the lending will support an industrial program that has the potential to adversely affect air or water quality or involves hazardous or solid wastes but is designed to protect the environment from damaging industrial practices.

National Beverage Container Reuse and Recycling Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1993

National Beverage Container Reuse and Recycling Act of 1993 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to prohibit the sale of beer, mineral water, soda water, wine coolers, or carbonated soft drinks in beverage containers by retailers and distributors unless such containers carry a refund value of ten cents. Requires distributors to collect from retailers the refund value for each beverage sold to retailers and retailers to collect from consumers the refund value for each beverage sold to consumers. Requires retailers and distributors to pay the refund on returned containers of brands (in the same kind and size of container) sold. Directs distributors to pay annually to a State unclaimed refund amounts (the amount by which the total refund value of all containers sold by distributors exceeds the amount paid by distributors to persons in that State). Makes unclaimed refunds available to a State for carrying out pollution prevention and recycling programs. Prohibits distributors and retailers from: (1) selling beverages in metal beverage containers with detachable openings; and (2) disposing of containers subject to this Act or any metal, glass, or plastic from such containers (other than the top or seal) in landfills or solid waste disposal facilities. Makes this Act inapplicable to States that have adopted requirements identical to those under this Act or that have demonstrated achievement of a recycling or reuse rate for beverage containers of at least 70 percent. Prohibits States or political subdivisions that impose taxes on the sale of beverage containers from imposing any tax on the amount attributable to the refund value of such containers. Provides for the adjustment for inflation of the ten-cent refund amount at ten-year intervals. Prescribes civil penalties for violations of this Act.

Tire Recycling Promotion Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1993

Tire Recycling Promotion Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to appoint a Director of Recycling Research and Information. Requires the Director to: (1) make grants to support research and development and studies related to innovative recycling technology, waste tire management, and manufacturing strategies to facilitate tire recycling; and (2) collect and disseminate information on tire reclamation technologies and markets for used tires. Directs the Secretary to work to increase economic opportunities for tire recycling. Authorizes appropriations.

Newsprint Recycling Incentives Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1993

Newsprint Recycling Incentives Act - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require producers or importers of newsprint to recycle an amount of newsprint equal to the amount determined by multiplying the amount of newsprint produced or imported annually by the recycling percentage established by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Authorizes compliance with this Act by: (1) recycling (through deinking) newsprint; (2) purchasing recycled newsprint to combine with shipments of virgin newsprint; or (3) purchasing recycling credits under this Act. Requires the recycling percentage to be at least 20 percent. Provides for increases in such percentage of two points annually for the next ten years. Requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations to allow newsprint producers or importers to create or purchase recycling credits. Applies recycling requirements to persons who produce or import more than ten tons of newsprint annually. Sets the recycling percentage at 20 percent if the Administrator fails to promulgate such regulations. Prescribes civil penalties for violations of this Act. Directs the Administrator to submit to the Congress and implement a plan for the recycling of post-consumer high grade paper. Authorizes appropriations.

Expressing the sense of the Congress with respect to creating a fair world economic system by encouraging foreign countries to enact and enforce laws safeguarding local environments.

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1993

Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Secretary of State should identify the foreign countries that either do not have effective laws protecting the local environment from polluting and environmentally destructive industrial and agricultural practices or do not adequately and constructively enforce the laws; and (2) the President should enter into international agreements with such countries to promote the development and enforcement of such laws and to improve the mechanisms under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade to provide a more expeditious response to complaints regarding the environmental practices of participating countries.

Verhalten der Bundesregierung und der Treuhandanstalt in bezug auf den Verkauf der Abfalldeponie Schönberg an das Land Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (G-SIG: 12001440)

Germany · German Bundestag · 22 April 1993

Aussprache auf Verlangen der Gruppe der PDS/LL, unabhängig von einer Fragestunde

Chesapeake Bay Restoration Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1993

Chesapeake Bay Restoration Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) continue the Chesapeake Bay Program; and (2) maintain a Chesapeake Bay Program Office. Requires the Office to support the Chesapeake Executive Council (signatories of the Chesapeake Bay Agreement to protect the Bay) by: (1) implementing activities that support the Program; (2) making available information pertaining to the environmental quality and living resources of the Bay; (3) assisting the signatories in implementing action plans to carry out Agreement authorities; (4) assisting in the development of strategies to improve Bay water quality and living resources; and (5) implementing outreach programs to foster stewardship of the Bay. Establishes a Chesapeake Bay Federal Agencies Committee to coordinate Federal activities relating to the restoration of the Bay. Requires Federal agencies to report to the President on activities planned and undertaken, and resources provided, to meet responsibilities under the Program. Directs Federal agencies that own or operate facilities within the Bay watershed to assess the facilities to ensure compliance with the Program (specifically identifying impacts on Bay water quality or living resources) and include a plan for addressing such impacts in the report to the President. Requires the Administrator to: (1) implement a research, monitoring, and data collection program to assess the environmental quality and living resources of the major tributaries, rivers, and streams within the Bay watershed and assist in the development of management plans for such tributaries; and (2) establish a habitat restoration and design program in the watershed to demonstrate low-cost techniques for restoring wetlands, forest riparian zones, and other Bay habitats. Authorizes grants to public or private entities to carry out such programs. Directs the Administrator to implement a basinwide toxics reduction strategy, as well as research and monitoring to improve understanding of intermedia transfers of toxic pollutants and the ultimate fate of the pollutants within the Bay ecosystem. Authorizes financial assistance for specified activities. Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Program and related interstate development plan grants. Authorizes appropriations for activities not covered under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.

National Clean Water Trust Fund Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1993

National Clean Water Trust Fund Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish a National Clean Water Trust Fund to be composed of monies obtained through enforcement actions. Makes the Fund available for projects to restore waters from damages resulting from violations of such Act and from the discharge of pollutants. Authorizes the use of civil penalties obtained under such Act for mitigation projects.

Sexual Harassment Free Schools Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1993

Sexual Harassment Free Schools Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to include an environment free from sexual harassment and abuse as a distinguishing feature of effective schools (under provsions for funds for effective schools programs). Adds programs to address sexual harassment and violence as part of efforts to ensure that educational institutions are free from threats to student and employee safety (among programs which may receive Women's Educational Equity assistance). Includes the areas of sexual harassment and assault among those for which grants for comprehensive school health education may be used.

Gender Equity in Education Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1993

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Women's Educational Equity Title II: Gender Equity in Elementary and Secondary Education Title III: Gender Equity in Higher Education Gender Equity in Education Act of 1993 - Title I: Women's Educational Equity - Amends the Department of Education Organization Act to establish an Office of Women's Equity as an organizational entity in the Department of Education. Requires the Director of such Office to report annually on the programs and activities assisted under the Women's Educational Equity Act. Women's Educational Equity Act of 1993 - Amends the Women's Educational Equity Act (part A of title IV of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965) to reauthorize and revise grant programs to encourage gender equity throughout the educational system, including grants for model equity programs, local implementation, and research and development. Gives the Director of the Office of Women's Equity specified responsibilities under such Act. Extends the authorization of appropriations. Title II: Gender Equity in Elementary and Secondary Education - Subtitle A: Teacher Equity Training - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to establish gender equity requirements and training programs for teachers and other educational personnel (or parents) with respect to: (1) basic program requirements (under chapter 1 of title I for educationally disadvantaged children), innovative projects, schoolwide projects, parental involvement, and program improvement; (2) use of Even Start program funds; (3) secondary school programs (for basic skills improvement and dropout prevention and reentry); (4) local targeted assistance programs (under chapter 2 educational improvement partnership); (5) Eisenhower Mathematics and Science program school teacher training and national programs; (6) Women's Educational Equity personnel training and career education programs; (7) gifted and talented students personnel training; and (8) computer-based instruction personnel training under the Secretary's fund for innovation in education. Subtitle B: Gender Equity in Math and Science - Amends ESEA to revise the Eisenhower Mathematics and Science Education program with respect to: (1) grants to higher education institutions for elementary and secondary mathematics and science programs of school teacher training in gender-equitable instruction, targeted intervention and followup to encourage historically underserved students, and community-based informal education for historically underserved and underrepresented students; and (2) national model program grant priority for gender equity in computer use and teaching practices. Subtitle C: Dropout Prevention for Pregnant and Parenting Teens - Amends ESEA with respect to pregnant teenagers, teenage parents, and the children of such teenagers under various programs, including: (1) Even Start programs; (2) secondary school programs for basic skills improvement and dropout prevention and reentry; (3) local targeted assistance programs; (4) State and local drug abuse education and prevention programs; (5) assistance to address school dropout problems; and (6) assistance to provide basic skills improvement. Subtitle D: Schools Free from Sexual Harassment and Abuse - Amends ESEA to make an environment free from sexual harassment and abuse a distinguishing feature of effective schools. Adds programs to address sexual harassment and violence as part of efforts to ensure that educational institutions are free from threats to student and employee safety (among programs which may be receive Women's Educational Equity assistance). Includes the areas of sexual harassment and assault among those for which grants for comprehensive school health education may be used. Subtitle E: Link-up for Learning - Establishes a program of three-year grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) in partnership with other eligible entities for up to 80 percent of the costs of coordinated educational and other student support services for at-risk youth. Makes eligible for such a grant: (1) an LEA that seeks to plan and implement a coordinated services program for at-risk students with at least one other cooperating public agency; and (2) a consortium, including at least one LEA and one cooperating public service agency, formed to coordinate support services for at-risk students. Allows nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, and private enterprises with special experience or expertise to participate as cooperating agencies. Establishes a Federal Interagency Task Force to identify means to facilitate interagency collaboration at Federal, State, and local levels to improve support services for at-risk students. Directs the Secretary of Education to study and report to the Congress on regulatory and legislative obstacles to coordinated support services and innovative procedures and programs. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle F: Child Abuse Education and Prevention - Amends ESEA to direct the Secretary of Education to use specified funds to carry out programs for child abuse education and prevention curriculum development and teacher training, including a demonstration program. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle G: Data Collection - Amends ESEA to revise various data collection provisions to require collection, cross-tabulation, and reporting by sex within race or ethnicity and socioeconomic status (with respect to schoolwide projects, program improvement, secondary school programs, National Diffusion Network, evaluations and reporting, Eisenhower Mathematics and Science programs, State reports, assistance to address school dropout problems, and evaluations by the Secretary). Title III: Gender Equity in Higher Education - Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions of higher education to disclose gender participation rates and program support expenditures in college athletic programs to prospective students and, upon request, to the public. Directs the Secretary of Education to compile and publish annual reports of such data submitted by the institutions.

Chesapeake Bay Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1993

Chesapeake Bay Protection Act - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate an amendment to the hazard ranking system under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to require such system to be applied to areas under the Chesapeake Bay Program in the same manner as the system is applied to areas under the National Estuary Program. Requires such areas, at a minimum, to be considered environmentally sensitive and assigned the same rating value as areas under the estuary program.

To amend the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to prohibit the use of solid waste as fuel for any incinerator being used for the destruction of polychlorinated biphenyls or other hazardous substances and to require the Environmental Protection Agency to review and research methods of disposal and storage of polychlorinated biphenyls.

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1993

Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to prohibit solid waste from being used as fuel in any incinerator being used for: (1) the destruction of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) or other hazardous substances from a facility subject to a response action under CERCLA; or (2) the implementation of a response action under CERCLA. Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) review methods for disposal and long-term storage of PCBs; and (2) establish a research program on additional methods for disposal, long-term storage, and other means of containing and preventing PCB contamination. Authorizes appropriations.

A bill for the relief of land grantors in Henderson, Union, and Webster Counties, Kentucky, and their heirs.

United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1993

Minor Use Crop Protection Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to define "minor use" as the use of a pesticide on an animal or commercial agricultural crop or site or for public health protection where: (1) the total U.S. acreage for the crop is fewer than 300,000 acres; or (2) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency determines that the use does not provide sufficient economic incentive to support the initial or continuing registration of a pesticide for such use and there are insufficient alternatives available for the use, any one of the alternatives poses greater environmental or health risks, or the pesticide plays or will play a significant part in managing pest resistance or in an integrated pest management program. Extends the period of exclusive data use for data submitted to support original registration applications for pesticides for an additional year for each three minor uses registered after this Act's enactment and before the expiration of the period of exclusive use, up to a total of three additional years for all minor uses registered by the Administrator if the Administrator determines that: (1) there are insufficient alternatives available for the use or any one of the alternatives poses greater environmental or health risks; or (2) the pesticide plays or will play a significant part in managing pest resistance or in an integrated pest management program. Requires the Administrator, upon the request of a registrant, to extend the deadline for the production of residue chemistry data required solely to support a minor use subject to specified conditions. Applies the same extension conditions to data for reregistrations. Authorizes the Administrator to modify or revoke such extensions if the use may cause unreasonable adverse environmental effects. Permits the Administrator, in handling the registration of a pesticide for a minor use, to waive applicable data requirements if the absence of data will not prevent the Administrator from determining the risk presented by the pesticide and that the risk would not have an adverse environmental effect. Provides for expedited review (within one year of submission) of applications to support minor use pesticide registrations. Provides a procedure for meeting data requirements where a registrant has voluntarily cancelled a registration and another application is pending for registration of a pesticide that is for a minor use and is identical or substantially similar to, or for an identical or substantially similar use as, the cancelled pesticide. Directs the Administrator to establish a minor use program. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a Department of Agriculture minor use program and a separate matching fund program. Requires the matching fund program to be utilized to ensure the continued availability of minor use crop protection chemicals. Authorizes appropriations.

DeLauro-Lowey Water Pollution Control and Estuary Restoration Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1993

DeLauro-Lowey Water Pollution Control and Estuary Restoration Act - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to extend the authorization of appropriations for the State water pollution control revolving fund program through FY 2000. Requires a specified percentage (increasing with each succeeding fiscal year) of such appropriations to be used for capitalization grants for estuary plans to qualified States. Makes States that fail to submit approved need estimates ineligible for assistance. Directs States to establish separate Estuary Accounts in their water pollution control revolving funds, to be used for implementing approved estuary plans. Permits loans made with Account funds to be for terms of up to 40 years or for the useful life of a facility constructed with the loan, whichever is less, if the borrower demonstrates financial hardship. Establishes a State matching requirement for deposits into Accounts. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to make grants for the implementation of estuary conservation and management plans. Authorizes appropriations. Permits certain grants under the National Estuary Program to be used for interim actions adopted by management conferences to protect the water and sediment quality of estuaries. Extends the authorization of appropriations for management conferences, grants, conservation and management plans, and research under the National Estuary Program through FY 2000. Directs the Administrator to issue a guidance document establishing requirements for: (1) management conferences to follow in developing, implementing, and monitoring conservation and management plans; and (2) approving and implementing interim actions to protect water quality of estuaries for which plans are developed. Requires management conferences to be convened for periods of at least five years (currently, up to five years). Permits extensions for an additional five years if the affected Governors concur and the extension is necessary to meet requirements. Revises approval and implementation procedures for estuary conservation and management plans and establishes procedures for interim actions.

Hardrock Mining Reform Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1993

Hardrock Mining Reform Act of 1993 - Renames the Act of July 23, 1955, as the Surface Resources Act of 1955, and the Act of July 31, 1947, as the Materials Act of 1947. Sets forth fees for mining claim location and maintenance, including waivers and reduced fees for claimants holding fewer than 50 claims. Amends certain Federal mining law to limit the requirement that at least $100 worth of labor or improvements be performed annually on claims located after May 1872 to claims that are eligible for a waiver or reduced fee under this Act. Imposes royalties upon the production and sale of locatable minerals from any mining claim located after enactment of this Act. Establishes the Hardrock Mining Royalty Review Commission to review and report to certain congressional committees on the effect of such royalties upon the hardrock mining industry. Sets forth limitations upon federally issued mining patents and conditions requiring reversion to the United States. Prohibits mineral activities on Federal land that cause more than a minimal disturbance of surface resources unless a plan of operations has been approved by the Secretary of the Interior. Mandates that: (1) all operations under such plan be conducted in accordance with Federal and State environmental laws and be inspected quarterly for compliance and/or enforcement; (2) lands patented after enactment of this Act be subject to State and/or Federal mining reclamation laws; and (3) financial assurances for land reclamation be provided. Proscribes full- or part-time residential occupancy of a mining claim. Amends the Surface Resources Act of 1955 to subject certain mineral deposits to the disposal requirements of the Materials Act of 1947. Prescribes percentage guidelines for allocation of receipts received under this Act between the Federal Treasury and the applicable State treasury. Establishes the Abandoned Hardrock Mine Reclamation program under which grants shall be made to eligible States for reclamation and restoration of land and water resources adversely affected by past hardrock mining. Directs the Secretary to approve any State abandoned minerals mine reclamation program upon finding that it has the means and necessary legislation to implement such program, and the program complies with this Act. Authorizes appropriations.

Hardrock Mining Reform Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1993

Hardrock Mining Reform Act of 1993 - Renames the Act of July 23, 1955, as the Surface Resources Act of 1955, and the Act of July 31, 1947, as the Materials Act of 1947. Sets forth fees for mining claim location and maintenance, including waivers and reduced fees for claimants holding fewer than 50 claims. Amends certain Federal mining law to limit the requirement that at least $100 worth of labor or improvements be performed annually on claims located after May 1872 to claims that are eligible for a waiver or reduced fee under this Act. Imposes royalties upon the production and sale of locatable minerals from any mining claim located after enactment of this Act. Establishes the Hardrock Mining Royalty Review Commission to review and report to certain congressional committees on the effect of such royalties upon the hardrock mining industry. Sets forth limitations upon federally issued mining patents. Prohibits mineral activities on Federal land that cause more than a minimal disturbance of surface resources unless a plan of operations has been approved by the Secretary of the Interior. Mandates that: (1) all operations under such plan be conducted in accordance with Federal and State environmental laws and be inspected quarterly for compliance and/or enforcement; (2) lands patented after enactment of this Act be subject to State and/or Federal mining reclamation laws; and (3) financial assurances for land reclamation be provided. Proscribes full- or part-time residential occupancy of a mining claim. Amends the Surface Resources Act of 1955 to subject certain mineral deposits to the disposal requirements of the Materials Act of 1947. Prescribes percentage guidelines for allocation of receipts received under this Act between the Federal Treasury and the applicable State treasury. Establishes the Abandoned Hardrock Mine Reclamation program under which grants shall be made to eligible States for reclamation and restoration of land and water resources adversely affected by past hardrock mining. Directs the Secretary to approve any State abandoned minerals mine reclamation program upon finding that it has the means and necessary legislation to implement such program, and the program complies with this Act. Authorizes appropriations.

To authorize certain elements of the Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1993

Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish and administer a Yakima River Basin Water Conservation Program for the purpose of evaluating and implementing measures to improve the availability of water supplies for irrigation and the protection and enhancement of fish and wildlife resources, including wetlands, while improving the quality of water in the Yakima River basin. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities for the purpose of carrying out this Act. Directs the Secretary to establish the Yakima River Basin Conservation Advisory Group to provide assistance with respect to the Program. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the Program. Provides for the implementation by the Yakima Indian Nation of: (1) an irrigation demonstration project on the Yakima Indian Reservation that shall provide for the construction of distribution and on-farm irrigation facilities to use water savings resulting from system improvements to the Wapato Irrigation Project; and (2) a Toppenish Creek corridor enhancement project to demonstrate integration of management of agricultural, fish, wildlife, and cultural resources to meet tribal objectives. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for initiation, operation, and maintenance of such projects and for implementation of system improvements to the Wapato Irrigation Project. Details the instream flows the Secretary is required to provide through the Yakima Project Superintendent, requiring flow increases (obtained through voluntary sale and leasing of water or water rights) to facilitate anadromous fish migration. Dedicates water savings resulting from improvements to the Wapato Irrigation Project to fish, wildlife, and on-reservation irrigation. Authorizes appropriations for Chandler Power Canal operations for the delivery of water to the Kennewick Division. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) modifying the radial gates at Cle Elum Dam to provide additional storage capacity in Lake Cle Elum; (2) providing for shoreline protection of the Lake; (3) constructing juvenile fish passage facilities at the Dam; (4) operation and maintenance responsibilities of the Federal Government for the Dam; and (5) environmental mitigation. Provides for the enhancement of water supplies for Yakima River Basin tributaries for fish and wildlife and irrigation purposes. Requires a study to determine the measures to be implemented to enhance water supplies for such purposes on Taneum Creek. Authorizes appropriations for such enhancement and for the Taneum Creek study. Makes implementation of this Act contingent upon compliance by the Secretary with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Authorizes appropriations for environmental compliance activities.

Drinking Water and Public Health Enhancement Amendments of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1993

Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to enter into agreements with States having primary enforcement responsibility for public water systems to make capitalization grants to be deposited in drinking water treatment revolving funds. Permits such funds to be used only for providing financial assistance to public water systems for capital expenditures incurred to facilitate compliance with national primary drinking water regulations. Sets forth requirements for agreements, including that: (1) a State deposit monies equal to at least 20 percent of the total of capitalization grants to be received; and (2) no financial assistance will be provided to a public water system if expenses could be avoided or significantly reduced by consolidation of such system with another system. Authorizes appropriations.

National Health Security Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1993

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Eligibility and Enrollment Title II: Benefits Subtitle A: Health Care Services Subtitle B: Long-Term Care Services Subtitle C: Modification of Services Title III: Federal and State Administration Subtitle A: Federal Administration Subtitle B: State Administration Title IV: Financing Subtitle A: Health Budgets Subtitle B: Payments to Providers Subtitle C: Revenues Title V: Congressional Consideration Title VI: Private Options Title VII: Expansion of Outcomes Research and Delivery of Services in Underserved Areas Title VIII: Malpractice Reform Title IX: Effective Dates; Terminations; Transition; Relation to ERISA National Health Security Act of 1993 - Title I: Eligibility and Enrollment - Entitles every U.S. resident citizen, national, and lawful resident alien to health care services and long-term care services under this Act. Requires each State program to provide for a mechanism for enrollment and issuance of an identification and processing card. Provides for portability, including mandating use of a uniform claims form. Title II: Benefits - Subtitle A: Health Care Services - Includes as covered services: (1) inpatient and outpatient hospital care; (2) diagnostic and screening tests; (3) services furnished by health care professionals, including medically necessary dental care; (4) preventive care; (5) prescription drugs, biologicals, and devices; (6) substance abuse services; (7) inpatient and outpatient mental health services; (8) hospice care; (9) habilitation and rehabilitation; (10) home medical equipment and prosthetic devices; and (11) approved experimental treatment. (Sec. 202) Prohibits States from limiting the amount, duration, or scope of services except as provided in this Act. Excludes cosmetic surgery and certain inpatient amenities. (Sec. 203) Requires: (1) the Federal Health Board established by this Act to provide, subject to certain requirements, for copayments and out-of-pocket limits; and (2) the Federal Health Priorities Council established by this Act to study specified issues. Subtitle B: Long-Term Care Services - Requires the Board to: (1) set standards for eligibility, long-term care services coverage, income protection, and case management; and (2) establish an income-related cost sharing schedule. (Sec. 212) Provides for the appointment of a Long-Term Care Services Assessment Commission. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Modification of Services - Requires annual recommendations by the Priorities Council regarding changes in services under this Act. Title III: Federal and State Administration - Subtitle A: Federal Administration - Establishes the Federal Health Board to administer this Act and take other actions, including establishing national minimum quality standards and uniform reporting requirements, developing a uniform claims form, reviewing and approving interstate consortia minimizing fragmented care, and combating fraud and abuse. (Sec. 302) Requires the Board to appoint the Federal Health Advisory Council. (Sec. 303) Establishes the Federal Health Priorities Council to conduct hearings and studies and make recommendations on how health care dollars should be allocated in the context of a publicly funded national health insurance plan. (Sec. 304) Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: State Administration - Provides for Board review and approval of State programs. Includes in requirements for State programs: (1) financing of services through a designated fund; (2) designation of a single nonprofit State agency to administer the program; (3) establishment of boards to negotiate with hospitals and practitioners; and (4) freedom of individuals to choose providers. (Sec. 312) Allows States to contract with fiscal intermediaries, in a process of competitive bidding, to administer the State program. (Sec. 313) Provides for waivers for States to: (1) implement alternative and innovative provider reimbursement, cost sharing, and administration; and (2) provide services through a capitation method. (Sec. 314) Allows any group of States to establish a regional consortium in lieu of State programs. Provides for congressional disapproval of the consortium agreement. (Sec. 315) Mandates grants to: (1) cooperative agreements with States for programs, research, and treatment relating to environmental health and health promotion and disease prevention; and (2) States or regional consortia for the establishment and initial operation of the State or regional plan. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Financing - Subtitle A: Health Budgets - Requires the Board to establish an annual or biennial budget for Federal and State expenditures under this Act. Entitles each State with an approved State program to a Federal contribution of the Federal share plus that State's total projected expenditures for services under this Act. (Sec. 403) Prohibits a State from restricting timely access to medically necessary and appropriate services under this Act or permitting queues to form that have the potential to be life threatening. Subtitle B: Payments to Providers - Provides for State payments to hospitals and other health care and long-term care institutions for the areas of operating, capital, and health training expenses. (Sec. 412) Requires the State practitioner reimbursement negotiation board to negotiate with the State organizations representing each of the practitioner disciplines to derive a relative value scale fee schedule fulfilling specified principles. Subtitle C: Revenues - Requires the Board: (1) to develop a mechanism for determining and collecting a premium from individuals and employers; and (2) subject to congressional disapproval, to collect premiums from individuals and employers according to certain requirements. (Sec. 422) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to define "accident or health insurance," for purposes of provisions relating to exclusions from gross income, to mean an approved State program under this Act. Removes provisions relating to amounts paid to highly compensated individuals under a discriminatory self-insured medical expense reimbursement plan. (Sec. 423) Establishes in the Treasury the Federal Health Care Trust Fund. (Sec. 424) Makes each State responsible for establishing a financing program for the implementation of the State program. Title V: Congressional Consideration - Sets forth rules, changeable as any other rule of the House of Representatives or the Senate, regarding congressional disapproval resolutions under this Act. Title VI: Private Options - Declares that this Act does not prohibit private insurance coverage supplementing the services covered under this Act. (Sec. 602) Allows private insurance coverage for services covered under this Act, subject to specified limitations. (Sec. 603) Declares that the purchase of any private insurance does not relieve the purchaser of the payment of premiums under this Act. Title VII: Expansion of Outcomes Research and Delivery of Services in Underserved Areas - Amends: (1) the Social Security Act to authorize appropriations for health care outcomes research; and (2) the Public Health Service Act to authorize grants to local communities to finance health-related education of residents, provided such residents agree to practice in a health-related field in that community for at least four years after graduation, and to authorize appropriations for the National Health Service Corps. (Sec. 703) Mandates grants to expand the availability of comprehensive primary health services in medically underserved areas. Title VIII: Malpractice Reform - Requires the Board to make grants to States for the development and implementation of medical malpractice reforms meeting specified criteria. Authorizes appropriations. Title IX: Effective Dates; Terminations; Transition; Relation to ERISA - Repeals: (1) titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act; (2) provisions of the Internal Revenue Code relating to hospital insurance; and (3) specified provisions of Federal law relating to the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services and to health benefits for Federal officials and employees. (Sec. 903) Requires the Board to recommend to the Congress amendment or repeal of any other Federal program inconsistent with or duplicative of the principles of this Act.

Voluntary Environmental Cleanup and Economic Redevelopment Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1993

Voluntary Environmental Cleanup and Economic Redevelopment Act of 1993 - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to provide grants to: (1) States that establish voluntary environmental cleanup programs meeting specified requirements; and (2) local governments to conduct site characterizations for affected sites at which voluntary cleanups are being conducted or are proposed under State voluntary cleanup programs. Directs the Administrator to provide loans for the cleanup of affected sites to owners or prospective purchasers of affected sites at which voluntary cleanups are being conducted or are proposed. Sets forth loan application and approval procedures, as well as maximum loan amounts and loan agreement requirements. Grants the United States a lien on contaminated property subject to a loan until the loan agreement has been satisfied. Establishes the Economic Redevelopment Revolving Fund. Transfers loan repayments to the Fund and makes the Fund available for the loan program. Authorizes appropriations. Limits the amount of grants or loans that may be used for administrative costs.

Water Supply Protection Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1993

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Definitions Title II: Public Water Systems Title III: Protection of Underground Sources of Drinking Water Title IV: General Provisions Water Supply Protection Act of 1993 - Title I: Definitions - Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to revise definitions. Title II: Public Water Systems - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, if a contaminant occurs in drinking water at a level posing an unacceptable risk to public health or welfare, to promulgate national primary drinking water regulations that establish maximum contaminant levels or drinking water source protection or treatment requirements. Sets forth conditions under which a maximum contaminant level will be applied to a public water system. Authorizes each regulation that includes a standard for a chronic contaminant or requires treatment or source protection to include requirements for risk vulnerability assessments of such systems. Provides for treatment and source protection requirements if: (1) water treatment technology cannot reduce ambient levels of a contaminant to the maximum contaminant level that would otherwise be promulgated; or (2) commercially available water quality analytical methods are not capable of reliable quantification at the maximum level that would otherwise be promulgated. Continues the implementation of existing regulations for contaminants that meet criteria for regulation under this Act. Revises provisions that currently set forth requirements for national drinking water regulations to require the Administrator to establish a National Water Contaminant Health and Aesthetic Quality Advisory Program. Establishes a repository of information concerning contaminants in drinking water and protective exposure levels as part of the Program. Provides for the incorporation of data associated with existing national primary and secondary drinking water regulations into the repository and rescinds such regulations on inclusion of such data. Directs the Administrator to list triennially at least 15 contaminants for which there is insufficient scientific data that may have entered into drinking water. Provides for data collection on such contaminants. Directs the Administrator to establish a National Water Treatment Technology Advisory Program and a National Drinking Water Source Protection Management Practices Advisory Program. Provides for data repositories as part of such Programs. Requires the Administrator to: (1) develop model curricula for institutions of higher education concerning the design and packaging of small flow treatment trains and drinking water source management and protection; and (2) establish annual contests to demonstrate innovative solutions to water treatment and source protection problems. Removes certain conditions on State authority to grant variances or exemptions to national primary drinking water regulations. Provides that no notice or hearing shall be required if a representative of a public water system provides documentation that the system is eligible for a variance or exemption. Directs the Administrator to prescribe regulations to ensure the national certification of public water systems operators and analytical laboratories. Title III: Protection of Underground Sources of Drinking Water - Conditions Federal funding for State wellhead protection areas on a State filling a position for a groundwater protection source coordinator. Title IV: General Provisions - Directs the Administrator to establish a partnership to demonstrate low-cost small flow water treatment technologies that can be used by very small public water systems to meet primary drinking water standards and develop means to simplify State approvals of such technologies. Requires the Administrator to report to the Congress on: (1) steps taken to coordinate potable groundwater protection; and (2) recommendations on alternative Federal legislation to simplify the cost-effective consolidation of small public water systems. Authorizes the Administrator to establish, and award grants for, a technical assistance program for rural and small public water systems. Authorizes appropriations. Extends the authorization of appropriations for specified State public water supervision and protection programs. Authorizes appropriations for grants to States to adopt uniform data repository, collection, and reporting systems for a water supply supervision program. Directs the Administrator to suspend regulations requiring monitoring for unregulated contaminants until the regulations are modified to ensure that: (1) the annual household cost of monitoring is reasonable in light of other needs for public health protection; (2) the requirements reflect one-time sampling and the maximum use of pooled samples; (3) the use of certain analytical and screening methods are fully exploited; and (4) liberal exceptions are provided for in cases where the probability of contamination is low. Authorizes appropriations.

Rural Schools of America (RSA) Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1993

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Rural School Improvement Title II: School Building Repair and Renovation Title III: Evaluation of Results Subtitle A: Assistant Secretary Subtitle B: Rural School Research and Evaluation Title IV: General Provisions Rural Schools of America (RSA) Act of 1993 - Title I: Rural School Improvement - (Sec. 101) Establishes, and authorizes appropriations for, a rural school improvement (RSI) grants program to help meet national educational goals. (Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary of Education, under such program, to: (1) reserve specified funds for competitive grant awards to exemplary school programs; and (2) make allotments to State educational agencies (SEAs), for suballotment to local educational agencies (LEAs), based on relative Chapter 1 funding (for educationally disadvantaged students under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965). Requires recipient LEAs to make subgrants to community-based organizations or nonprofit partnerships between the LEA, local colleges or universities, or area-wide collaboratives of private sector businesses. (Secs. 103-106, 109, and 110) Sets forth: (1) requirements for applications, local planning, uses of funds, accountability, and local advisory groups; and (2) special rules for ranking schools within an LEA by need, flexibility, and coordination with Chapter 1 planning. (Sec. 107) Authorizes incentive awards to individual schools that demonstrate exemplary progress. (Sec. 108) Directs the Secretary to report on the impact of Federal regulations, guidelines, and policies on rural public schools. Title II: School Building Repair and Renovation - (Sec. 201) Establishes, and authorizes appropriations for, a program of assistance for rural school building repair and renovation. (Sec. 202) Allots program funds to SEAs based on relative Chapter 1 funding, with suballotments to LEAs based on number of: (1) children from families below the poverty line; (2) school buildings used for instructional purposes; and (3) school buildings more than 25 years old used for instructional purposes. (Secs. 204-207) Requires eligible LEAs to use half of their suballotment for programs for school building repair and renovation, and half for programs for school environmental concerns and safety improvements. Authorizes SEA waivers of such requirement. Applies Davis-Bacon Act requirements to such programs. Title III: Evaluation of Results - Subtitle A: Assistant Secretary - Amends the Department of Education Organization Act to establish an Assistant Secretary for Rural Education in the Department of Education. Subtitle B: Rural School Research and Evaluation - (Sec. 311) Establishes, and authorizes appropriations for, a program of rural school research and evaluation. (Sec. 312) Directs the Secretary to establish for each region a National Rural Regional Education Research Center, to be operated by the appropriate regional educational laboratory. (Sec. 313) Requires each Center to make direct grants to rural LEAs in its region participating in a program assisted under title I of this Act, to conduct local schoool district research and evaluation of efforts toward meeting the national education goals. Title IV: General Provisions - (Sec. 401) Establishes the Interagency Council on Rural Schools. (Sec. 402) Directs the President to conduct a White House Conference on Rural Education. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 403) Requires eligible LEAs to use Federal funds received under this Act only to supplement but not supplant non-Federal funds.

36 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for the Environment the progress, if any, he has made in relation to the implementation of the EC Directive on packaging.

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 1 April 1993

36 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for the Environment the progress, if any, he has made in relation to the implementation of the EC Directive on packaging.

32 Miss Quill asked the Minister for the Environment if, after ten years of optional operations of the scheme whereby 1 per cent of the overall cost of public building projects may be allocated to the creation of works of art, he will place it on a mandatory basis; the number of works which have been initiated as a result of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 1 April 1993

32 Miss Quill asked the Minister for the Environment if, after ten years of optional operations of the scheme whereby 1 per cent of the overall cost of public building projects may be allocated to the creation of works of art, he will place it on a mandatory basis; the number of works which have been initiated as a result of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

28 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment if he will give details of the uses to which the EC Cohesion Fund is to be put; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 1 April 1993

28 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment if he will give details of the uses to which the EC Cohesion Fund is to be put; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

36 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for the Environment the progress, if any, he has made in relation to the implementation of the EC Directive on packaging.

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 1 April 1993

36 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for the Environment the progress, if any, he has made in relation to the implementation of the EC Directive on packaging.